7 Deadly Sins (an opportunity for all of you) -- posted to my listservs & others on 6/13/07
To "all that is, seen and unseen",
I was just reading some posts between HPI's founder's grandson and others from a few years ago, on complex social issues http://episcoveg.weblogger.com/discuss/msgReader$62#304 , and for some unknown reason, the "seven deadly sins" came to mind.
My first thought was to find out what they are, and offer you an opportunity. (I'll get back to that in a minute.)
Here is the traditional list, from http://deadlysins.com/sins/index.htm
pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, greed, sloth
Here are Gandhi's list of the 7 Deadly Sins: http://deadlysins.com/features/gandhi.htm
- Wealth without Work
- Pleasure without Conscience
- Science without Humanity
- Knowledge without Character
- Politics without Principle
- Commerce without Morality
- Worship without Sacrifice
I remember reading a question somewhere a while back, asking how many of the 10 Commandments are broken when it came to some particular form of animal use (probably slaughter, but I can't remember. Could have been fur or something else).
I think the 7 deadly sins might be a more fruitful way of thinking about animal use -- especially since they aren't well-known or often thought about among Episcopalians.
So here's the challenge/invitation:
I am more than willing to post any of your reflections on how animal use fits in with either the traditional or the Gandhi list of 7 Deadly Sins on my blogsite. You can say whatever you'd like on the topic (please be civil). And you don't have to include all 7 sins. And it can be about any type of animal use -- the type that bothers you the most.
But the only requirements are that 1) it would have to be limited to these sins as they pertain to animal use, and not the types of sins Christians like to obsess over (like lust), and not in defense of the "animal enterprise-of-choice"; and 2) that I'd be permitted to include your name with your reflection.
I think this could be interesting, not only for the participant as a personal spiritual exercise, or for the site visitors, but to actually tie animal use in with a theological concept that has never included animals it its understanding. It is something that could potentially "reform" the way Christians think about animals and their use, because the more that's out there, the more accepted it is as the way Christians think (like the visitors who find my site when searching "authoritative" on topics like Lent).
This could also be an outlet for people who might feel they've had to bit their tongue among friends and family. ("Sin" is a word we don't like to use openly -- well, at least not when it pertains to animal use since humans benefit from it.) But I hope it will be more of a spiritual reflection than a "street corner rant". (In any case, even if it's a rant, your name will be attached to it, so it won't reflect back on me.)
Any takers?
If so, email me [at "info" at "episcoveg.com"], and I'll post your thoughts on my web blog. [Or post them directly in the 'Discuss' area below.] The more, the merrier. And I hope to hear from some who never post on the listservs. "All are welcome", as they say. You don't even have to be an "animal person" -- just someone who thinks this would be a thought-provoking exercise. Most of you may not have personal websites. This is your chance to get your thoughts out to the rest of the world.
There is no time limit. But the sooner the better, so you don't forget as this gets buried in your in box.
Thanks, if you have something you're willing to share with the world -- especially the part of the population, both inside and outside the Church, that is waiting with waning patience to hear "good news" from Christians on this topic!
Click on the 'Discuss' button below to read or to add a comment.
