Religious education

[Beer Snob-50]

this week, i will be talking to my 8th grade religious education class about building a just society and the concept of social sin (when one person cooperates with another to work against human life and rights). i plan on bringing up the catholic view by many of john kerry's position on abortion and how as a good catholic you are not to vote for him. i was planning on saying that on issues such as this, there are many different facets of a just socieity to look at, stance on homeless, the poor, the disadvantaged, the enviroment. they will find, if they prayerfully think about, that much of kerry's stances will be in line with the catholic concept of a just society. any thoughts? this has been difficult for me to come up with a lesson plan that will be as non partisan as possible but still teach these kids a lesson.

[no_hypocrisy]

1. I'm not familiar with Catholic doctrine. But . . .

my mother taught me there are no absolutes in life, that life isn't black-and-white, but rather shades of grey.

My feeling about your lesson is that it is carefully considered and you are trying to be consistent. Good. Why don't you teach that no human is perfect, and that you appreciate the good in every individual while trying to help with the part that is not worthy of esteem.

Your class could write letters to John Kerry as a personal appeal.

Sorry, I don't know what else I can offer you as far as advice.

[Beer Snob-50]

2. I like your middle paragraph

that we are all not perfect and to appreciate the good in others. thanks.

[BlueEyedSon]

3. You could make a table with issues down the left and 2 columns

(one for kerry, one for bush). That's as bipartisan as possible.

Then fill in each cell with a measure of how "just" the position of each candidate is on each issue.

Don't forget stance on:

the rich
capital punishment
individuals rights
dissent (including amongst his own aides)
heathcare
war crimes/ torture

Good luck.

I think the only "win" here for Bush is abortion.

A Resource: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0452286220/qid=1095266269/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i2_xgl14/102-0898592-6706513?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

[Beer Snob-50]

6. i like this idea

of talking about each candidates views and how it squares with catholic teachings

[AntiFascist]

4. It seems to me....

the lesson from Viet Nam should be that respect for human life and all society, no matter how foreign, should trump any political doctrine and its supposed "defense."

[Beer Snob-50]

8. PERFECT !!!!!!!

[DrWeird]

5. Planning on mentioning...

how "good catholics" shouldn't vote for Bush either since he supports the death penalty?

[Beer Snob-50]

7. this was going to be my main objection to the original point