Religion used to be about lots of Dos and DON’Ts and NUMBERS: the TEN Commandments, the SEVEN virtues, the SEVEN Deadly Sins. There used to be MORTAL sins and VENIAL sins. Now nothing seems to be a sin! Or has just the jargon changed?
This is why I was so interested to read the review of Mary Telford’s book and see what has happened to sin. The book investigates how the seven deadly sins have been rebranded and acceptable in today’s more laissez-faire, digitally enabled age
The seven deadly sins have become invisible; no longer having the power to cause scandal and restrict behaviour. In a consumption culture founded upon convenient gratification and pleasure even “naughty but nice” sounds judgemental. Sins are forgotten so much that many people nowadays don’t know that they are sinning (though remain very quick to recognise when they are sinned against).
Without fanfare, discussion or notice, the traditional Seven Deadly Sins had a makeunder and dropped off our charts. Admission or acknowledgement of sin nowadays belongs to a different, fustier era. Sins have almost disappeared from our vocabulary, minds and behaviour.
Sins is such a deliciously short, four-letter word.
But who wants hellfire and damnation?
Seven scrumptious flavours:
Pride now rebranded as Self Respect
Avarice (Covetousness) now rebranded as Ambition
Lust now rebranded as Desire
Anger now rebranded as Self Expression
Gluttony now rebranded as Gourmet Dining
Envy now rebranded as Aspiration
Sloth now rebranded as Chillaxing
But LOVE is still LOVE!
