November 17, 2012 – Catechism 1954 – 1960
I think there is always some confusion when people bring up the term “natural” law.  I think these paragraphs do a good job of clarification.  When you say “natural law”, some might point to animals and their behaviors as an example of what this is.  That would be a mistake.  That would be what I would call the “laws of nature”.  Natural law has to do with human nature, what humans have built into them internally because they are human.  It is something that is permanent and never leaves, regardless whether it is realized or acknowledged.  Something makes us uniquely different then the animals.  It is one thing that Darwin’s whole theory really doesn’t explain.  If Darwin is right, why would humans send aid to those in Sandy’s path.  Why do we put change in the red buckets.  Why do we punish people for robbing a bank.  If we are all just animals, none of that would happen.  We are not animals on a basic fundamental level and on that same level we have written on our hearts the “natural law”.