A lot of times in religion, we focus on what we are not instead of what we are. This came up not too long ago in a conversation about Orthodox Christianity. When people ask what it is, people will respond "It's Christianity, but not fully catholic, not Jewish...etc."
Recently, during some reading I came across a list of the seven deadly sins:
1. Pride
2. Greed
3. Lust
4. Anger
5. Gluttony
6. Envy
7. Sloth
But for the first time in religious education, immediately following the Seven Deadly Sins were Seven Capital Virtues. I had never heard of these, and read that they were the opposite of the seven grievous sins.
1. Humility
2. Liberality
3. Chastity
4. Mildness
5. Temperance
6. Happiness
7. Diligence
You are taught your entire life that we live in a fallen world with sins, and to abstain from sins, but never to strive for these significant virtues. Why hadn't I heard of these before? They are incredibly powerful and a perfect example of values and how to embody a faithful lifestyle.
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