Have you ever known what was “right” but did the opposite? Have you ever felt “guilty”? When? Why? What did you do about it? Who me? I um… er…. (I feel bad …)

Conscience What were the 3 situations? Choose one situation with What sort of thing was the voice of conscience saying? Do you experience conscience in a similar way?

To define Conscience To explain how we experience conscience To evaluate the importance of conscience What is this “voice of goodness and truth”? Where does it come from?

Conscience is a witness Not following your conscience leads to feeling guilty: like a witness makes someone guilty when they tell the truth of what really happened. Not following your conscience also leads to a loss of peace, because you have gone against the voice of truth, witnessing in your very heart. 1.What is a witness? 2.Write down the definition of conscience and draw a box around it. 3.Why is conscience like a “witness” inside of us? 4.How would someone feel if they didn’t follow their conscience (2 things)? **How important do you think following conscience is? OR How does this view of conscience compare to what you thought it was? Discuss how well this view reflects your experience of conscience. A witness reports what they saw: “This is what happened.” Witness statement are used as evidence for what is true. Conscience is God’s Holy Spirit inside of us, witnessing that what we did was good and true, or not. “I need to do what is right– or my conscience will witness against me!” What he’s doing is wrong!

I helped you to recognise what was right, but you went against it! Your conscience – the Holy Spirit witnessing to truth inside you Who me? I um… er…. (Now I feel guilty !)

Being condemned by your conscience can make you angry and uncomfortable with yourself…so what can you do about this ? Ask forgiveness, & do the right thing (if it’s still possible). Boot your conscience out of the door. Ignore it. This will make your conscience go quiet, even disappear… A happy, peaceful conscience No conscience 1.Describe a time when you struggled with your conscience. 2.Explain 2 ways you could have dealt with it. 3.What did you choose to do in the end? Why? **Why would it be a bad thing to lose your conscience?

Inform your conscience…train it! What could you advise someone to do, so that they can have a reliable and accurate conscience?

“Prisoners of Conscience” HW: Presentation. Research a “prisoner of conscience”. - describe what they have done/ said because it’s their conscience to do that - explain why this is getting them into trouble - do you think they are right to follow their conscience?

Making Moral Decisions as a Christian 1. Be clear about what the issue or problem is. 2. Seek advice eg: Church teachings, role models 3. Consider the options or possible consequences 4. Decide on how you would act and explain why. COPY THIS INTO YOUR BOOK

The Church teaches that it is more important to follow your conscience, even if it goes against what others tell you (even priests!) Why do you think they say that? Would this advice apply to someone who usually ignores their conscience?

What conscience is not Conscience is NOT ……..outside of you, not an angel or devil on your shoulder ……...an ‘it’ – conscience is your very self Conscience is NOT ………unchanging, but must develop and mature ………the voice of God, but the ‘inner ear’ to God’s voice Conscience is NOT ………what your feelings or emotions tell you; not everything that ‘feels right’ is right ………based on your law, but on God’s law Conscience is NOT ………only an accuser, but also a guide ………always correct, but must always be followed

Catholics believe there are two important things to consider when making decisions That our conscience is properly formed we have all the right information and facts as well as Church teaching. If we have formed our conscience, we must follow it in doing what we know is right. God gave us knowledge to know the difference between right and wrong and we must act responsibly Summarise the two important things Catholics consider when making a decision

DILEMMA’S ACTIVITY Complete the worksheet. Fill out the first column by yourself. The second column discuss in a pair how a Christian would deal with it applying the four steps for making Moral Decisions as a Christian