The Catholic Church announced additional mortal sins this week. The original ones were gluttony, greed, sloth, envy, wrath, lust, and pride.
It seems like the original seven were a good foundation. All of the contemporary sins seem to fall under the original umbrella. I mean, isn't "becoming obscenely wealthy" covered under greed? It just seems like these items are poor choices rather than sins. What about just adding "thou shalt not be a Dumbass?" It seems if we had a ruling from on high to instruct people to be considerate, kind and cautious, we would be on the right track. Of course, both of these scenarios require people to listen and contemplate what is right or wrong, good or bad.
More importantly, will there be a sequel to Seven now? Will Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman reunite to hunt down a serial killer who kills scientists, a man in a Hummer, Bill Gates, and Amy Winehouse?
4 comments:
You know what makes me crazy about an "updated" mortal sins list? The Church is picking and choosing what it wants to update, and it's making some poor choices. You're right-original sins covered all the new ones, whereas the policy of women as priests could use some updating. Or the policy of what to do with a priest who is a sex offender - since they currently just move him to another parish, that rule should get some updating, too.
By the way, I will see you in hell.
I guess I'll join this little pre-hell-club. This seems to be a random choice and - according to my opinion - the Catholic church shouldn't be shouting this out too loud. Isn't the Pope a f***ing wealthy person??
I don't want to necessarily bash the Catholic church. I'm not Catholic, and there are definitely things with which disagree, but I'm just old-fashioned. I think it looks more forced to try to "update" the sins when the old ones are still just as relevant. Scripture isn't updated. There's no rewrite of the Bible.
Husband said it's a way the church is trying to relate with people today, but I think it ends up being a mockery to those who do not believe and something people already believe if they are religious. I'm not saying they shouldn't be against social injustice or sharing of wealth, it's mostly the wording of calling them the new moral sins. In terms of genetic manipulation and pollution, my thoughts aside, it seems like the church is pushing its own agenda. I'd rather there be more subtlety. Of course, this is also supported by the way I like to be taught religion. I'd rather be taught through sermons/homilies rather than be taught by a list of rules. I hate being told what to do. :)
April -
You are about to discover where I got my nickname that I use on Susan's blog!
I have to agree with you April... The Bible says that God is the same - yesterday, today and tomorrow! So there are no really "NEW" sins under the sun. I do believe that everything on the "NEW" list is covered under the original list. However, some of the "NEW" sins seem to be poorly defined - ""Thou shalt not take drugs", for example.
The Bible also says "To him (or her!) who knoweth to do right and doeth it not, to him it is sin"
I especially liked your comment about [i] "It seems if we had a ruling from on high to instruct people to be considerate, kind and cautious, we would be on the right track"[/i]
I think that is exactly the message of the Golden Rule "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." ...and the command to "Love your neighbor as you love your self."
The bad news is - I am a sinner. I deserve to go to Hell ...as the just punishment for my sin.
The GOOD News is... that isn't the end of the story. God is able to forgive every one of those sins. If we agree with Him - that what he calls Sin [/i]IS[/i] Sin - then he is righteous and just to forgive us our sin.
The only Sin He doesn't forgive is that of a sinner who is proud of his sin and who argues with God's definition of Sin. If in our pride we declare our wrong to be right ...and defend our right to continue in our sin as being just and proper ....well that is unforgiveable ...until we change our mind and decide that God is right.
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