And then I realized that I wasn't even sure what the other ones were. Can you remember before reading the list below?
Dante, who I've never read. Should I?
The seven deadly sins (also known as capital sins, CCC 1866) are:
Pride
Avarice/Greed
Envy
Wrath/Anger
Lust
Gluttony
Sloth/Acedia
Because misery loves company, I was a bit relieved to find out that I'm not alone in my tendency towards pride. According to a Jesuit study, women's most common sin is pride. Men's biggest sin is lust. I find these both very interesting. Here are the full lists:
Women:
1. Pride
2. Envy
3. Anger
4. Lust
5. Gluttony
6. Greed
7. Sloth
Men:
1. Lust
2. Gluttony
3. Sloth
4. Anger
5. Pride
6. Envy
7. Greed
And just for kicks, here's a map of how those sins pan out in the United States. Of course we shouldn't take that too seriously, but I will note with satisfaction how "saintly" the Midwest is!
On a more serious side, this website was really great in going through everything about the Seven Deadly Sins, and I learned a lot. For example, did you know that they never actually appear as a list in the Bible? My favorite comment on the site was the following:
If one or more of these doesn't seem like a big sin to you, it almost certainly means you have already rationalized it. Work on that one first.
The best thing I learned about the Seven Deadly Sins is that there are opposing virtues that correspond to each one of them! How great is it that you can ask not only to have these sins removed, but have something better replace them!
Vice ~ Virtue
Pride ~ Humility
Avarice/Greed ~ Charity/Generosity
Envy ~ Kindness/Love
Wrath/Anger ~ Patience/Kindness
Lust ~ Chastity/Self-control
Gluttony ~ Temperance
Sloth/Acedia ~ Zeal/Diligence
I shared with you that my biggest sin is pride, and I have devoted myself to fostering humility this year. It's your turn to 'fess up: which of the Seven Deadly Sins are you most drawn to?
References:
http://whitestonejournal.com/index.php/seven-deadly-sins
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_deadly_sins
Is it bad if I say that I am drawn to all of them? Sin is, after all, so pretty and shiny. No seriously, I think the main ones for me (that I have identified) are anger and pride. After what he said about looking again at the ones we see as non-issues, that would include gluttony and greed. I have some work to do! Great post. :)
ReplyDeleteSloth, I think, although sometimes I'm not sure if I'm actually lazy or just really tired. Am I understanding sloth correctly? I tend to put off doing the things I know I really ought to do and I always think that makes me slothful. Is that a word? Maybe I should read more about the seven deadly sins though, because now that you mention it, I'm not sure I really understand them.
ReplyDeleteHands down, my most deadly sin: envy! Sad to admit, but it's true! I probably rationalize this sin the most. Thank goodness that you added the corresponding virtues. Kindness and love are the antidotes? That *seems* so easy. ;)
ReplyDeleteAnger and gluttony. Not gluttony in the food sense (though if I open a bag of chocolate, no matter how big the bag, I will not stop until it is done. This is why no chocolate anymore!) but gluttony in the sense of needing self control, generally. Not knowing when I've hit the "much too much" mark.
ReplyDeletewell, as fun as pride, envy and anger are, i am a total sloth.
ReplyDeleteahhh sloth. deliciously sleepy....
I would have to say sloth and gluttony (but not so much in the sense of food, but rather things - so maybe it's more greed, but it feels more gluttoness, anyway).
ReplyDeleteThe History Channel had a great series about The Seven Deadly Sins - it was very interesting.
Envy is my biggest stumbling block, but it is an interesting idea to take a serious and honest look at ones you feel are no big deal.
ReplyDeleteBTW: Kathleen Norris recently an interesting book about Acedia and how in the modern world we try and define it away as depression (which may certainly play a role).
Hmm, a little of each probably. I do tend towards sloth and pride likes to come out and play a lot.
ReplyDeleteMine are definitely envy and anger! I have quite the temper sometimes.... this is a great post!
ReplyDeletePride, I'm ashamed to say.
ReplyDeleteI love the map. I'm going to have to share that one!
Sloth and pride. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteAnd I second the recommendation for Kathleen Norris' book.
Mine is definitely pride, and at a time I would have said sloth - but I had a medical diagnosis of why I'm tired and "slothful" so I'm giving myself a break on that one - as I have also been feeling better and much more productive lately. Is that me being prideful and bragging about my productiveness?
ReplyDeletePride pride pride! I've been thinking a lot about humility lately too. I'm not sure of a concrete way to foster it though. Got any ideas??
ReplyDeleteAm I the only sleaze who struggles with Lust? LOL I am joking, but not. I think my biggest sin is Pride and drawing the line on being pleased with what I do/have/accomplish and being prideful about it. But I also do struggle with Lust regularly (and I should interject that in this sense Lust can be a sin within the confines of a marriage as well). Although I often wonder if the real key is the I m so warped into thinking that to be desired or lusted after is a way of being accepted and therefore really more a sin of pride? I think so many women are almost raised to learn how to use their "womanly wiles" to get what they want I feel like I should be more chaste and practice more self-control in that area.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting thought, Elizabeth. I'm not sure how I missed this last week!