What IS good, and how do we determine it?

[Catholic_Lady]

I am sorry that people are offended by my views on morality. Just so everyone is aware, the only reason I am posting my views on morality is because I am being asked to share my views on it. I think some people might be assuming that because I think a particular act is wrong, I then conclude that the people who do it are bad people. Or that I go around condemning people or preaching or trying to get them to follow my views. None of these is the case. I'm just a person answering questions that are being asked to me in regards to my opinions/beliefs. Not asking anyone to agree.

Well I have to say if that's the case I'm glad to hear it : Won't lie it's kind of a refreshing change from some of the believers I've spoken to before. Most of what you've said is fine, but usually anything involving the under 16's or rape is going to upset well...anyone.

Well for the record, I definitely don't think rape is moral. It is, in fact, one of the things I have listed as inherently immoral.

As for all the bible talk about rape, I will say that the Catholic Church is silent on the proper interpretation of many biblical passages, and Catholics are free to interpret them literally or allegorically. While I see them strictly as didactic fiction, Randy seems to have taken a more literal view. To us Catholics, regardless of some of the stories in the OT, the Church most certainly does teach that both slavery and rape are contrary to human dignity and thus immoral. And I think at the end of the day, that's really what matters. In the grand scheme of things, and as long as Randy and I both adhere to Church teaching, whether or not we interpret these stories in the same way, is just details.