Thoughts on the abyss

“The root of all evils? This is why mortal sin is a contemporary issue”. The article, published in October’s edition of Herder-Korrespondenz, refers that the topic of mortal sin has gained primary attention in German society. This is clearly seen within the realm of culture and on television, as well as in recent literature. Moreover the concept of “mortal sin” is only used in a metaphoric manner. Only rarely do we find theological references, mentioned by ANDREAS LUKAS FRITSCH. Follows a summary by Irene Vogt for SIR Europa.MORTAL SINS . The past weeks might have triggered “a sensation of ‘medieval darkness’ and surprise” in those following the Friday evening headlines of the new ‘Dokutainment’ (a combination of documentary and entertainment) of the private network Pro Sieben. ‘The Abyss within us’ is the subtitle for the topic which entered German private network programs. “Mortal sins have longtime been viewed as outdated and distant from contemporary culture”. In seven episodes were presented criminal cases, in close relationship with haughtiness, envy, ire, sloth, avarice, gluttony and lewdness, complete with medical ad psychological contributions by experts and witnesses. However, attempts at theological interpretation are nowhere to be seen. “The concept of ‘mortal sin’ is employed. However, no question focuses on the meaning of ‘mortal’ or on the connection between vice and one’s relationship with God . Firstly, psychologists speak asking themselves whether envy or haughtiness could be born in the brain”. “Original sin is a very hot issue considered interesting from the psychological viewpoint, however this concept is completely removed from its religious context.” The program follows the contemporary approach: mortal sins are at the centre of society but with no religious reflections. ONLY DEVIANCE? A book that in its title (Geil & geizig) repeats the slogan of a publicity, edited by theologians Klaus Hofmeister e Lothar Bauerochse, acknowledges the tradition of the seven mortal sins and their presence within society. “Tradition is hardly ever dealt with, in a phenomenological way authors refer only some points with no systemization.” In this way is addressed the topic of avarice which seems to have turned from a vice into a virtue. Another book “How the devil takes control of us. On the actuality of the 7 mortal sins”, by Heiko Ernst analyzes this phenomenon: “Mortal sins could be viewed as a descriptive system of human attitudes that are very topical and with profound expressive strength. […] Seen in a contemporary context these are no longer sins, leading us to human or divine disgrace.” Rather, according to the author of the book, “they could at the most be viewed as a deviance, as a pathological or moral disorder, as a temperamental defect”. In re-examining the concept of mortal sin the media don’t use the concept as a vice but as an emptied metaphor. Some book titles use it to attract attention: “The ten mortal sins in marketing”, “The seven mortal sins in health industry”, “The unknown mortal sins in omeopathy”.The article offers a brief summary of the original intention of the concept of “mortal sin” from the theological standpoint, on the basis of the history and on the works of Evagrius Ponticus, Giovanni Cassiano and Gregorius Magno. The original intention of these vices remained crucial: it is a matter of relationship; the relationship with God, with our neighbour, and with ourselves. If these relations remain irreconciled, classical doctrine holds there is only eternal death, a death of relations, man that is a stranger to himself”. Living relations on the contrary are the source of life. “In present Catechism vices are viewed as the origin of sins; the concept of general sins or of originary sins seems therefore more appropriate than that of ‘mortal sins'”. A WEBSITE. “Throughout history, the topic of mortal sins has never been central to art, nonetheless it bears great artistic interest”; let us recall the works of Hiernoymus Bosch (~1450-1516), Otto Dix (1891-1969) or in the Eighties of Bruce Naumann. Also the Museum of the castle of Murnau deals with this subject in the exposition of a cycle of the Austrian artist Alfred Kubin (1877-1959). Four Swiss high-school students addressed this subject. The Internet page (www.7todsuenden.ch) illustrates their commitment with tests to analyze the user’s inclination to mortal sins. According to the test lewdness ranks first. “Whichever vice is highlighted, mortal sins are a contemporary topic for psychologists, sociologists and theologians since they are related to man’s inner self. In the website we read: ‘In any case, we suggest you vigorously fight against your own vices’.