1. Pride is at work
when we are unable to celebrate another‘s good fortune or find it hard to face
our own imperfections. National pride in excess leads to racism, terrorism and
even genocide
Example:
someone cannot celebrate their friend’s birthday and this action results in a
fight, argument that destroys their friendship that they have.
2. Envy serves as the
basis for our consumerist society – we buy because we want more in order to be
satisfied. Envy means never being happy with what you have
Example:
Someone that is never happy with their belonging and always wants other people
belongings for themselves and no one else.
3. Gluttony is
self-absorption and the inability to recognise the needs of others. Destroying
and polluting the environment for economic gain, economic policy that keeps the
majority of the wealth in the hands of the few whilst millions are in poverty,
and increasing levels of obesity are all evidence of gluttony
Example:
someone who is always worried about themselves and nothing else like not caring
for their friends who care for their friends, the environment or even what is
happening in this world like poverty.
4. Lust is an
inordinate craving for the pleasures of the body. It may lead to extra marital
affairs, sexual abuse or rape. However it is not just sexual sin. Gollum in Lord
of the Rings has an inordinate craving for the ring and its powers
Example:
someone who is married but has a connection for another person. This action can
lead to affairs destroying their love life.
5. Anger, when it is
arises from inordinate and uncontrolled feelings of hatred and fury can lead to
crimes such as assault, murder and acts of vengeance. Anger when it is
appropriately expressed can be a force for change – it is how we express it
that may cause problems
Example:
someone who is always short tempered and gets angry at everything that makes
them frustrated leading to violence physically and mentally to someone else.
6. Greed is the desire
for material wealth or gain. Amassing large amounts of wealth, land, and
resources with a disregard for how this leads to less being available for
others characterises greed
Example:
someone who doesn’t give only gets. Someone who doesn’t donates to the poor,
and willing to steal from family and friends just to have it to themselves.
7. Slothfulness is the
avoidance of physical or spiritual work including not acting when one should.
Allowing bullying to occur and not acting to do something about it is an
example of the vice of slothfulness
Example:
someone who tries to get out of physical activities. Someone who is lazy and
doesn’t do anything about it. This type of action lets bulling take over and
doing nothing about it.
