“Selflessness and…”

In his letter ("Selflessness and salvation,” Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, May 21, 2006) Behram T. Dastur notes that Christianity predicates "seven cardinal sins,” which he attributes to The Bible, and says further that lust is "the worst of all the seven deadly sins.”

The term "cardinal” is generally associated with the seven virtues, and the sins are more correctly designated as "deadly” or "mortal.” Moreover, one should note that The Bible nowhere mentions the number seven nor the division of sins into original and actual or venial and mortal. These are later developments in the theory of sin, and the common enumeration that is accepted in western Catholic tradition generally follows the teachings of Pope St Gregory the Great and St Thomas Aquinas. Earlier theologians, like St Cyprian, for instance, had reckoned eight "capital” sins. Finally, one should note that these same teachings nominate pride, and not lust, as the chief and head of the seven deadly sins.

For more information on this topic I would suggest the somewhat dated, but still excellent, discussion of "sin” available on-line at the Catholic Encyclopedia website (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14004b.htm).

Dr KALPEN TRIVEDI

Adjutant Assistant Professor, English Department,

University of Georgia, USA