Monday, March 10, 2008

"New sins" from the Vatican

Everybody look out! Whatever you're doing, stop! Especially if it's fun! Coming from someone who is not religious at all, Catholicism can seem a little silly. Often, it seems as if they're saying "If it's fun, it's a sin!" However, the Vatican has come out with a list of "new sins" including things like polluting and genetic research. Some of them, I really can't argue with. Polluting is bad, don't do it. So are drugs. Don't do those either. So here is the grand list:

Polluting
genetic engineering
obscene riches
taking drugs
abortion
pedophilia
causing social injustice
As we all know, genetic engineering has been debated for quite some time, especially by the current administration. However, while I can't say cloning would be the best addition to the world, what about the good things that would come of stem cell research? And the general idea the Vatican is going after is that embryos have to be destroyed to do this research, so wouldn't that fall under abortion? Also, calling abortion a sin is stupid. But that's just my opinion.
I would like to know what the Vatican means by "causing social injustice." Isn't that rather broad? I feel like they could really throw anything in there. Cutting in line could be a social injustice. Anybody have a more specific definition for this one?
And for those of you who have forgotten, the original 7 deadly sins are: Wrath, gluttony, greed, sloth, lust, envy and pride.
Is it just me, or are the new sins warmer, fuzzier sins? Nobody talks like they used to either. When was the last time someone used the word "wrath" in day to day speech? Maybe the sin of pedophilia will stop all those priests...

1 comment:

Stephen Asay said...

And I guess since obscene riches are a sin now, too, the Vatican is going to give away all its money to help the poor and hungry.

While the Church is "de-richifying" itself, maybe the Pope should lose the Prada shoes and stick with something a little bit simpler.