I'm sure most everyone in our Western Civilization has heard
of the Seven Deadly sins: Pride, envy, wrath, sloth, greed, gluttony, and lust.
We avoid these sins at all times, because we fear that God will send us to Hell
if we commit any one of these. But by instilling fear in people's psyches, are
we really solving the problem? Not likely. These sins are still rampant in
American culture: People are addicted to porn (lust), obesity rates have
skyrocketed (gluttony), politicians boast that they are the best candidate
(pride), people enjoy a T.V. dinner reclined in front of the television
(sloth), college students want a good degree at a reputable university so they
can get good jobs and make money (greed), children ask their parents for the
new iPad for Christmas that everyone at school has (envy), and hundreds
of homosexuals commit suicide every year because of the contempt they hold for
themselves (wrath). Society looks pretty much hopeless right about now. Instead
of condemning these people and giving up hope on them (it's too late, they're
already going to Hell), what if we tried a different approach? The looming
threat of punishment from God is not always the best incentive. What if, as a
society, we rewarded and encouraged good behaviors? The Buddhist Eightfold Path
could be an example. People often commit these deadly sins when are they
suffering inwardly, and the Eightfold Path works to overcome people's suffering
through Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right
Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration. Each of
these "paths" is all about seeing the world as it really is as well
as being kind and aware how all of our actions affect other people. By
following each of these paths, you simultaneously avoid all the deadly sins as
well as developing your own mental health and inner peace. http://voices.yahoo.com/the-seven-deadly-sins-explained-they-affect-1051755.html
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