In the third century A.D., certain Christian monks, known as the “desert fathers,” compiled a list of human failings that remains widely recognized, namely, the “Seven Deadly Sins.” This list is important in all Christian thought and teaching, and consists of “Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Greed, Pride, Sloth, and Wrath.” People both religious or otherwise have recognized throughout the ages the validity of these as character flaws, which may easily lead to profoundly negative outcomes in human life.
Now it seems to me that currently there is a guy who is dominating our national news on a daily basis who expresses, also on a daily basis, one, or several, if not most of these characteristics, bigly. In fact they almost seem to sum up his character. This phenomenon is depressing to observe, as well as scary, since the guy also has his finger on the nuclear button. I do really worry about that “Wrath” one.
Over a long period of time I have studied this guy, searching for signs of such common virtues as kindness, generosity, fairness, compassion, forgiveness, and especially honesty, and I have found none of them. Sad. And what is amazing to me is that many Christians seem to applaud and support this guy. How do they rationalize their support? In the final anaysis, isn’t character everything? Look what’s happening. Weigh it out. I was raised as a Christian and I just don’t get it.
Abbott Meader
Oakland
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