Resources for Research
(Thanks to Mr. Noga for assembling this research.)
General Resources
Here are the best places to start for general research on your topics
EBSCO (available in library or in Learning Center under "library" folder on computer desktop)
Opposing Viewpoints (available in library or in Learning Center under "library" folder on computer desktop)
American Catholic - Produced by St. Anthony Messenger Press, this a good resource for Catholic views on all issues of morality. Be sure to search until the "Find Article" search on the upper right hand corner.
Public Opinion polling
Consistent Ethic of Life
Consistent Ethic of Life Network - an association of various other organizations interested in the interrelated nature of various "seamless garment" life issues including abortion, euthanasia, death penalty, and war.
Teenage Sexuality, Birth control, &The Media
Alan Guttmacher Institute - a well-researched, but ultimately slightly biased, site with much data on teenage sexual activity and birth control
Contraception and Birth Control - The US Catholic Bishop's site on the problematics of Birth Control
Human Sexuality: 'Wonderful Gift' & 'Awesome Responsibility' - A summary of the US Bishops letter bearing the same name. Richard Sparks, CSP, clearly states the Church's superb teaching on the sacramental view of sexuality.
Natural Family Planning - A Catholic Update which outlines the major features of the NFP, a process which proposes planning one's family while rejecting the use of contraception.
Media & Sexuality
Ethics in Internet, Communications, & Advertising - Three separate letters written by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications on the effect of communications media on our morality.
Morality in the Media - A site that focuses on the how to create a more moral media. This site has a significant amount of research on the moral effects of pornography.
PORNOGRAPHY AND VIOLENCE IN THE COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA - A Letter written by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, a Vatican Agency. It highlights the effects of pornography on the development of our conscience.
Abortion
Alan Guttmacher Institute - although decidedly pro-choice and the research wing of Planned Parenthood, this site offers some of the best statistics on abortions
US Conference of Catholic Bishops - a clearly pro-life page. It is quite well organized and has great research on a consistent ethic of life
Catholic Update on Abortion - A well-written article that clearly states the Catholic Church's consistent teaching against abortion and why it is not just a matter of personal choice
National Right to Life Committee - the largest anti-abortion lobby in the USA
Former President Jimmy Carter - Carter's first direct statement condemning abortion, as found in an article in the Washington Times
Stem cell research
US Conference of Catholic Bishops - a site that details the bishops' concern over unrestricted stem cell research
Catholic Update on Stem Cell Research - Excellent article outlining a Catholic approach to stem cell research
End of Life Care
Essay on the Ethics of Feeding Tubes - And essay from St. Anthony Messenger exploring the Catholic bioethical teaching on feeding tubes and PVS in light of the Terri Schiavo case.
Physician Assisted Suicide / Euthanasia
US Conference of Catholic Bishops - A clear anti-euthanasia site that clearly explains the Catholic Church's teaching
Catholic Update on Physician Assisted Suicide - A fine article arguing the Church's view against physician-assisted suicide
Death Penalty
Catholic Campaign to End the Death Penalty - A recently launched campaign by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops
Death Penalty Information Center - This site is the most comprehensive online resource for researching the Death Penalty.
Moratorium Campaign - an anti-death penalty movement founded by Sr. Helen Prejean. It has many links for other sites listed at the bottom of the home page.
Pro-Death Penalty - this resource offers a decidedly positive support for the death penalty
Department of Justice Report on Capital Punishment - 2004 Report issued by the Office of Justice Programs in the DOJ on Capital Punishment