The Seven Deadly Sins

[+Casper+]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Deadly_Sins

Lust (Latin, luxuria)
Gluttony (Latin, gula)
Greed (Latin, avaritia)
Sloth (Latin, acedia)
Wrath (Latin, ira)
Envy (Latin, invidia)
Pride (Latin, superbia)


I just learned about this in my Theology class and i thought it was quite interesting.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Theology class or not.. You just posted some general knowledge, with the attachment that you find it interesting. What exactly did you find so interesting? The translations into latin? The fact that there are (only) 7? Or should I read the wiki article and try to locate your interests there?

Just my thoughts on this.. your post.

cheers,
Mental

[+Casper+]

Originally Posted by Mental Floss

Theology class or not.. You just posted some general knowledge, with the attachment that you find it interesting. What exactly did you find so interesting? The translations into latin? The fact that there are (only) 7? Or should I read the wiki article and try to locate your interests there?

Just my thoughts on this.. your post.

cheers,
Mental

whoops, i do apologize for not going into greater depth.
I found it interesting that this teaching is practically inhuman.
I mean, to not lust over a woman is very challenging and everyone has a little greed in them especially during this economic problem we're facing today. Gluttony, everyone spoils themselves once in a while with rich foods.
I could go on but i think everyone gets my point.
I posted the wiki article so people can get a quick overview on the topic.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this teaching?

[AngryFemme]

Hardline interpretation:

Lust If it feels good - don't do it.

Gluttony Never take more than you need.

Greed Shame on you for wanting more.

Sloth Work harder! Look BUSY!

Wrath Bury your anger until it festers like a boil.

Envy Pretend you don't want to strive for what others have.

Pride How dare you take pleasure or satisfaction from your own sense of dignity!

***

Then there's the softer interpretation:

Lust Pick one partner, and practice monagamy

Gluttony Excess of anything is bad for you

Greed Learn to be thankful for what you've got

Sloth Laziness gets you NOWHERE

Wrath Shed negative feelings; anger just weighs you down

Envy Don't hate the player - hate the game!

Pride You aren't all that; you just think you are.

[benpari]

Those 7 things are essentially the things that hold you back from achieving higher spiritual growth. They are definitely all things that are inherently human, but learning to control your humanity is one of the main things you need to do to grow spiritually.

[Pandalicker41]

All those can be bad things to a certain extent, but it's nearly impossible to completely avoid them. The Catholic church is fucked up anyway. No one should listen to what they say.

[ArmsMerchant]

Originally Posted by benpari

Those 7 things are essentially the things that hold you back from achieving higher spiritual growth. They are definitely all things that are inherently human, but learning to control your humanity is one of the main things you need to do to grow spiritually.

Very well said, but I have to quibble a little. If by "inherantly human," you mean "ego-driven", I'll go along with that. I don't buy the theory of original sin in any way, shape, or form.

All seven, while not being "wrong" in my book, do hold you back, as benpari correctly points out.

One way they do so is by promulgating the illusion of separation--one of the specific goals of spiritual growth being the attainment of unity consciousness.

[benpari]

Originally Posted by ArmsMerchant

Very well said, but I have to quibble a little. If by "inherantly human," you mean "ego-driven", I'll go along with that. I don't buy the theory of original sin in any way, shape, or form.

Thats a much better way to put it. I consider the human part of you to essentially be the superficial ego and the body, as those are the 2 things that won't stick with you after you pass on.

[Rizzo in a box]

Originally Posted by AngryFemme

Hardline interpretation:

Lust If it feels good - don't do it.

Gluttony Never take more than you need.

Greed Shame on you for wanting more.

Sloth Work harder! Look BUSY!

Wrath Bury your anger until it festers like a boil.

Envy Pretend you don't want to strive for what others have.

Pride How dare you take pleasure or satisfaction from your own sense of dignity!

***

Then there's the softer interpretation:

Lust Pick one partner, and practice monagamy

Gluttony Excess of anything is bad for you

Greed Learn to be thankful for what you've got

Sloth Laziness gets you NOWHERE

Wrath Shed negative feelings; anger just weighs you down

Envy Don't hate the player - hate the game!

Pride You aren't all that; you just think you are.

and the true answer lies right in between those:

* * *

[nonarky]

is bestiality on there?

[benpari]

Originally Posted by nonarky

is bestiality on there?

I think that fits into lust....

[Hiatus227]

Originally Posted by nonarky

is bestiality on there?

Nope, you're good to go!


There are some people that have taken these "rules" to some pretty insane limits. I read about a guy that wouldn't allow himself any pleasure whatsoever. He would literally sleep on broken glass and force himself to become uncomfortable.
And of course there is a direct opposite on that spectrum. You ever heard of Hugh Hefner??

But considering the context of the seven deadly sins, as I understand them, this is what I think they mean:

LUST - I would call it nearly impossible for any human being to never lust over anything. Lust is primarily sexual, however you can lust over anything...and anything you lust over will become better in your mind then it actually is, thus easily leading to greed. In short, keep an open mind on what you want and why you want it. Keep what you want, why you want it, and how it will effect all on the same level.

GLUTTONY - This one is pretty simple, and easy for most mentally unimpaired people to understand, but it can also have one of the greatest holds. It can still be simply put, though, to not TAKE more than you need. Gluttony is primarily focused on food.

GREED - For most people this is easily comprehended. But where do you draw the line on how much you need and how much causes greed? Some would say that they need that extra 5 grand in their savings for a "just in case" instance. Is that greed? As long as you aren't being "gluttonous" with your possessions than it is not greed. To be gluttonous you TAKE without the thought of impact on others. That extra money in your savings isn't sinful at all as long as you aren't taking from others just so you can keep your nest egg.

SLOTH - Being lazy and careless is the one sin that has the most relevant impact on you yourself....usually. If you are an average Joe than you have to work for your way to live. Sure there is the occasional helping hand, but in the end, if you are lazy, it will be your downfall and death. There are the exceptional silver spoon fed of us that are able to coast through life, from life to death, without lifting a finger. Think of Billy Madison. His cost for living the first 30 or so years of his life that way were serious degradation of his character and self-esteem. I believe he was an alcoholic in the beginning of the movie. The harder you work, the greater the consequences.

WRATH - There are so many proverbs from indefinite religions and beliefs that can preach on wrath. The golden rule for one. I have personal experience that a kind word will turn away wrath, evil, anger, etc. Anger is a classic human emotion, but it is always preceded by a different emotion. Fear, jealousy, hurt, pain, etc. I don't believe letting your emotions flow over into anger is the sin, but instead it is dwelling on them or acting on them that will in turn destroy you and others effected by it.

ENVY - Being envious of something does not simply mean that you want it. When you envy a person, or a possession that a person has, you are allowing hate to spill over from that envy and cause you to hate anyone who has that possession. Be content with what you have and don't allow other people's objects to be the focus of your attention simply because they have it and you don't.

PRIDE - This one is different for a lot of people. Some have nothing to be prideful about and thus are forced to be humble. But if you have more than any other person you come into contact with, there is an opening to be prideful. If you are full of pride and consider yourself the best in whatever it is that you do, your ability to grow in that field will diminish. If you let pride take you over you will eventually be at the bottom because others will supersede you with the growth that they are open to. If you stay humble though, there will always be an opportunity to learn something from someone else, and while incorporating that into your schema, you will actually become the best.




This was a shitload of stuff to write. To be honest, I was just spewing my thoughts on each individual topic as they came to me without a fast structure of writing.
After the first couple though I realized that each sin has a constant that transcends being too fat, too wealthy, too careless, too wanting, too covetous, too conceited, or too angry.
It is excessive behavior that leads to every one of these sins, and then death. I believe that those actions by themselves are not sins, but become deadly when they are done in excess.
I think it is Vilbe that has "The roads of excess leads to the palace of madness" as his tagline.

Originally Posted by +Casper+

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Deadly_Sins

Lust (Latin, luxuria)
Gluttony (Latin, gula)
Greed (Latin, avaritia)
Sloth (Latin, acedia)
Wrath (Latin, ira)
Envy (Latin, invidia)
Pride (Latin, superbia)

Isnt it obvious? We all enjoy sinning! all of these things, we enjoy doing, (some more than others) Religion is trying to suck everyhing that you enjoy out of your life.

This is why heaven must suck, in hell, they support all these things!
Can anyone tell why people think heaven is so great?

[Hiatus227]

Originally Posted by wallstreetshuffle

Isnt it obvious? We all enjoy sinning! all of these things, we enjoy doing, (some more than others) Religion is trying to suck everyhing that you enjoy out of your life.

This is why heaven must suck, in hell, they support all these things!
Can anyone tell why people think heaven is so great?

Well it's nice to see someone read my post....

None of these actions are bad in themselves...it isn't bad to take a couple days off a week from working...God even told the Jews to take Sunday as a sabbath day; free of physical labor.

The only thing that makes these actions sinful is the unneeded, excessive use of them...and no one can argue that doing any of the actions excessively will turn out positive for everyone.

[ArmsMerchant]

Originally Posted by nonarky

is bestiality on there?

I think that would fall under "lust."

[john_deer]

Jesus did it the "hardline" way.

Just means we try to follow it the best we can. For example going to a buffet may not mean glutton. but if you are to the point of being greedy and excessive, frequently then you are. Applied more to bible times when peoples pleasure was food. But still today of course.

[john_deer]

Originally Posted by wallstreetshuffle

Can anyone tell why people think heaven is so great?

IF your Muslim you get 70 virgins.

If your Christian you can party with all your favourite musicians, friends, ancestors, celebrities and.....wait all those guys are in hell.

[Railroad Opticon]

I think it makes perfect sense that they seem inhuman. Almost as though they were made that way. It appears to me that the goal of a lot of religious teachings are to obtain godliness by means of shedding your trivial human urges.