The 7 Deadly Sins (and why its not so bad after all)

Seven Deadly Sins ?! OH NO ! (photo courtesy of http://www.ece.mcgill.ca/~elotay/scream.jpg)

I am not sure and thus cannot speak for all of us, but I can and will assume that the topic of the 7 Deadly Sins are not unfamiliar to you. Some of you might even grow up on these principles and are striving in your daily lives to stay far away from these supposedly naughty things.

But look at it in another way, what if the basic essentials of humanity somehow relies of these so called sins to function? What if, these deadly sins, aren't so deadly after all? Let's take a look at each of them, and see if you agree with what I will have to say.

7. PRIDE


"I am so regal, so majestic, so...beautiful..." (photo courtesy of http://www.paloaltolions.org/Tails/GingerCat.gif)

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According to Wikipedia: In almost every list Pride (Latin, superbia), or hubris, is considered the original and most serious of the seven deadly sins, and indeed the ultimate source from which the others arise. It is identified as a desire to be more important or attractive than others, failing to acknowledge the good work of others, and excessive love of self (especially holding self out of proper position toward God). Dante's definition was "love of self perverted to hatred and contempt for one's neighbor." In Jacob Bidermann's medieval miracle play, Cenodoxus, pride is the deadliest of all the sins and leads directly to the damnation of the titulary famed Parisian doctor. In perhaps the best-known example, the story of Lucifer, pride (his desire to compete with God) was what caused his fall from Heaven, and his resultant transformation into Satan. In Dante's Divine Comedy, the penitents were forced to walk with stone slabs bearing down on their backs in order to induce feelings of humility.

Why its not so bad

Is a man not entitled to celebration and joy at success? If a man not entitled to pride in his work? Notice that 'having pride in one's work' has got Pride in it?

Pride is not so bad because it is in itself a reward for the good work that we do. We pat ourselves on our back when we look at a stellar results slip. We feel good when we win a competition because we paid for it with determination and practice. If we are not allowed to feel good about some good we did, where is the motivation?

"Be happy that you have done well because you know you have done a good thing"

vs

"You don't have to tell the world you've done something good, have some humility"

Now, if Pride isn't the issue, is jealousy what inspired the second phrase? Perhaps so. Because even if you are the superhero who saved a city from destruction and had done it without anyone knowing anything, even that smile you have on your face for a job well done is still a think of Pride. Aren't we not even allowed that?

So why is Pride that bad then when all it factually does is to give us something to look forward to when we want to do something good, or succeed in something we do?

6. ENVY


Why you get to be cuter than me... (photo courtesy of http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2014/...a96a54a45f.jpg)

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According to Wikipedia: Like greed, Envy (Latin, invidia) may be characterized by an insatiable desire; they differ, however, for two main reasons. First, greed is largely associated with material goods, where as envy may apply more generally. Second, those who commit the sin of envy resent that another person has something they perceive themselves as lacking, and wish the other person to be deprived of it. Dante defined this as "love of one's own good perverted to a desire to deprive other men of theirs." In Dante's Purgatory, the punishment for the envious is to have their eyes sewn shut with wire because they have gained sinful pleasure from seeing others brought low. Aquinas described envy as "sorrow for another's good".[10]

Why its not so bad

Envy gave the world Plastic Surgery, Lasik, Cosmetics, Fashion Designers etc etc.

Envy is about as important as Greed when it comes to dealing with people who have it better than others. The others striver harder to catch up or surpass those who were once better. There will never be a world full of winners, whenever you find a winner, somebody else is a loser. The world functions because everybody tries not to be the next loser. With try, comes do, with do comes results.

In other words, Envy gave the world Motivation, Competition and Satisfaction.

What's so bad about it then?

5. WRATH


You will not like it when I am angry... (no really you do not, even when I'm all fluffy and stuff) (photo courtesy of http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3482/...fde44a1a42.jpg)

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According to Wikipedia: Wrath (Latin, ira), also known as anger or "rage", may be described as inordinate and uncontrolled feelings of hatred and anger. These feelings can manifest as vehement denial of the truth, both to others and in the form of self-denial, impatience with the procedure of law, and the desire to seek revenge outside of the workings of the justice system (such as engaging in vigilantism) and generally wishing to do evil or harm to others. The transgressions born of vengeance are among the most serious, including murder, assault, and in extreme cases, genocide. Wrath is the only sin not necessarily associated with selfishness or self-interest (although one can of course be wrathful for selfish reasons, such as jealousy, closely related to the sin of envy). Dante described vengeance as "love of justice perverted to revenge and spite". In its original form, the sin of wrath also encompassed anger pointed internally rather than externally. Thus suicide was deemed as the ultimate, albeit tragic, expression of wrath directed inwardly, a final rejection of God's gifts.

Why its not so bad

Let's just say that Wikipedia seemed to be diving off the slippery slope by tagging genocide into this whole Wrath thing. That is not Wrath, that is Nutcase.

The ability to feel and express anger is a fundamental ability of humanity. To deny the fact that your co-worker is always disturbing you with inane banter and nonsense when you're trying to jam up a report ten minutes before the deadline, or that annoying neighbour who belts out the loudest noises in the history of indecent music late into the night. If you don't express some abit of heat that's growing in your belly, sooner or later your brain could fry and snap, and then perhaps a genocide can occur.

Expressing anger isn't a crime my friends, in fact, I'm going out on a limb and claim that only in the face of an aftermath of Wrath can society really sit up and look around them, trying to find out what went wrong.

Remember Columbine? Remember Virginia Tech? Would the American public finally get off their lard-filled bums to really think about gun control and the bullying culture if people don't die to prove the point? In some way, Wrath ain't so bad. The lack of it would prove far more troublesome and creepy.

4. SLOTH


I admit, I feel sleepy too. (photo courtesy of http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k.../SleepyCat.jpg)

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According to Wikipedia: Gradually, the focus came to be on the consequences of acedia, rather than the cause, and so, by the 17th century, the exact deadly sin referred to was believed to be the failure to utilize one's talents and gifts.[citation needed] In practice, it came to be closer to sloth (Latin, Socordia) than acedia. Even in Dante's time there were signs of this change; in his Purgatorio he had portrayed the penance for acedia as running continuously at top speed.

The modern view goes further, regarding laziness and indifference as the sin at the heart of the matter. Since this contrasts with a more wilful failure to, for example, love God and his works, sloth is often seen as being considerably less serious than the other sins, more a sin of omission than of commission.

Wow gee, even Wikipedia seems to agree that Sloth ain't that bad anyway.

Why its not so bad

The truth is out. Taking it slow, taking naps, is actually better than being active.

Sleep Benefits: Power Napping for Increased Productivity, Stress Relief & Health

To Nap or Not to Nap

The Benefits of an Afternoon Nap

Want to Live a Healthier Lifestyle? Take it Slow and Easy

Don't believe me? Try taking it easy for a day or two and tell me if you're not feeling a little better about yourself and feel recharged even for a little bit.

3. GREED


"I'm rich !! Bwahahahahahaha !!" (photo courtesy of http://grza.net/GIS/MoneyCat.jpg)

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According to Wikipedia: Greed (Latin, avaritia), also known as avarice or covetousness, is, like lust and gluttony, a sin of excess. However, greed (as seen by the church) is applied to the acquisition of wealth in particular. St. Thomas Aquinas wrote that greed was "a sin against God, just as all mortal sins, in as much as man condemns things eternal for the sake of temporal things." In Dante's Purgatory, the penitents were bound and laid face down on the ground for having concentrated too much on earthly thoughts. "Avarice" is more of a blanket term that can describe many other examples of greedy behavior. These include disloyalty, deliberate betrayal, or treason,[citation needed] especially for personal gain, for example through bribery . Scavenging[citation needed] and hoarding of materials or objects, theft and robbery, especially by means of violence, trickery, or manipulation of authority are all actions that may be inspired by greed. Such misdeeds can include simony, where one profits from soliciting goods within the actual confines of a church.

Why its not so bad

Greed is the reason why the economy flourishes. Sure its also the reason why recession occur, why the gap between the rich and the poor are widening, and also why you just can't stand it when some rich punk buys the iPhone 3GS and you're stuck with some out-dated mobile phone, spurring you to starve yourself so that you can one day save up enough to get a new snazzy mobile phone.

Or get a new job.

Like it or not, Greed is the basis for financial and economic progress. Without the nature of Greed pushing people to work harder for the sake of getting better stuff, or simply living a better life, progress would not happen. If everyone is easily content, we'd still be in the Stone Age, living simple beautiful lives that only cynics and dreamers often talk about.


Not so simple really. Do you think they're willing to give up their money for farm work? Don't kid yourself. (photo courtesy of http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...SimpleLife.png)

2. GLUTTONY


When you're pigging out, you'd better be sleeping where food is nearby, or at least, not in your face. (photo courtesy of http://farm1.static.flickr.com/6/6261070_e39747d0b0.jpg)

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According to Wikipedia: [/i]Derived from the Latin gluttire, meaning to gulp down or swallow, gluttony (Latin, gula) is the over-indulgence and over-consumption of anything to the point of waste. In the Christian religions, it is considered a sin because of the excessive desire for food, or its withholding from the needy.[8]

Depending on the culture, it can be seen as either a vice or a sign of status. Where food is relatively scarce, being able to eat well might be something to take pride in (although this can also result in a moral backlash when confronted with the reality of those less fortunate). Where food is routinely plentiful, it may be considered a sign of self-control to resist the temptation to over-indulge.[/i]

Why its not so bad

A picture speaks a thousand words:


Cheap cheap, good good. (photo courtesy of http://sg.takemetogreatdeals.com/wp-...uffet-deal.jpg)


I no understand that sentence, but I see food, I want. (photo courtesy of http://www.blogitstupid.com/wp-conte...re-picture.jpg)


I feel so full...so good...so...shiok (photo courtesy of http://sg.takemetogreatdeals.com/wp-...shi-buffet.gif)

Let's just say that Singapore will not be a place where you can find lots of good food if Gluttony is resisted.

1. LUST


Oh no sorry I didn't notice the sock... (photo courtesy of http://icanhascheezburger.files.word...e-sex-cats.jpg)

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According to Wikipedia: Lust or lechery, is usually thought of as excessive thoughts or desires of a sexual nature. Aristotle's criterion was excessive love of others, which therefore rendered love and devotion to God as secondary.

Giving in to lusts can lead to sexual or sociological compulsions and/or transgressions including (but not limited to) sexual addiction, fornication, adultery, bestiality, rape, perversion, and incest. In Dante's Purgatorio, the penitent walks within flames to purge himself of lustful/sexual thoughts and feelings. In Dante's "Inferno" unforgiven souls of the sin of lust are blown about in restless hurricane like winds symbolic of their own lack of self control to their lustful passions in earthly life.

Why its not so bad


Whoever claims that looks do not matter are either a saint or a bald-faced liar. (photo courtesy of http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...ly_person1.jpg)

Let's face it, being creatures who encounter people through visual recognition (unless its over the internet, which ultimately at some point you'd want to know how that person looks like), the first step to getting to know a person would be to appraise that person's appearance in some manner. Be it fashion sense, neatness or plain attractiveness, someway somehow we are judging somebody by how visually desirable a person is before we decide how desirable that same person is emotionally, mentally and socially.


If Lust can be collected as energy, we'd solve our energy crisis a long time ago. (photo courtesy of http://a4.vox.com/6a00c22521f4da8e1d...897c094f-500pi)

Not to mention the ton of fans who salivate over drop-dead gorgeous actors and guy who well...watch alot of anime and find the 2D girls cuter than 3D ones, basically everybody at some point has entertained some Lust.

So rather than being hypocrites about the whole thing, why not just accept it as part of human nature and move on?