7 Deadly Sins

In old Catholic teachings there are what's called the 7 deadly sins. Most are familiar with it as it continued to be a part of Christian teachings. Now, I am not Christian but I found the classifications of what are deemed "sins" and their corresponding virtues to be incomplete for anyone who utilizes these teachings.

Let me first state that I don't believe in sin. I believe human error is inevitable. We learn from it and we move on. I try not to judge it (I said try).

So what are the 7 deadly sins for those who can't remember that chapter in Sunday school (or those who didn't catch Brad Pitt in "Se7en" this weekend - I actually started writing this blog before I saw the movie was on.)

So the 7 deadly sins are listed below. These are referred to as vices, but I will call them the high vices. Vices are supposed to be counteracted with the 7 virtues. I feel that is only part of the picture and have proposed adding 7 more vices, the low vices, that are the risk of going from once extreme (high vice) to the other (low vice).

High Vice	Virtue	Low Vice
Greed	Charity	Foolishness
Gluttony	Temperance	Starvation
Sloth	Diligence	Workaholic
Wrath	Composure	Timidity
Envy	Kindness	Unworthiness
Pride	Humility	Shame
Lust	Chastity	Repression

The vices are just inherent human flaws. There are those who live with high vices, those with low vices, those who bounce back and forth between the two, and those who are balanced.

I think those in the high vice have stopped caring. Those exhibiting low vice behavior have stopped believing. A single person can stop believing and stop giving a damn over and over and find themselves working the extremes - maybe even finding balance for a minute but than falling to one side or the other. All the while weakening their spirits.

Those listed as virtues are not at all the only virtues that could take that spot. It really is left up to the individual to be able to define their virtues and what it means to them. Know what's important to yourself and use those virtues to defeat the danger of the vices.

A balanced person has learned to look at the vices objectively and has consciously made choices considering the consequences. They live a virtuous life.

By taking a step back and seeing the situation for what it is, without judging, we can begin to make out the components that comprise our individual situation. We can than figure out how to make things better without any drastic changes, but only committing to what's feasible and what's comfortable for us. We can be conscious of our reality without punishing ourselves or others. And the ability to move forward with faith in ourselves or God(s) or both to see us through.

You are not a sinner if you do not call yourself one. You are a human being who will miss the mark a lot in life. That is not a bad thing, it is an opportunity to learn and knowledge is power.

In subsequent posts, I would like to address the individual vices and their corresponding virtue.