Or is it just the 7 deadly sins. And why seven is so important?
The seven cardinal and contrary virtues .
Definition:
The first four can be traced back to Greek philosophers and Christian theologians readily adopted them, arguing that they were applicable to all humans, Christian or otherwise. The final three developed out of Christian theological work, but in particular from the writings of Paul in the New Testament. They were not applied to all humans because theologians thought that they were not naturally a part of human character due to the Fall into sin. Instead, they came directly from God after one is baptized.
There are also seven “contrary” virtues: humility, kindness, abstinence, chastity, patience, generosity, and diligence. They are called “contrary” because each one stands in direct opposition to one of the seven deadly sins. It is believed that a conscious attempt to cultivate these virtues will help a person avoid their contrary sins: humility is opposed to pride, kindness is opposed to envy, abstinence is opposed to gluttony, chastity is opposed to lust, patience is opposed to anger, generosity is opposed to greed, and diligence is opposed to sloth.
Yes, it’s from an atheist site, but the description is accurate, AFAIK, as well as nicely concise.
Seven was a mystic number throughout ancient cultures.
pravnik
September 28, 2005, 8:25pm
3
Also, the The Seven Deadly Virtues , sung by Mordred in “Camalot.”
Why are abstinence and chastity considered different virtues?
BMalion
September 28, 2005, 8:42pm
5
Well, there’s Galations 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Otto
September 28, 2005, 8:45pm
6
One can be abstinent from things other than sex.
Chronos
September 28, 2005, 9:07pm
7
Also, chastity does not mean abstaining from sex. A chaste person, under the ecclesiastical definition, has sex only as appropriate, i.e., within marriage.
wolfstu
September 28, 2005, 10:15pm
8
How about the beatitudes ?
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.