Deadly Sins SelfDestructive Behaviors A sin in the

Deadly Sins

Self-Destructive Behaviors • A "sin" in the context of Thomas of Aquinas, can be defined as "something human beings do which causes them to be unreasonable and unhappy. " • Another way to define "sin" is Sin is an offense against reason, truth, and right conscience; it is failure in genuine love for God and neighbor caused by a perverse attachment to certain goods. It wounds the nature of man and injures human solidarity. It has been defined as "an utterance, a deed, or a desire contrary to the eternal law. "

The Seven Deadly Sins A painting by Hieronymus Bosch A painting • c. 1485 (50 Kb); Prado, Madrid • depicts scenes of worldly transgressions • The circular layout with god in the center represents gods all seeing eye - No sin goes unnoticed. • In the corners of the image appear the "Four Last Things" mentioned in late medieval spiritual handbooks: Deathbed, the Last Judgment, Heaven, and Hell, all of which are favorite themes of separate Bosch panels. (The next slide is a clearer picture of Bosch’s famous work. )

Pope Gregory the Great • Pope Gregory the Great revived the idea of "The Seven Deadly Sins" in the sixth century. • He listed the spiritual offenses with Pride being the first and gravest of the seven because it can lead to the other six. • The seven deadly sins are usually committed against one's self and can destroy a person's physical and spiritual health.

Capital Vices During the 13 th century, the Roman Catholic Church incorporated these sins into its teaching. The church called them "capital vices" that can lead to sin. Literature such as Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" and various paintings have illustrated the seven deadly sins.

1. PRIDE/Vanity (a desire to be important or attractive to others) • A person thinks he/she already "knows it all" and "has it all". • Pride is a sin when it is in excess because it prevents one from growing and evolving, and from accepting oneself and others fairly and realistically.

Pride/Vanity • Why you do it: Well-meaning elementary school teachers told you to "believe in yourself. " • Your punishment in Hell will be: You'll be broken on the wheel. • Associated symbols & suchlike: Pride is linked with the color violet.

Vanity: Vanity the Narcissus myth • In Greek mythology, Narcissus was an extremely beautiful young man who was young man who obsessed with his own beauty. • When he saw his face in the water, he fell in love with it and could not stop looking at the reflection. • He gradually turned into a flower, now commonly known as Narcissus.

2. GREED/AVARICE (a desire to possess more than one has need or use for. ) • One allows material items control his/her items sense of contentment. • People under the influence of greed want more and are never satisfied

Greed • Why you do it: You live in possibly the most pampered, consumerist society since the Roman Empire. • Your punishment in Hell will be: You'll be boiled alive in oil. Bear in mind that it's the finest, most luxurious boiling oil that money can buy, but it's still boiling. • Associated symbols & suchlike: Greed is linked with the color yellow.

3. ENVY (resentment of others for their possessions; jealous competitiveness. ) • Those suffering from envy wish they were someone else because of the qualities and/or possessions a person has. • Instead of honoring what they do have, they dishonor the gift of life they were given by being dissatisfied with it.

Envy • Why you do it: Because other people are so much luckier, smarter, more attractive, and better than you. • Your punishment in Hell will be: You'll be put in freezing water. • Associated symbols & suchlike: Envy is linked with the color green.

4. ANGER/Wrath (Uncontrollable feelings of resentment, revenge or even denial, it is also known as Wrath. ) One becomes angry at someone or something to the point that one loses control over actions and words. • rage, fury, ire, wrath, resentment, indignation, offense, rant, temper, seethe, livid, annoyance, antagonism, rile… “Anger and intolerance are the twin enemies of correct understanding. ” --Mahatma Gandhi

Anger/Wrath • Why you do it: You're wired for it. Also, the people around you are pretty damn irritating. • Your punishment in Hell will be: You'll be dismembered alive. • Associated symbols & suchlike: Anger is linked with the color red.

5. Lust Sexual desires that disrespect the dignity of self and others • Sufferers of lust may have a strong sexual attraction towards a person and can't get him/her out of their minds.

Lust • Why you do it: Oh, please. • Your punishment in Hell will be: You'll be smothered in fire and brimstone. Not kisses. • Associated symbols & suchlike: Lust is linked with the color blue.

6. GLUTTONY eating for pleasure; overindulgence in food, drink or intoxicants • Instead of being satisfied with what one has, he/she wants more, more. • The chief error about Gluttony is to think it only pertains to food. Some people can't have enough toys, television, entertainment, sex, or company. • It is about an excess of anything.

Gluttony • Why you do it: Because you were weaned improperly as an infant. • Your punishment in Hell will be: You'll be force-fed rats, toads, and snakes. • Associated symbols & suchlike: Gluttony is linked with the pig and the color orange.

7. SLOTH (laziness or idleness) • Slothful people occasionally do something, but they only do it haphazardly -- only enough to get it done. • Instead of giving life their best, they give much less than their best.

Sloth • Why you do it: You're shiftless, lazy, and good fer nuthin'. • Your punishment in Hell will be: You'll be thrown into snake pits. • Associated symbols & suchlike: Sloth is linked with the color light blue.

The Roman Catholic Church also recognizes seven virtues, which correspond inversely to each of the seven deadly sins. Vice Virtue Lust vs. Chastity Gluttony vs. Temperance Greed vs. Charity Sloth vs. Diligence Wrath vs. Patience Envy vs. Kindness Pride vs. Humility