“Sin. Sin. Sin. You’re all sinners. You’re all doomed to perdition. You’re all goin’ to the painful, stinkin’, scaldin’, everlastin’ tortures of a fiery hell, created by God for sinners, unless, unless, unless you repent.” — Elmer Gantry
If you’re going to sin, this man says, do it for the “right” reasons:
Good news for lovers on Valentine’s Day — the seven deadly sins, including Lust, are good for you.
University of Melbourne social psychologist Dr. Simon Laham uses modern research to make a compelling case for the virtues of living a sinful life in his latest book THE JOY OF SIN: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE SEVEN DEADLIES (AND WHY THEY ARE SO GOOD FOR YOU). — “Social Psychologist: Lust Makes You Smarter and Evidence That Seven Deadly Sins Are Good for You”, Medical XPress, February 13, 2012
We engage in narrow and superficial thinking when we condemn sin:
Dr. Laham argues that human behavior is more complex than simple “good” or “evil” and shows us that Pride, Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Envy, Sloth and Anger are not soul-condemning offenses, but ever-present and, if indulged wisely, are largely functional human tendencies.
In particular, for lovers intent on indulging in a bit of lust this Valentine’s Day, Dr. Laham reveals:
Lust can make you smarter. Research shows that people with sex on the brain are better at solving ‘analytic thinking’ problems. Lust triggers us to become focused on the present and the details of satisfying a rather pressing current goal, namely sex.
Lust makes you helpful. Lust is so well designed to fulfill its function of getting people into bed, that it leads us to behave in ways that potential partners will find more attractive.
Lust builds love. Research shows that lustful participants are more likely to display a range of loving, relationship maintenance strategies — like adopting constructive conflict resolution strategies — to increase the chances of sex in the future. — Medical XPress
Dr. Laham also elaborates the emotional and social advantages to be gained from the other six “deadly sins,” as well.
Australians in particular can breathe a sigh of relief at the good doctor’s “findings”:
Dr. Laham said that when you take a look at the evidence, the seven deadly sins can really serve us quite well despite being told for centuries they are bad for us.
“This is great news for Australians as a recent BBC poll deemed Australia the most sinful country on earth,” he said.
So research now shows that it’s ok to indulge in a bit of Lust this Valentine’s Day and you’ll be better off for it. In fact, indulge in all seven deadly sins and you might just be a little smarter, happier and more successful. — Medical XPress
Not surprisingly, some people beg to differ:
One psychologist has written a book about the joy of sin. That sin brings temporary pleasure is not news, but claiming that sin is beneficial for overall health and well-being is a stretch. — “Psychologist Advocates Sin”, CEH, February 13, 2012
Moreover, says CEH, Dr. Laham makes an important logical error:
The main flaw in his reasoning is confusing categories. Some of the examples he gives are misleading.
For instance, napping when tired is beneficial, but that’s not sloth. Being passionate in a debate or negotiation might help you win, but that’s not the sinful kind of anger (some anger is righteous, like righteous anger). Having a piece of cake once in awhile is not gluttony. Sexual attraction to your spouse is not lust. Laham confuses naturally normal or good things with their perversions: it’s not a sin to eat, but to overeat; it’s not a sin to rest, but to turn rest into laziness. Sexual desire is not lust until it is misdirected. If Laham really practiced what he preached, his advice would implode. If he had been slothful, he would not have finished writing his book. If he were a glutton, he would be too out of shape to keep his job. If he lusted after his neighbor’s wife, he would be too preoccupied with a bitter divorce to write nonsense.
Bottom line: nonsense does not deserve to be anointed with the label of science. — CEH