Morality, Sin, and Virtue OUR FEARLESS SEARCH FOR A MORAL INVENTORY

Step 4: Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. At its core, working Step 4 reflects our willingness to trust the HP of our understanding uncovered with Steps 1, 2, and 3. Whether we are sponsees or sponsors, the need to be conversant about morality and/or theology is tantamount to a successful outcome.

Morality, Sin, and Virtue PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION Deepen your understanding of morality, sin, and virtue. Integrate that understanding to improve how you and your sponsees work Step 4. Initiate group discussions from two points of view: Sponsee Sponsor Part of an effort to create a Track 5: Steps 10 – 12

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN ADDICTED ATHEIST OR AGNOSTIC THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN ADDICTED ATHEIST OR AGNOSTIC. Whether it is cupcakes or cocaine, sex, alcohol, or fantasy love, the addicted atheist and agnostic will serve the god of their weakness with all their heart, mind, and soul. They worship it devotedly 24/7/365 and will sacrifice everything on its altar. They will even die for it. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE EXPLAIN TO THE ATHEIST AND AGNOSTIC THAT THE 12 STEPS CAN FREE THEM OF THEIR BLIND SERVITUDE. ONLY A SOBER PERSON CAN CHOOSE TO REJECT GOD OR TO BE AGNOSTIC ABOUT IT.

Morality, Sin, and Virtue DEFINITIONS OF MORALITY A particular system of values and principles of conduct, especially one held by a specified person or society. Principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior Synonymous with Ethics.

The Nature of Sin and Virtue WHAT IS SIN? WHY IS SIN BAD? WHAT IS VIRTUE? WHY IS VIRTUE GOOD? DOES IT EVEN MATTER?

WHAT IS SIN? DEFINITONS OF SIN Original Hebrew definition referred to “missing the mark.” An immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law. An offense against religious or moral law. An action that is or is felt to be highly reprehensible. Synonymous with misbehavior, transgression, or trespass Two types of sin: Mortal - can lead to damnation if a person does not repent of the sin before death Venial – leads to a weakening of a person’s relationship with God. Seven Deadly Sins lead to other sins but may not be mortal. They “give birth to other immoralities.”

WHY IS SIN BAD? It separates us from the grace and will of God. Pride is the primary culprit in this case. Greed is second. Reconciliation with our HP is through contrition (remorseful admission of sin), repentance (turning away from sin) and absolution (forgiveness by grace).

WHAT IS VIRTUE? Immanuel Kant said, "Virtue is the moral strength of the will in obeying the dictates of duty“. Moral virtues are attitudes, dispositions, and good habits that govern one's actions, passions, and conduct according to reason; and are acquired by human effort.

WHY IS VIRTUE GOOD? Virtues are a habitual and firm disposition to do the good. It is a committed resistance against our ingrained inclination to sin, especially the sin of pride, and the temptations of the flesh. This is why we do pray that God remove our defects of character and simultaneously ask that a virtue be put in its place. “My creator, I am now willing that You should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character that stands in the way of my usefulness to You and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here to do Your bidding.” We practice these virtues daily, choosing to be our better selves despite the fact the struggle will never end, that we can never be perfect.

7 OF EACH: SINS & VIRTUES SINS VIRTUES PRIDE FAITH / DILIGENCE LUST SLOTH GREED GLUTTONY JEALOUSY ANGER FAITH / DILIGENCE HOPE CHARITY PRUDENCE / HUMILITY JUSTICE TEMPERANCE COURAGE

SEVEN DEADLY SINS PRIDE - dangerously corrupt selfishness, the putting of one's own desires, urges, wants, and whims before the welfare of people. GREED - like lust and gluttony, a sin of desire for material goods. LUST - intense longing or sexual desire, lust could also mean simply desire in general; thus, lust for money, power, and other things are sinful. SLOTH - a failure to do things that one should do. By this definition, evil exists when "good" people fail to act. GLUTTONY - the overindulgence and overconsumption of anything to the point of waste ENVY - a sad or resentful covetousness towards the traits or possessions of someone else. Only Pride weighs more on the soul. ANGER - uncontrolled feelings of anger, rage, and even hatred. Often reveals itself in the wish to seek vengeance

VIRTUES CHASTITY - praiseworthy and virtuous sexual conduct. TEMPERANCE - voluntary self-restraint from retaliation, arrogance, excessive splurging (prudence), anger. CHARITY - "the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for His own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God". DILIGENCE - behavior indicative of a work ethic; a belief that work is good in itself. PATIENCE - the level of endurance one can have before negativity. Forbearance. KINDNESS - behavior marked by ethical characteristics, a pleasant disposition, and a concern for others. HUMILITY - defined as being "unselved" a liberation from consciousness of self, a form of temperance that is neither having pride (or haughtiness) nor indulging in self-deprecation. Free of vanity.

Virtue Latin Gloss Sin Chastity Castitas Purity, abstinence Lust Luxuria Temperance Temperantia Humanity, equanimity Gluttony Gula Charity Caritas Will, benevolence, generosity, sacrifice Greed Avaritia Diligence Industria Persistence, Effort, ethics Sloth Acedia Patience Patientia Forgiveness, mercy Wrath Ira Kindness Humanitas Satisfaction, compassion Envy Invidia Humility Humilitas Bravery, modesty, reverence Pride Superbia

EVERY TABLE SHOULD SELECT AND REVIEW ONE OF THE CHARACTER DEFECTS COLUMNS TIE THESE BACK TO THE ASSOCIATED SIN. DO YOU AGREE?

EVERY TABLE SHOULD SELECT AND REVIEW ONE OF THE CHARACTER ATTRIBUTES COLUMNS TIE THESE BACK TO THE ASSOCIATED VIRTUE. DO YOU AGREE?

DOES IT EVEN MATTER?