Sin hurts!

PopeADope said:

Are you being honest?

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the question you asked was ....

Have any of the vices listed in the OP caused you significant pain, shame, guilt, regret, or grief? ...

Well no, not to me personally, I have felt a little shame or grief when I have been a little direct in response to another and caused them some discomfort.....

But vices as in Sins .... not sure I have many, a little over prideful of the classic car I restored, a little proud
perhaps of my education, or skills as a biomed, technician, or perhaps results as a voluntary ambulance officer, maybe even my classic clock collection....

PopeADope said:

I'm just curious if we are all in agreement here that those vices cause much pain in our world, and if not please do share. Thanks in advance!

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If find that kind of list of generic concepts as being bad or good far too simplistic to have much practical use in the real world. For a start, they’re ill defined (and in this case, much translated and interpreted from their source) to the point that almost any normal act could be labelled as any number of them, positive and negative. Only extreme examples are clear but they’re clear due to obvious intent or likely outcome rather than just a matter of moral wrongness. For example, normal human beings don’t need telling that murdering people is wrong.

I strongly suspect that in a religious context (and possibly others too), this lack of detail is intentional. By asserting a list of generic principles open to interpretation, the priests and rulers (those who have typically granted themselves the exclusive right to interpret them) are free to attribute sins to pretty much anything or anyone they don’t like. After all, so much religious conflict has come about (or being supported by) the idea that both sides consider the other blasphemous and sinful. And, of course, that typically led to lots of anger, murder, lust, rape, theft and destruction.

I personally prefer a focus on intent and likely outcome. A lot of the things labels as sin are subconscious or instinctual after all. We often can’t help having lustful thoughts about someone we shouldn’t. Treating that as fundamentally evil sounds like a recipe for a mental breakdown. If we instead simply acknowledge the lust as a thing and focus of what we can control (not acting on it inappropriately or harmfully) we should be a better outcome for everyone.

@PopeADope

'pride' rarely felt personal pride, but I did recently feel proud when my daughter had a book published. It was new feeling without guilt.

'lust' I have always had a fairly balanced sex-drive, even during my lusty teenage years; it was quite natural. No guilt there. I also was a celibate for 10 years without any lust.(It's ok not to believe me ) Also I can't see any reason why a person should feel guilty for having a strong sexual desire.

'anger' rarely feel angry, but when I do it is justified. No guilt there

'covetousness' & 'envy', I can't say I have ever experienced these.
' laziness', yes I have had periods of laziness where I have let myself down. I do feel some guilt about this, but get over it.

'gluttony', yes I have been gluttonous during periods of depression. I felt guilt whilst gorging, but again when it's over, it's over..

"The Bible condemns cowardice, selfishness, theft, sex outside of marriage, murder, disrespecting parents, and dishonesty."

Regarding this Biblical list, there can be good reasons for most of them, except murder.
I see nothing wrong with sex outside marriage.
Parents should earn respect like anyone else.
I won't condemn some for thieving if the system has failed them and they are starving.(I've been there btw)
In some areas of society, one has to be dishonest, in order to survive. E.g. A gay person in an anti-gay country or an atheist youth with fundamentalist parents.

cowardice is a condition, not something to be condemned. I was a coward growing up in an ant-Semitic neighbourhood, until I decided to kick back.

As you probably realise, the Bible has no authority for me. I go by my own life experiences, not other peoples.

PopeADope said:

The seven deadly sins are pride, lust, anger, covetousness, envy, laziness, and gluttony.
The Bible condemns cowardice, selfishness, theft, sex outside of marriage, murder, disrespecting parents, and dishonesty.

{snip}
I'm just curious if we are all in agreement here that those vices cause much pain in our world, and if not please do share. Thanks in advance!

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None of the listed sins are bad in every circumstance. For example, lust towards your spouse is great, but lust for a passing stranger on the street is not. Engaging in any activity against someone else outside the confines of normal societal mores cause pain.

I loved that move Se7en with Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt. Noteworthy was Kevin Spacey's performance as the weird psychopath John Doe. He acted as judge, jury and executioner.

The seven deadly sins you list were early Christian teachings. I think it's Pope Gregory's list from the 6th century. It's yes and no as to their being in the Bible. What people think are the seven deadly sins aren't exactly like that. “There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: 1) haughty eyes, 2) a lying tongue, 3) hands that shed innocent blood, 4) a heart that devises wicked schemes, 5) feet that are quick to rush into evil, 6) a false witness who pours out lies, and 7) a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.” Proverbs 6: 16-19

They are all sins that God will forgive through Jesus Christ. Atheism, not on the list, is the deadliest sin as one does not get forgiven for it. Think about it.

Hi PopeADope, I've never committed those deadly sins, and I can see how they can be harmful.