Sunday, June 10, 2007

life.. as it is.. got gray, dull and boring again.. for now.. save me.. sighs

Friday, June 08, 2007

THE 7 SinS & Virtues

Lust (Latin, luxuria)

Lust is usually thought of as involving obsessive or excessive thoughts or desires of a sexual nature. Unfulfilled lusts sometimes lead to sexual or sociological compulsions and/or transgressions including (but obviously not limited to) sexual addiction, adultery, bestiality, and rape.

Dante's criterion was "excessive love of others," which therefore rendered love and devotion to God as secondary. However, lust and love are two different things; while a genuine, selfless love can represent the highest degree of development and feeling of community with others in a human relationship, Lust can be described as the excessive desire for sexual release. The other person can be therefore seen as a "means to an end" for the fulfillment of the subject's desires, and becomes thus objectified in the process. In Purgatorio, the penitent walks within flames to purge himself of lustful/sexual thoughts.

Gluttony (Latin, gula)

Modern views identify Gluttony with an overindulgence of food and drink, though in the past any form of thoughtless excess could fall within the definition of this sin. Marked by unreasonable or unnecessary excess of consumption, Gluttony could also include certain forms of destructive behavior, especially for sport, or for its own sake. Substance abuse or binge drinking can be seen as examples of gluttony therefore, so it could be safely said that Gluttony is the overindulgence in any one thing. The penitents in the Purgatorio were forced to stand between two trees, unable to reach or eat the fruit hanging from either, and were thus described as having a starved appearance.


Greed (Latin, avaritia)

Greed is, like Lust and Gluttony, a sin of excess. However, Greed (as seen by the Church) applied to the acquisition of wealth in particular. Thomas Aquinas wrote that Greed was "a sin against God, just as all mortal sins, in as much as man condemns things eternal for the sake of temporal things." In Dante's Purgatory, the penitents were bound and laid face down on the ground for having concentrated too much on earthly thoughts. "Avarice" is more of a blanket term that can describe many other examples of sinful behavior. These include disloyalty, deliberate betrayal, or treason, especially for personal gain, for example through bribery. Scavenging and hoarding of materials or objects, theft and robbery, especially by means of violence, trickery, or manipulation of authority are all actions that may be inspired by greed. Such misdeeds can include Simony, where one profits from soliciting goods within the actual confines of a church.


Sloth (Latin, acedia)

More than other sins, the definition of Sloth has changed considerably since its original inclusion among the seven deadly sins. It had been in the early years of Christianity characterized by what modern writers would now describe as apathy, depression, and joylessness — the latter being viewed as being a refusal to enjoy the goodness of God and the world He created. Originally, its place was fulfilled by two other aspects, Acedia and Sadness. The former described a spiritual apathy that affected the faithful by discouraging them from their religious work. Sadness (tristitia in Latin) described a feeling of dissatisfaction or discontent, which caused unhappiness with one's current situation. When St. Thomas Aquinas selected Acedia for his list, he described it as an "uneasiness of the mind," being a progenitor for lesser sins such as restlessness and instability. Dante refined this definition further, describing Sloth as being the "failure to love God with all one's heart, all one's mind and all one's soul." He also described it as the middle sin, and as such was the only sin characterised by an absence or insufficiency of love. In his Purgatorio, the slothful penitents were made to run continuously at top speed.

The modern view of the vice, as highlighted by its contrary virtue zeal/diligence, is that it represents the failure to utilize one's talents and gifts. For example, a student who does not work beyond what is required (and thus fails to achieve his or her full potential) could be labelled 'slothful'.

Current interpretations are therefore much less stringent and comprehensive than they were in medieval times, and portray Sloth as being more simply a sin of laziness, of an unwillingness to act, an unwillingness to care (rather than a failure to love God and His works). For this reason Sloth is now often seen as being considerably less serious than the other sins.


Wrath (Latin, ira)> yea.. i shall not be angry.. no way.. no matter how far any of u would go.. i wont get angry.. i understand..

Wrath may be described as inordinate and uncontrolled feelings of hatred and anger. These feelings can manifest as vehement denial of the truth, both to others and in the form of self-denial, impatience with the procedure of law, and the desire to seek revenge outside of the workings of the justice system (such as engaging in vigilantism), fanatical political beliefs, and generally wishing to do evil or harm to others. The transgressions borne of Wrath are among the most serious, including murder, assault, and in extreme cases, genocide. (See Crimes against humanity.) Wrath is the only sin not necessarily associated with selfishness or self interest (although one can of course be wrathful for selfish reasons, such as jealousy). Dante described Wrath as "love of justice perverted to revenge and spite". The wrathful in his Purgatorio were enveloped in blinding smoke.


Envy (Latin, invidia)> yeap... lucky for some of us.. we are not so kiasu.. there are plenty of a-holes out there.. they have sinned.. hopefully god may have mercy on their souls.. sound so ^(&^(&*%R%$#%^ but then.. my op wert.. heheh

Like Greed, Envy is characterized by an insatiable desire; they differ, however, for two main reasons: First, Greed is largely associated with material goods, whereas Envy may apply more generally. Second, those who commit the sin of Envy desire something that someone else has which they perceive themselves as lacking. Dante defined this as "love of one's own good perverted to a desire to deprive other men of theirs." In Dante's Purgatory, the punishment for the envious is to have their eyes sewn shut with wire, because they have gained sinful pleasure from seeing others brought lowly.


Pride (Latin, superbia)>full respect for this one.. everyone is going to hell because they have sinned.. haha.. there are too many people who really are like what it is stated below.. i hope people actually read this..though..highly unlikely..

In almost every list Pride is considered the original and most serious of the seven deadly sins, and indeed the ultimate source from which the others arise. It is identified as a desire to be more important or attractive than others, failing to give compliments to others though they may be deserving of them, and excessive love of self (especially holding self out of proper position toward God). Dante's definition was "love of self perverted to hatred and contempt for one's neighbor." In Jacob Bidermann's medieval miracle play, Cenodoxus, Pride is the deadliest of all the sins and leads directly to the damnation of the famed Doctor of Paris, Cenodoxus. In perhaps the most famous example, the story of Lucifer, Pride was what caused his Fall from Heaven, and his resultant transformation into Satan. Vanity and Narcissism are prime examples of this Sin. In the Divine Comedy, the penitent were forced to walk with stone slabs bearing down on their backs in order to induce feelings of humility.


7 virtues~!!!!

  • Chastity (Latin, castitas) (purity, opposes lust, Latin luxuria) —
    Courage and boldness. Embracing of moral wholesomeness and achieving purity of thought through education and betterment.
  • Abstinence (Latin, frenum) (self-control, opposes gluttony, Latin gula) —
    Constant mindfulness of others and one's surroundings; practicing self-control, abstention, and moderation.
  • Liberality (Latin, liberalitas) (will, generosity, opposes greed, Latin avaritia) —
    Generosity. Willingness to give. A nobility of thought or actions.
  • Diligence (Latin, industria) (ethics, opposes sloth, Latin acedia) —
    A zealous and careful nature in one's actions and work. Decisive work ethic. Budgeting one's time; monitoring one's own activities to guard against laziness.
  • Patience (Latin, patientia) (peace, opposes wrath, Latin ira) I dare say I am a very patient person.. i've endured alot expecially in k2 last year right jia ren??? hmmph.. there should be more people like this.. not him but me.. buahahhahahha... lately though.. i've lost my patience.. somehow or rather... i'm gonna work it out.. ..
    Forbearance and endurance through moderation. Resolving conflicts peacefully, as opposed to resorting to violence. The ability to forgive; to show mercy to sinners.
  • Humility (Latin, humilitas) (modesty, opposes pride, Latin superbia) > no.. lately.. i'be been quite ego.. hahah... sorry sorry.. then again.. whoever is ''humilitas''..too many &*%^*%*^&* out there sighs..
    Modest behavior, selflessness, and the giving of respect. Giving credit where credit is due; not unfairly glorifying one's own self.


i'm not a christian.. but... reading this.. has made it clear to me..

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

i'm sorry..

i'll make up for all my mistakes i've done..

i promise..

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

so far.. the holidays.. has had its ups and downs.. then again.. everything about me is up or down anyways.. ugh.. i had some of the best times of my life.. and the worse all in the space of 9 days.. embarrassing.. i am sorry for those of u who had to experience any..

yea so anyway.. this 2-week-only holiday.. is kinda slow moving.. yet.. fast.. 0.o ahh..


















''...i love...''

Saturday, June 02, 2007

ugh... guess wat time i woke up?? 7.10am.. i figured if i woke up at 3.. n slept later.. i'd wake upa lil later.. but then.. i still woke up the same time.. sighs... i guess i'lll just live with it..