The Sin of Pride

deadly sins.com

"The root of pride is found to consist in man not being, in some way, subject to God and His rule." Thomas Aquinas

According to deadlysins.com, Pride is "excessive belief in one's own abilities that interferes with the individual's recognition of the grace of God. It has been called the sin from which all others arise."

Merriam-Webster defines Pride as "inordinate self-esteem; conceit; disdainful behavior; showing scorn for inferiors" -- and "an arrogant display of power."

Bring anybody to mind? Say, George W. Bush? Karl Rove? Bill Frist? Rick Santorum? Tom DeLay? Yep. The God Squad. The very same men who claim to make critical decisions for America based primarily on their dedication to fundamental Christian beliefs are guilty of the worst kind of hubris.

Where exactly do pride and arrogance--not to mention lying and betrayal--fit into the Christian value system? Where in the bible are leaders of nations encouraged to make war for personal and political gain -- at the wanton expense of thousands of lives? Somebody tell me, please, when did Jesus ever say, "Love thy brother as thyself unless he didn't vote for you, in which case you may crush him like a bug"?

There's a great weight of hypocrisy on America's shoulders. Day after day, year after year we've been listening to radical right wing leaders pontificate on their own Personal Relationship with God and on their definition of Christian values. And all the while they've been breaking Commandments ... and the backs of average Americans whose lives are in their hands.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not questioning their faith. I'm expressing serious doubts about how well they practice what they preach.

Where will we find tolerance and virtue and understanding and TRUTH in the Karl Rove investigation, in the process of choosing a new Supreme Court nominee, in the stem cell research quest, in adequate Homeland Security, in the war in Iraq?? Not, I fear, among the Republican Christians who deign to lead us on a wing and a prayer.

They would all do well to remember that Pride Goeth Before A Fall.