Write a historical paper on Social and Cultural Evolution of the 21 st Century in the United States of America as a Challenge for the Pastoral Care of Catholic Church.
Introduction
I. Social and Cultural Evolution of the 21st Century in USA
1. Contemporary secularism in American society
a. Definition and principles of secularism
b. Historical context of secularism in the United States
c. Uniquely duplicitous perspective of secularism in the USA
i. Ideology of secularism
ii. Secularistic organization of the State
iii. Atheistic and lay world-view of Secularism
1. Mainstream media idealization of the secularized culture
2. Individualistic culture (secular person)
3. Promotion of secular society
d. Religious indifferentism
e. Ideological confusion
f. Polarization of social, cultural and political spheres
g. Traditionalists of conservatives versus progressives or liberals
i. Feminism
ii. Racism/Black Lives Matter
iii. Equality
iv. Freedom of religion/speech/expression
2. Globalization and its social consequences
a. Definition and meaning of Globalization and its omnipresent impact on contemporary social, cultural and religious fabric
b. Globalization–liberation or exploitation
c. Social disintegration
d. Social exclusion
e. Economical exclusion
f. Consumerism
g. Individualism
h. Poverty
i. Unemployment
ii. Emigration/immigration
iii. Institutional Racism
3. Relativism of moral beliefs and its practical consequences in society
a. Definition of morality and moral relativism
b. Impact of moral relativism
i. Individual
ii. Marriage
iii. Family
iv. Society at large
v. Culture/social aspect
c. Contemporary moral social and cultural discourse
i. Abortion
ii. Contraception
iii. Death penalty
iv. Same Sex union/homosexuality/transgender reality
v. Covid Vaccine/Health issues
vi. Sex abuse scandals
d. Civil Law
4. The technological revolution and its impact on religious life
a. Definition
b. The historical context of the technological revolution in the USA
c. Use of technology in improving human existence
d. Humanization and dehumanization of technology
e. Dangers of misuse of technology/reliance on technology
II. Teaching of the Church and theological evaluation
of the changes taking place
1. The teaching of the Church on secularism and its theological evaluation
a. Biblical teaching
b. Church’s documents
c. Tradition and Catechism of the Catholic Church
d. Papal teaching (JPII, Benedict, Francis)
e. US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
2. The Church’s teaching on globalization and theological evaluation of this phenomenon
a. Biblical teaching
b. Church documents
c. Tradition and Catechism of the Catholic Church
d. Papal teaching (JPII, Benedict, Francis)
e. USCCB
f. Social Justice–seven leading principles
i. Life and dignity of the human person
ii. Call to Family
iii. Community and participation
iv. Rights and responsibilities
v. Preferential option of the poor and vulnerable
vi. The dignity of work and the rights of workers/solidarity
vii. Care for God’s creation
g. Impact of religious practices on social stability
3. The teaching of the Church on moral relativism and its impact on the religious life of the faithful
a. Biblical teaching
b. Church documents
c. Tradition and Catechism of the Catholic Church
d. Papal teaching (JPII, Benedict, Francis)
e. USCCB
f. Cannon Law
g. Human dignity
i. Natural law
ii. Divine law
4. Theological assessment of the digital revolution and its impact on the religious life of the faithful
a. History development/use of technology in the Catholic Church
b. Biblical teaching
c. Church documents
d. Tradition and Catechism of the Catholic Church
e. Papal teaching (JPII, Benedict, Francis)
f. USCCB
g. Future technological advancements in the Catholic Church
i. Effectiveness and improvement of the Church’s life, worship and function
ii. Representation of the Church by media or other technology
iii. Disadvantages of the use of technology in the Church
h. Impact of technology on the Church’s growth
III. Renewal of the pastoral care of the Catholic Church in the USA. Conclusions and postulates
1. Concern for the deepening and development of religious faith
2. Ways of counteracting disintegration and social exclusion
3. Directions of renewal of the moral formation of the faithful
4. Valuation of Christian media and digital education
Conclusion
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