According to the text of Gaudium et Spes, the most pressing problem of the modern world is that it is rapidly changing and we can not always succeed in subjecting it to our own welfare. Man continues to gain power through intelligence and it is imperative that we use this power to respect things and people when act. The human race has an abundance of wealth, however it is not equally distributed. A major portion of the world endure poverty and are hungry. This is one of the prominent problems in the modern world. The distribution of power is unequal in the aspects of political, social, economic, racial, and ideological disputes. Several people suffer from illiteracy which means that the tools of education are not being taught everywhere in the world. There is a vast gap of wealth in the modern world. Technology is transforming the way the human race acts and thinks. Advances in technology have given scientists opportunities to improve tremendously with medicine and ways to help people in the world. Christianity should respond to this by acting like "all things on earth should be related to man as their center and crown." The Vatican Council II according to Gaudium et Spes explains that the freedom of man can direct himself toward goodness. This means that we need to be mindful of what we have and try to share our assets. There is enough food on the earth for everyone to eat, however the wealthier in power have and excess amount of food and those in poverty have none. We need to seriously think about our wealth and sharing it with the less fortunate and consider using technology to benefit the world and dealing with the pressing problems of the modern world.
Thank you,
Katelyn Bockin
I think that the most pressing problem of the modern world is the acceptance of all religions and the conflicts that arise between different religious beliefs. Obviously there has been a war going on and the core disagreement that is causing this war is the differing religious beliefs. Everyone believes that his or her religion is the “right” religion and someone else’s religion is wrong because it is not his or hers. Christianity can respond to this conflict by being supportive and accepting of all religious faiths. As a Christian, you are called to live life as Jesus did and live in the light of God. This includes being respectful and accepting of all people no matter how similar or different they are from you. Like mentioned in the reading, we can contribute to making human race more like a community or a family. Christianity is to teach the ways of God and to preach the words of Jesus and through doing this, Christians should be able to find peace between others and help others who are lost. This acceptance would be beneficial to the dangerous religious conflicts that exist today.
ReplyDelete-Nicole Dillon
"Gaudium et Spes" deals with the changing world and how religion has been affected by science, technology, population, urbanism, and more. The Vatican Council wrote, "the human race has passed from a rather static concept of reality to a more dynamic, evolutionary one" and "these new conditions have their impact on religion."
ReplyDeleteOne of the main points that "Gaudium et Spes" focuses on is the dignity of the human person. It establishes that this dignity is founded in the communion we have with Christ. From this we can draw that the greatest dignity with which we can treat others and ourselves is when we see Christ in each other and act accordingly.
Furthermore the Vatican Council establishes that the Church's message does not change no matter what scientific, technological, or societal advances are made. It explains that we must continue to renew our vows to our faith and God in order to move forward in the changing times.
~Nicholas Shields
The most pressing problem in the world today stems from the various ways in which people believe one person is better than another. Whether this is through wealth, race, religion, etc., it is a big issue that comes from this idea of there being a hierarchy in the human race. This piece “Gaudium et Spes” addresses some of these issues more directly, with lines such as “Never has the human race enjoyed such an abundance of wealth, resources and economic power, and yet a huge proportion of the world’s citizens are still tormented by hunger and poverty” (167). Later the piece says “Differences crop up too between races and between various kinds of social orders” (170).
ReplyDeleteIn terms of how the Church and Christianity should respond to this problem, the text offers some ideas that I agreed with. On page 176, the Vatican Council reminds listeners that “many nations, poorer in economic gods. Are quite rich in wisdom and can offer noteworthy advantages to others.” Keeping this in mind, Christians should not look down upon these places because they do have something to offer. Rather, assistance should be given to poorer areas of the world so as to get those people back ‘on their feet’ to help share the knowledge their part of the world holds.
Another way to reduce this hierarchy that is apparent in many people’s minds is to remind Christian’s, as the Vatican Council did, that “man achieves such dignity when, emancipating himself from all captivity to passion, he pursues his goal in a spontaneous choice of what is good” (177). I took this to also mean that a person should leave behind their bias or strong emotions towards different people (whether that is based on race, money, or religious beliefs) and instead do what they can with the given situation in a way that would benefit everyone that lives on this earth.
Tori McAllister
The passages from Gaudium es Spes illustrate many aspects of how our world today has progressed both economically and socially. All of these changes have influenced the human relationship and perspectives of God in positive and negative ways. The major problem with the modern world is its obessesion with distraction and abundance of wealth, resources, and economic power. With so many developing freedoms and developments in science and technology, a change in values has become evident. People have therefore lost their ability to distinguish religion from what they are being influenced socially in the modern world. In one sense, this may bring those to a more vivid perspective of God, yet it also has meant the abandonment of God for others. Despite these growing issues, the Church remains to be the primary means of restoring original values and faith in God. "The Church truly knows that only God, Whom she serves, meets the deepest longings of the human heart, which is never fully satisfied by what this world has to offer". Man will always yearn to understand the true meaning of God and the "very presence of Church recalls these problems to his mind".
ReplyDeleteSamantha Smedley
I believe that one of the biggest problem for the Church in modern times is humankind's focus on technological development. Humans are naturally prone to a natural curiosity towards the world's mysterys such as the purpose of human life. Traditionally, religion and the Church have satisfied that curiosity with its doctrines and explainations. More reciently, technology advancement has been answering our questions, and therefore people have been turning away from the Church and into the entrancement of technology. This is a difficult problem for the church to face because technology has become a strong force behind almost everything. I believe that the best thing the Chuch can do is to remain by its teachings and wait for people to realize the shallowness that only trusting in in technoligy can cause. Eventially, people will be searching for more than just science, and the Church will be there to bring them back to God.
ReplyDeleteGaudium es Spes points out many things about the world and how it has rapidly changed in a multitude of ways specifically socially and economically. The changes that are still evolving and have evolved over many years can be both positive and negative at times. The major problems that are demonstrated in this reading are wealth and economic power, proper education, technology, and much more. Due to these vast changes you can start to see peoples standards transform. These changes start to cloud the thoughts of others and have a hard time distinguishing what the Church calls for and what modern day society wants. Even though this is all occurring the Church still stands strong in its beliefs and can still return values and Faith in God in others.
ReplyDelete-Carolyn Spero
What I most appreciated about Gaudium et Spes was that it tracks man's spiritual adaptation to the modern times and progress. It shed light on the fact that the Church is still very active in our day and age. I also liked that while the Church highlights some particular spiritual challenges man must face today, the Catholic Church's answers still remain the same. It remains firm in it's teachings across all times and peoples...
ReplyDelete-Sophia Pileggi
What I found interesting about Gaudium es Spes is that in many sections it talked about unifying the people and realizing the we are one body. The Second Vatican Council caused a crucial reformation for the Church with many changes, making mass for example more contemporary. For example, mass was changed from Latin to whatever language people spoke in whatever country, and the lay people and church officials weren't divided as much. I feel like these changes kind of make a connection with what this text was saying about unifying and bringing people together, while realizing the change is inevitable and is for the best.
ReplyDelete-Katie Lamb
I think the most pressing problem for the church today that Gaudium et Spes addresses does not lie within external problems of the world, such as technology itself, but within the essence man, who causes these external and worldly issues. Issues like imbalances in hierarchy and rapid inventions of new technology are a major problem to the Christian church; however, these issues are caused by imbalances within man; "imbalances under which the modern world labors are linked with the more basic imbalance which is rooted in the heart of man" (171). These imbalances in worldly power and growth are created by man's inability to answer life's questions. It is, therefore, the churches responsibly to try and answer life's questions so man can find peace within himself and thus create a peaceful world. "The church firmly believes that Christ, who died and was raised up for all, can through His Spirit offer man the light and the strength to measure up his supreme destiny" (172).
ReplyDelete-Jay Garrick
The second Vatican council represents religion's new role in the 21st century in the aftermath of World War Two and other things. The church had to be changed somehow because it hadn't been in hundreds of years and the church used the council to find a new way to impact the modern people. Mass was changed to the vernacular because Latin had fallen out of common usage and the church became more accessible to the general people. Priests seemed less like paragons of God and became people who just happened to have a calling from God. This new church would unify its people so that they all could be loved by God equally.
ReplyDelete-Tara Costello
I think that the most pressing problem of the modern world is the lack of respect for the dignity of the human being. Gaudium et Spes speaks of the unbalance of "wealth, resources, and economic power" (167). It also says, "the human race is giving steadily-increasing thought to forecasting and regulating its own population growth" (168). Furthermore, Gaudium et Spes speaks of the undervaluing and idolization of the human body (186). All of these examples are rooted in the problem of the lack of respect for human dignity. As Christians, we are called to live as examples to the rest of the world by treating all people with dignity. We are to "preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words" (St. Francis).
ReplyDeleteGaudium et Spes laments the turn man has made towards leading an unfilled life. In the preface, there exists a clear discrepancy between technological growth, and man’s own growth. In support of this, it claims that “never before has man had so keen an understanding of freedom, yet at the same time new forms of social and psychological slavery make their appearance” (67). Further, a modernizing world has had its effects on religious views as well. Atheistic views “are voiced not only in the teachings of philosophers, but on every side they influence literature, the arts...and civil laws themselves...many people are shaken” (170). The pathos fostered in this piece is unmistakable: there is certainly a problem with the modern man, and the communities he forms.
ReplyDeleteThe Vatican Council may concede that man has a better chance of developing his personality in the modern world, though there is more at stake if he chooses not to. The church must be an integral part of the life of man and the world, “living an acting with it” (184).
Gaudium et Spes addresses the many changes that have occurred in the world, from a better scientific knowledge of the world to a society obsessed with worldly possessions. This has led to atheistic views arising, and a falling away from the church.
ReplyDeleteVatican II attempts to modernize the church. It changes the mass to make it more modern. However, more importantly, it states that the churches message is the same as it always was, and will always be the same.
Tom May
Gaudium et Spes talks about the ever changing world and how the Church fits into this world. In our world today there is so much going on that there are many diversions away from the Church. There are so many different religions and ways to express your faith that many people are confused as to where they belong or what they should do. In our world today there is so much going on that some people feel like they don't have anytime for Church. Each and every day of our lives we have to make choices. One choice is if we will believe in God and live the way Catholics are supposed to live. The outside world will always be adding new things and moving at a fast speed, but God will always be there. We must remember that because of the bible the Church will always stay the same and will always welcome us.
ReplyDeleteThere are a variety of issues that Gaudium et Spes addresses. However, the overall theme seems to be the ideas that the divisions that have occurred within the Church and the distinct difference between how the world is and how Christian doctrine feels the world should be are causing the major problems in society. These themes come down to the human being - how he treats himself, how he treats others, and how he respects the world around him.
ReplyDeleteTo try to repair the damages done, the Church tried to bring God back to the people. The masses, from then on, were said in the vernacular. The Church began to put more emphasis on respecting the human body, and makes a point of saying that it does not blame advances in science or technology for the problems in the world.
The Church believes that it is up to individual people and their choices to bring the world back to where it is supposed to be.
Gaudium et Spes points out several issues facing the world and how the Church can find a place in them. As the world is constantly changing, it is difficult for us to keep up with neccessary actions. Power is unequally distributed amongst government, organizations, and society. Social justice issues silently cry out for the help of humanity. The church recognizes these injustices, and realizes that it can take the innitiative to transform the world. However, these changes must start at an individual level. If we change the way we value and live out our faith, the entire church, followed by the entire population may take action for change. To do this, we must fully integrate our faith into our everyday lives. Vatican Two made changes within the church to help the faithful do so, such as the celebration of the mass being said in the vernacular and a more sacred view of the body. The church recognizes that technological advancements are good but that they should be put to proper use.
ReplyDeleteI think the major issue that is adressed in Gaudium et Spets is the ever changing world. Currently, it is not as uncommon to deny or abandon God or religion, and therefore it happens more often than during other times of the Church. Additionally, there is a divide among nations due to the advancements of technology. Through these advancements also arises many questions about man himself, and his role and responsibility to mankind.
ReplyDeleteThe Church is able to answer some of these questions by explaining them in relation to God. In Gaudium et Spes, it is mentioned that man is created in the image and likeness of God, and that we are to fulfill our purpose through, and in Him. This purpose is that "the People of God and the human race in whose mist it lives render service to each other." (Pg 173)
In order to solve the issue in regards to atheism, the Church believes that all Christians are "called to be witnesses to Christ in all things in the midst of human society." (pg 189) Through this, the Church aspires to unite all humankind in order to bring salvation to everyone through God.
The most pressing problem in the world today is the way we communicate with one another. I think it causes problems in each society, and it has much to do with the wars going on right now. Gaudium et Spes points out how often the world is changing, and that is part of why I think one of the world's biggest problem is communication. Many people tend to miscommunicate with people which leads to multiple problems. Gaudium et Spes was a very interesting passage, and showed good morals and insights.
ReplyDelete-Elise Ariens
The major issues in the modern world with religion are the huge social and intellectual changes that have developed over time. More people than before base their knowledge on technology, mathematics, and sciences than ever before. Economic status and "high living" is very important to the modern man and even becomes a focus to his existence. The young, according to Gaudium et Spes, are impatient with tradition, question everything, and rebel if they deem fit. Authoritative figures do not know how to deal with this upheaval so it becomes a downward spiral of negative social behavior. The biggest issue is that the focus and values of these modern people have shifted from faith and tradition to money and science. In order to solve this the church wants to refocus the modern person's values to a more faith oriented concept and make faith easier to understand and more accessible. They want to change with the times so they are not left behind.
ReplyDeleteEmma Leary
I believe that the most pressing problem in the world is in fact being able to accept all different types of religion. i think it is hard to see what others believe and to accept what they believe. There have been many conflicts about religion, for example, the holocaust. Christians i think respect all religions and are supportive to what people believe.
ReplyDeletemary vogt
It seems to me, after reading the text of Gaudium et Spes, that the biggest problem human beings face in the modern world is how we can use our technological advances for the betterment of mankind. Never in history have we had so many resources, in terms of wealth, science, and so on, and yet there now exists an enormously large gap between the fotunate and those who endure hunger and poverty. Even with all the "intelligence and creative energies of man" we still haven't managed to find a more equitable way to distribute the resources we have, and many people continue to suffer as a result. It was interesting to read how this document wrestled with the question of what our responsibility as Christians is in light of this inequity.
ReplyDelete--Kat Hermanson
What I derived from this text, and also relates to the last text (Bonhoeffer), is moral. Yes, we should focus on the "pressing problems of the world", and at the same time focus on what is morally right. So many wealthy are selfish and use their money on useless items, when the money could be donated to someone who really needs it.
ReplyDeleteBased in the Bonhoeffer text, the Nazi party would not accept certain groups (handicapped, Jews, Soviet Russians, etc.) and were morally corrupt in manner. The last thing we want is to end up like them, and do what is right.
-Kate Shannon
Gaudium et Spes deals with the never-ending debate of our changing society and our unchanging Christian morality. Although the world is constantly being socially, technologically, and culturally influenced, the Christian morality is to remain unchanged. The Vatican Council is very strong in not changing the moral guidelines that are to be followed by all Christians, no matter what changes are made in the present society.
ReplyDeleteThere are many problems in todays world that are pressing. War, genocide, poverty, and many other not so peaceful things. After reading the text on the Second Vatican Council, a big problem that I read at the beginnign was the one about our ability to have all these luxuries and technologies as humans, yet some still remain homeless, hungry, and malnourished. What you could boil it down to is people with money not being aware of homeless people and looking out for their needs. Christianity can help respond to problems like world hunger by asking those more fortunate than others to donate food at a food drive or toss a couple bucks their way. What these little events will do to you is maybe put you out 5 dollars or so but they will make a hungry person's day and possibly save a life and make a big difference to them. It is small acts of kindness like this that would make the world a much better place.
ReplyDelete--Nicholas Darin
I think the most pressing issue in the modern world is respect for human life. Not just of the unborn, but of the outcasts, the criminals, the elderly, the terrorists, those that we call the "enemy". And it is not just in life and death situations that life must be respected. In small day-to-day things, all humans must be regarded as Christ Himself, and granted that dignity. Beginning in our own homes, we must respect those around us. Only then will the violence and killing and disrespect come to an end.
ReplyDeleteGaudium et Spes rightly points out that the world is rapidly changing, as our understanding of reality is fluid. With the increases in scientific discoveries and availability of information, the goal of the Church and of man may become murky, and so one goal of Vatican II is to reestablish these goals.
ReplyDeleteThe significance of human action is measured by Christ, and the end of the pursuits of humans is salvation. That is, out action ought to conform the Christ. However, even as new interpretations of the NT arise, the way the Church dictates that humans ought to act is quite static, as it is founded on an unchanging document. This is one way in which human action based on science and the Church are not parallel (though not necessarily opposed). Science is changing, and its applications as a result affect our lives greatly.
As for Salvation and the dignity of human life, they too must be taken into account. If science were king, human action would be aimed at scientific progress, and such things as salvation and the intrinsic value of human life would become moot, relatively speaking. However, in the Church, becoming closer to God through salvation is our bold goal, bold because the evidence for such salvation lies merely in faith. One perspective here is that the preservation of human action and motive is necessary for the preservation of the Church, but this is too cynical and presumptuous (because the Church is such a large body with such a long history, which is quite light in recent years). Such a stasis, one could argue, is in fact necessary for humanity. I mean, the world is changing, but humans have a tendency to be attracted to familiarity and stasis. Also, a negative argument would be, even if we were to abandon those things set forth in Vatican II, would we even get closer to the truth or have increased scientific progress? I think not. No, human's capacity of reason seems limited enough that faith is necessary, for perhaps all but the brightest of men. Human nature loves a certain degree as stability. So why not follow the body like the Church? (Unresolved problems arise here of course. While I claim that it is natural and right for humans to follow the Church because of stability, the Church demands the suppression of some of human's most basic desires.
Also, there are many models of stability; the difficulty lies in changing from the one paradigm to the other. For example, the utopia described in Huxley's Brave New World.)
"Of such is man at once the cause and the victim" (170). This phrase really stuck out to me because it really showed in a succinct and honest way the situation the post-modern man finds himself in. The explosion of advancements have led him into a plethora of ethical, moral, and societal dilemmas that have caused many men to fall from the faith and others to stall in a sort of confused apathy. Gaudium et Spes seeks to address this situation with the approach that the Church is bound to take in these times. It recommends what the individual believer should do, as well as putting forth clearly what the Church as a body will do.
ReplyDeleteGaudium et Spes was a response to the entire world for the sake of Social Justice. As the world grows and things change, there is always a need for a response, or revisiting of the foundations of the church. This document teaches different aspects of human life, from the dignity of man to the role of the church in the world. It outlined not only what we should do as people of the church, but what the church also should do for people. It was a document that was influenced by the times it was written in, but it's teachings last for decades after. The biggest problem for mankind at this point is what I think has been the same problem for centuries: human dignity. The dignity of man has been the focal teaching throughout all of Christianity and remains that way today.
ReplyDeleteThe problem that Gaudium et Spes points out is that "man is stricken with wonder at its own discoveries and its power." (p.166) Some of the main features/problems of the modern world I picked out were: rapid changes in our history, power, abundance of both wealth and poverty, political and social disputes, scientific discoveries, population growth, an industrialized society, growth of city living, attitudes, less respect from adolescents, religion, denial of God, and "an imbalance between specialized human activity and a comprehensive view of reality." (p.170)
ReplyDeleteGaudium et Spes seeks to respond to these issues by speaking about the dignity of a human being. By endeavoring to explain God, the Church hopes to help man realize what the 'perfect man' is; because after all, man is created in the image and likeness of God.
~Caitlin Gorecki
Gaudiem et Spes focuses on the relationship of humans and Christians to the society and world around them. It analyzes and dicusses the problems of our modern society as we grow and develop in a world blessed with advances in technology, science, and culture. There are still many problems in the world, however, such as poverty, political strife, war, and intolerance. I believe these issues should be addressed by the Church, not just for the sake of Catholics and Christians, but for the world at large. Christians have an obligation, as well as other members of society, to reflect upon their lives and question the motives of every action taken. Are we promoting peace or anger amongst ourselves and others? Are we mindful of those who must deal with issues such as hunger, illiteracy, government dictatorships, and natural disasters? "The People of God and the human race in whose mist it lives render service to each other." We must follow the cause of social justice and have a strong sense of solidarity for the community of mankind as a whole.
ReplyDelete-Risa Del Eskew
I think the most pressing problem in the world today may be the moral degeneration of society. This is not a problem just for our generation, but for society as a whole. Both the Church as an institution and the Church as a community of believers need to work towards building a society which glorifies God on earth - Gaudium et Spes specifically works to resolve this by focusing on the dignity of man, which is at the heart of injustices against humanity and immorality. If man truly saw his own dignity and the dignity of those around him, and acted in a way reflective of this, many of these problems would not have even arisen. The Church exhorts us to bring our focus back to recognizing man's true worth by using Christ as an archetype and example to follow, seeing in Him the picture of who we ourselves are meant to be at our fullest realization of self in God.
ReplyDeleteChelsey Sterling