The 7 Deadly Sins

So aside from the fact that I think I'm losing my mind, I've recently become aware that the 7 deadly sins are in some serious need of some updating.

Here are the seven as they currently stand:

Pride: Pride in itself is not such a bad thing. Pride is what pushes people to do a good job. As a society, I think we need MORE pride. For Christ's sake, have you ever had to call the phone company? Or gone to the DMV? I think those people need a little more pride.

Greed: This one needs to not only stay, but needs to be relabeled as the deadliest sin. Greed and corruption in politics, religion and major corporations is destroying our society, our planet, and ultimately our souls. Example: recent reports tell a tale of a NASA scientist who was muzzled by the Bush administration when he tried to come out with new data on global warming. What does this have to do with greed? Think back to last year's G-8 summit, when Bush embarrassed us Americans again by challenging reports on environmental issues, claiming that more research needs to be done before taking action. The data is in, and has been for decades, and now here's the Mr. NASA scientist saying if we don't act right now it might be too late for our planet. But not in my lifetime, not during my term. I can hear it now. Why force my corporate buddies to spend billions of dollars to switch to more environmentally friendly practices and save the planet when my grandchildren can deal with it after I'm dead? Frank Capra said it best. "You can't take it with you."

Envy: Envy is not too bad. It goes along with "coveting thy neighbor's goods". It drives the economy. The only time it becomes a problem is when its mixed with...

Wrath: When by itself, this one is tricky. People do horrible things out rage, but then get to use it as a defense (i.e. "crimes of passion"). But on the other side, I think there are things going on in the world that people should get angry about, and aren't. I think the original idea here was good, but we need to find a better word.

Lust: Still a good Sin, but be careful not to confuse it with sexuality.

Gluttony: Would you like fries with that?

Sloth: Another great Sin, but needs broader definition.

So now, without futher ado, I bring you my new, re-vamped 7 deadly sins:

Greed: see rant above.

Apathy: When did we, as a society, stop caring about our fellow man? Whether they are inside our tribe or not, when we see something going on in the world that just isn't right we need to step up, politics be damned. Not for money, not for oil, but because its the right thing to do. A person is still a person.

Self-Pity: Bitch, you think its bad now? I'll show you how bad it can get. But I'm as guilty as the next person.

Regret: Nothing will chew a hole in your soul faster.

Rage: I chose this word to replace "Wrath" because to me it resonates a different level of anger, as in "insane with rage". Plus, when was the last time you used "wrath" in a sentence?

Gluttony: This one stays. I'm sick of all this STUFF. We don't need it. Its filling up our landfills, clogging our bodies, and distracting our minds. Time to get back to basics.

Sloth: This one also stays. We all need to be more be active, in our hearts, minds and with our bodies. A lazy mind is just as bad as a lazy body.