The first deadly disgusting behavior <br />Pontified in the fifth century <br />by Pope Gregory the Great <br />was predictably punishable in hell <br />by being broken upon the wheel. <br />Pride goeth before <br /> <br />Lust, the second deadly sin <br />in descending order of seriousness, <br />of the seven offenses against love itself. <br />Avarice guaranteed the sinner perpetual <br />dunking in freezing water, while Anger <br />would cause one to be dismantled alive. <br /> <br />Suffering from Sadness (or Slothfulness) <br />would find an eternal bed of snakes. Avarice <br />(or Greed) victims were showered <br />with cauldrons of boiling oil. The Gluttonous <br />were fed rats, toads and hissing snakes. While <br />the lustful amongst us were merely smothered <br />in everlasting fire and brimstone. <br /> <br />Salvation, by way of the seven contrary virtues <br />delivered souls to heaven above. <br />These counteractions were guaranteed by <br />Humility against Pride <br />Chastity against Lust <br />Kindness against Envy <br />Abstinence against Gluttony <br />Patience against Anger <br />Liberality against Greed <br />Diligence against Sloth <br /> <br />Worthiness of redemption could also be purloined by a designated <br />tithe to the local medieval priest. “Good Works” as well, entered <br />into the confessional equation for eternal forgiveness: <br />Feed the hungry <br />Give drink to the thirsty <br />Give shelter to strangers <br />Clothe the naked <br />Visit the sick <br />Minister to prisoners <br />Or bury the dead. <br /> <br /> <br />Authors Note: Regardless of these noble altruistic behaviors, (which usually occur late in life) , I would hope eternal rewards exclude the unrepentative, immoral, shiftless, self-gratifying, good-for-nothing, arrogant shits, that continue to profit in the commercialization and packaging of death by sin.<br /><br />Cheryl Lynn Moyer Peele<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/spiritual-shortcomings-historically-speaking/
