I want everyone to have the opportunity to have eternal life. If you were to die today are you 100% sure you would go to Heaven? If not, read Romans 10:9 and you shall have eternal life, saved from the fiery pit of Hell.
No one can deny Jesus, only reject Him.
Change your entire life today and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Jeremiah 29:11 says that "He has good plans for you, not to harm you but prosper you. "
If your life feels like its not getting any better try something you haven't and pray. God is willing to take the burden for you because he loves you!
You have to do something you've never done to get somewhere you've never been.
God has called everyone to have eternal life but only few are chosen. You are a chosen one!! Don't risk spending eternity in Hell! Live a life of peace, joy, love and hope! What can you lose?
If you want to see miracles get in touch with someone like Pastor Sergio De La Mora, Dr. Tim Storey or Bishop T.D. Jakes.
God bless you!

Victoria, California,

Imagine no religion... survival of the fittest... who cares about the poor? who cares about what goes on in our minds and hearts...

Wilson Fung, San Francisco, USA

i only care to morality for now. do what you want / like everybody do to you.
Y!m: adhi_nat

adhidarma, bandung, indonesia

one may compare Jesus with Lenin. especially their intentions "I have brought to the earth not pease but sword, and father will fight with his son.."

Maksym, Kiew, Ukraine

Imagine no religion. It's easy if you try.
John Lennon

Jason Themistoklis, Greenvale, Victoria

Christ was a human;
Humans invented God;

Jason Themistoklis, Greenvale, Victoria

I was just trying to keep up with the ten commandments. I'm in BIG trouble!

William, Garden City, Nassau/ NY

When contraception was condemned did they think that probably 60%-70% of the population of Earth uses contraception and if they don't, they definitely should unless they really want to make a child... There are too many abandoned children in this world and above all that the increasing number of the population on Earth is a factor that is considered for the future, considering our own resources... So, in my opinion contraception is a must if you don't want to make a child and this should be considered... I'm talking about contraception... Not abortion.

Jo, Bucharest, Romania

For Steve Kelly, there is nowhere in the bible that the 7 deadly sins are enumerated. It was Pope Gregory the Great who defined it.

Moreover, if we just reflect over the original 7 deadly sins, the newly added ones can be derived out of them:
'The idea was that any one of these deadly sins was so attractive that, according to the author of the Summa, St Thomas Aquinas, "in his desire for it a man goes on to the commission of many [other] sins".' (http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/is_littering_the_sin_of_the_century/)

Since more people don't realize that, I believe we need the new 7 the Vatican has added to help us be aware.

Erika, Iloilo, Philippines

Jesus took away our sin when he died in our place on the cross. When we confess our sins to Him and believe that He was born, died on the cross and was resurrected in 3 days, and accended into heaven, then we have confirmed our place in heaven. It's as simple as that. That doesn't mean that we are free to do what ever we want though because we sin everyday and have to ask God for forgiveness. For instance, using God's name in vain is a sin, gossip is a sin, greed is a sin, the list goes on and on. God considers all sin equal. Our goal is to be more like Jesus who is the Son of God and once we have been born again then we have a new life within us and we really do not want to sin. Once saved always saved, and we cannot work our way to heaven.

We must remember that it's not about a religion, it is about having a personal relationship with Christ.

The pope is just a man and unfortunately, he is not following God's Word which is in our Holy Bible.

SDH, Lees Summit, Missouri

The bible tells us that f we add or subtract anything from or too the words already written there.. we will have our name removed from the book of life.......does that mean that the Pope will not inhereit Gods kingdom..The bible is Gods word, adding to what is already written is not such a good idea.. wait on God for his judgement

steve kelly, LONDON (UK),

Wealth without work.
Pleasure without conscience
Knowledge without character
Commerce without morality
Science without humanity
Worship without sacrifice
Politics without principles



Keep it simple, like Ghandi.

Tracy Wynn, Aspen, Colorado USA

What sort of God do they worship? If I'm to gain an impression from the Catholic church, I would say that God is hiding behind the skirts of his earthly mother, stuck in a time warp that keeps him behind the times and foolishly duped by outward observance. He sounds way too human for my liking. I think I need a God who is way beyond being represented by a bunch of supposedly celibate, wealthy, controlling men's immaginations.

Cynical Chic, Sydney,

I do not know where the church of Rome gets of telling people how to live there lives as the church of Rome has hardly got its foundations in the bedrock of true christian values

billy, falkirk, Scotland

I have been a member of the Catholic church for ten years and yet today I will not attend mass or confession due to the hypocrisy of the catholic churches decision making. Talk about worst type of the pot calling the kettle black. Excessive wealth. The Catholic church is the richest organization in the world. I would dare say that their wealth in greater than most if not all nations. Also, these are men who are not allowed to marry, so why do they worry about birth control. The common family today cannot afford to have more than one or two children. After that the state and national government has to help financially take care of the children, NO WAY. Take birth control and don't have babies you can't afford. Also,social injustice. If the Catholic Church wants to do away with injustice of any kind they should totally excommuicate all priests who are accused and/or found guilty of molesting children in our churches. Instead they put them out to pasture in some solemn place.

M P, Birmingham, Alabama

I'm gonna say what (most) everyone is thinking. They _forgot_ to add "hypocracy" to the list.

Kypros, Osaka, Japan

Does anyone else find it ironic that the Catholic Church's bankroll is probably larger then some countries?

What about the Popemobile? Or the tradition of sending up smoke to announce the decision of whether or not the new Pope has been decided yet?


Hypocritical through and through.

RLowy, Mission V,

you know, it's interesting...
in catholic doctrine, it is highly encouraged to have sex after marriage in order to reproduce and fill the world with more of god's people. children created out of love. positive thinking, here.

however, if the pope is condemning pollution and environmental abuse, he should be aware that population growth is one of the most important factors in the growing environmental decay. more people on this earth means that the world has less space and resources and is therefore less sustainable.

so i find it ironic that a church that encourages the production of children at such rapid rates has also condemned a polluted world, which is CAUSED by this rapid production.

not everything can be a sin. there needs to be clarification, here. the confusion is contributing a great deal to all this fighting. people should focus on discovering what is truly being asked of them instead of following everything blindly.

Chelsea , Kalamazoo, MI, USA

Condemning both contraception and abortion is absurd. Sex, and not just once in a while, is a wonderful part of life and need not neccesarily lead to the pain of repeatedly giving birth (that, in my eyes, rather detracts from the joyousness of it). It would be fairer to at least accept contraception (which harms no-one).

C Gooding, Plymouth, England

So let me get this straight: "Envy" was one of the original deadly sins, but in the new improved list, those who commit "socila injustice" or "accumulate too much wealth" are sinners. Dounds like the whole "envy " thing has just been repealed.

Dmill, Detroit, MI

If you don't agree with the sins or even agree with the religion why are you making such a big deal about it? You can choose to follow it if you want to. Why are you being so imbecilic about the situation?

Lenique, Atlanta, Georgia

Thank You, My Lord JESUS;

For I did the SIN.
YOU DIED for that SIN.
What more can i say'
Thank YOU for Taking MY place.
For i am just a peastant,
YOU are my LORD.

Kaari Fulton
Montana USA

kaari fulton, glendive, montana

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the only unforgivable sin.My list for the inconsequential sins are:Voracious consumerism;careless behaviour;hedonism;thinking it's clever to be an atheist;Not accepting Christ as your saviour, when you have been given the call;gay marriage;choosing deliberately to remain childless---which, again is simply being selfish.
The late Pope said that looking at your own wife with lust, is commiting adultery.Was he being cynical---or was he serious?
Your comments please.
Born again.

Brian Shenton, Wembley, Brent-London

I sure hope god is on the way, It's long past the time something was done about these religious salesmen and their blind adherants.........

wjk, Toronto,

It seems to me that - after reading through this topic - that not many people are actually disagreeing with the Catholic Religions stand on the issues that are now deemed 'sins'. These are issues that are debated, and frowned upon, in homes and workplaces the world over. But if the Pope has something to say about it?! no no no no no. For these aficionados of atheism it is just another opportunity to attack something that they understand very little about; disagreeing for the hell of it. Is the Pope really doing any harm by trying to guide people towards a dignified way of living? This ailing world isn't working very well at the moment. It's buckling under the effects of greed - and the man is just trying to do his bit to help fix it.

Gordon Curran, Glasgow, Scotland

the people of this world had better wake up! WE ONLY HAVE 7 TO 8 YEARS LEFT ON THIS EARTH, so if I am wrong post a message if I am right, you wont be able to. The signs are all around us the seventh trumpet has been blown and God is coming very soon we are in the final days.

julie shumney, MESQUITE, usa/ texas

"Mortal soul"? Are you sure?

Stephen, Lancashire,

Chris Lapeyrouse:"The bible clearly teaches repentance of sin rather than doing penitence. "

Making amends is both commonsense and Biblical. Penitence is making amends to God. No one can be said to be truly sorry who refuses to make amends.

"Jesus preached that his followers must forsake all things in the world "

And Catholic priests are vowed to celibacy, fulfilling that demand more than protestants. It is a HUGE sacrifice: they are a continually burning sacrifice, like Christ. Even Christ speaks of being a eunuch for the sake of the Kingdom.

"Dead works are dead."

Well, yes. And living works are living, no? St Paul says that to be saved we must believe AND proclaim our faith in Jesus Christ. That is clearly a work, and a hard one that got Paul many a whipping. That he leaves off that qualification elsewhere does not mean we don't have to do it. It was Luther who tacked the word "alone" to St Paul's original words on faith. There is a high penalty for such a crime.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

It's a serious stretch to think the pope has anything to do with god........................

wjk, Toronto,

"the obscenely rich"
So that means the pope is a sinner?

Give me a break. I can't believe people still take this crap seriously.

Richard, Dover, USA / PA

mocern sin no 1: wasting your time reading (and reacting to) time-wasteing stuff on the internet...

nmu, Klaipeda,

So the Vatican should distribute its wealth? By doing what? Selling its assets to the only people who can afford them - the obscenely rich? That would go against all it practices and teachings and only encourage further materialism and greed. Rock and a hard place me thinks.
And the blame for the planets over population falls at the feet of the Vatican? I don't ever remember the Catholic Church forcing people to breed. Sure, married couples are encouraged to start families but the Pope&Co can't possibly be to blame for climate change as well, can they?

Gordon Curran, Glasgow, Scotland

The Pope means well however he appears to have abandoned the principles of biblical teaching and continues to insist on the laws of men rather than God. The bible clearly teaches repentance of sin rather than doing penitence. God sent John the Baptist to prepare the way of the Lord by preaching a baptism of repentance. Jesus said, "die to self, pick up your cross, and follow me." Jesus preached that his followers must forsake all things in the world and hate their sin. We must see ourselves totally dead to the world and alive to God. That's why St. Paul said the following: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2nd Corth. 5:17). Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:1-2) Unless one is born again, he cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Lets listen to Jesus and follow him and not the empty words of man that saves no one. Dead works are dead.

Chris Lapeyrouse, Houma, Louisiana

the sins is not what it about its trusting in god because with the world they will all ways be sin full the no such thing as a new sin. all sin are equal! it about him they miss the point!

CLC, Tucson, us

Right, Mike, or using patio heaters, 3 1/2 litre gas guzzling Chelsea tractors and unneccesary long-haul flights etc etc., I haven't seen any mention here of sins against the planet, and most of the nations represented in this forum are committing them big-time. If the Catholic Church really wants to make a difference, why doesn't the pope use his power to influence mankind to take a greener route instead of piffling on about individual 'sins'. What a waste, and so little time, if the 2012 theorists are right....

Cynthia, Launceston, Cornwall, UK

The Catholic Church can say whatever they want. The fact of the matter is that they are losing ground as their doctrines are dated and have little basis in the real world.

Sure in 1442 they were really up to date and potentially relevant but in 2008?? Come on people, no condoms? No protected sex? What are they thinking? Have they never heard of AIDS? How far behind is the current pontiff in his current events?

I think God whoever or whatever he/she might be, really has bigger things on it's plate then paying attention to a club with fancy hats bent on ruling the religious stage...If I meet

Personally, I dislike organized religion as much as I dislike chewing on tin foil while getting my head shaved with a cheese grater. Their hypocrisy is limitless, Catholics, Muslims and Christians alike.

They preach love with one hand and intolerance with the other, you can't have it both ways...but they sure like to make you think you can. After all my God is better than yours, right?

Cheers

Todd, Toronto, Canada

"Life is about suffering" ??????????

What a sad man you must be Guy Nevard, London, England !!

Try living a bit.

Paulo, Copenhagen, Denmark

If life is about suffering, then I dont really want to be part of it. It sounds much more fun to sin. Lets get together and make some more.

karen, york,

The Abrahmic religions are guilty of more crimes against humanity and reason than any other group in the history of humanity. If the Pope-or ANY Christian, Jew, or Muslim-wants to make the world a better place, they ought to make it a point to start using common sense, although we all know that common sense is the one thing that can destroy religion.

Seth, Easthampton, MA, USA

Life is about suffering, all these atheist want an easy pleasure filled selfish life, The Pope upholds the Catholic Church, and its teachings on purity and grace, forgiveness and conversion which are contrary to the wants of the atheists, The mass media and secular world don't like this, they don't want to hear the truth, so they attack it.

Ok the Church has its fallings, it has huge wealth? maby, The Terrible Abuse claims? yes, but we are human, however the teachings of the Church stay the same! If everybody picked up on each others faults and didn't listen to each other because they have failing no body would get anywhere!

DO you want to live in a selfish world? where greed, lust and hedonic pleasures rule the will of man? Then carry on and don't listen to the Church which upholds the Truth, and saves your soul!
God Bless

Guy Nevard, London, England

This is just another sign that religion is just something we made up and can modify when we feel like. If a lot of religious people using the excuse "It doesn't say not to ____ in the bible" in court cases, etc, then why should we modify the 7 deadly sins to take into account things that were never mentioned in the bible? This is complete and utter nonsense.

Joshua Willis, Sydney, Australia

It should be made sinful to disagree with the Pope.

That should get people to post positive comments. :-)

Mohammed, London, UK

"Bishop Girotti said that mortal sins also included taking or dealing in drugs, and social injustice which caused poverty or “the excessive accumulation of wealth by a few”."
I'm sorry but this must make the catholic church one of the biggest sinners of them all, how much money do they have again?

James, St Andrews,

"But, be mindful that these work of arts and treatures are meants for the Glory of God, a treasure to be handed down to humanity till the world ends"

I recommend going to History.com and reading/watching "Life After People". There was life before people, and there will surely be life after people. The Earth will heal herself because of the universe, not because of divine intervention.

Buildings will crumble, streets will erode, grass and trees will once again cover this beautiful Earth as it was before man's harmful concrete and steel made her ugly. None of that artwork will exist. The Eiffel Tower will crumble in about 200 years. As a matter of fact, the only structures to survive after 10,000 years will be Mount Rushmore and the Egyptian pyramids. Everything else will be dust.

Start loving the Earth around you for what she is, and quit squabbling over some made up story to keep ignorant people in line.

Rena, Central Texas, Texas

Thank you Pope Benedict! We ♥ you!

The Brew Family

Brew, Faulconbridge, Australia, NSW

God is Love and infinitely holy. He universally calls each of us to be holy. He gave us his Laws – the 10 Commandments. When we break those Commandments, we sin and we are all sinners. When we sin, we must repent. When we repent from the heart, we receive God’s forgiveness and healing. God gave man free will. You can choose sin and separation from God or receive His forgiveness and healing and live as He made us to live. For God so loved the world, that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ to become one like us in every way but sin. Jesus, God in the flesh, suffered and died on the cross for love of us. After the Crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead – the Resurrection and ascended into Heaven – the Ascension. One day Jesus will return, and those who have loved God will have eternal life in the Love of God.

Faye , Marietta, USA/ GA

I think the Pope needs to get off of his high horse and take a walk around a real neighborhood. The "faithful" can think for themselves!!!! We no longer need clergy folks telling us what is and isn't right!!! POWER to the PEOPLE.

Cynthia Davidson, Pittsburgh, PA

"carrying out morally debatable scientific experiments"... I'd consider many of the experiments conducted on animals in the name of science to be completely and utterly vile. Even though animals are also "God's creatures" I don't remember the church branding such experiments as a sin.

It all sounds like an increasingly irrelevent institution trying to hang on to it's ever-slipping grip on authority... bring on the next enlightenment.

Frank, Tokyo, Japan

So Marcus, what you are saying is that nothing is true and everything is permitted? No one should be accountable for anything? Why bother have the rule of law or any scientific restrictions then...lets just all abort are children freely for the sake of stem cell experiments and guide our children into pornography as a legitimate profession.

All Atheists/Pagans I know are weak and angry because they have no answers and live an empty existence fuelled by greed, false idols and petty possessions. They persecute Catholics because we know Jesus loves us as we love him.

But, just like all non believers; when your health is no more and you sit alone on your death bed, your ignorance will fade and you will seek GOD. Let us hope that it won't be too late for you to repent...

Joel K, Ottawa, Canada

What is everyone complaining about - you don't have to care unless you are a practising Catholic, which you lot clearly aren't! A bit of morality can be fun. Who knows it may be the change a country like the UK is looking for.

Hanna, London, uk

Keith, Raleigh: "But there is no evidence for the Apostolic Succession except one sentence of supposition by Athenaeus AD 180. An early spin doctor."

The laying on of hands, in the Bible (Acts), is all the evidence needed. Do you suppose, as they didn't write it down, they ceased to transmit their authority to the next generation of disciples, their spiritual children? You would then agree with the atheist that if there is no evidence for God then that means there isn't one. The spoken word comes first. Protestants are addicted to the written word whose power is limited. The Bible itself never claims sole authority, and cannot explain itself.

Keith: "or credibility for infallibility"

"The Spirit will lead you into all Truth"(John 14:26). Jesus was speaking to Peter and the Apostles.

"or the doctrine of celibacy which has caused so much suffering to abused children over the years."

Catholic priests statistically abuse less than parents, and celibacy is not doctrinal.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

Joe Witte: You are confusing two different definitions of the word faith. In the context of your family and friends example faith means confidence or an assurance based on the evidence. I have 'faith' that my seat will not break as it hasn't all the times I have sat on it before.

The alternative definition to which you refer infers a belief in the supernatural based on no evidence. This is what we use when referring to gods, an unfounded belief. And yes, this is irrational due to the 0% proof.

I trust you are aware that words can have more than 1 meaning? If this is still confusing I recommend a dictionary.

Tuppensworth, woolton hill, England

Joe Witte: "Faith is trust, not 100% knowledge"

The root of the word 'faith' is 'steadfast', ie. loyalty ("I am faithful"). Kierkegaard had ideas: he didn't prove anything, and his erroneous ideas are one of the justifications of modern atheism.

Rational trust requires grounds for trusting (which means knowledge): the better the grounds/knowledge the more you trust: it is calculable and doesn't depend on free will. Religious faith is defined as "Assent to a God who has revealed (proven) himself" ('assent' implies free-will). So it sure does involve knowledge, indeed the nature of baptism is knowledge itself, not just a ritual, and the trust is consequent.

Pascal also caused people serious problems with his silly ideas: it does not follow that one believes because it is safer to. Safety may be a motive to acquire belief but cannot be its cause. Rational belief requires proof. Neither science nor maths can provide it, but an almighty God could.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

Actually, Kierkegaard was the one who pointed out that faith by definition is not based on proof. The problem with the millitant athiest community (Dawkins, Harris, and similar people) is that they assume that faith and religion are questions of proof in the first place.

Faith is trust, not 100% knowledge. Consider the fact that you don't have any way of knowing what your friends and family think about you. For all you know, they could just be using you for thier own benefit. However, no one treats this situation as a possiblity. Why? Because we have FAITH in our friends and family.

Religious people have similar faith in the existence and wisdom of the God, Gods, or philosophy that they follow - there's nothing irrational about this at all, despite the lack of 100% proof. Its the same thing every single person on the planet does their entire lives with the people they love.

Joe Witte, Claremont, CA

It is hoped for all society, people disclose all std's and serious illnesses such as aids to their future partners. If we do not do a better job educating our young and staying on top of what the scientific community is experimenting with, we may soon need to ask if our future partners are indeed 100% human. Gene research and ethical stemcell research to alleviate human suffering is not sinful. The scientist who cloned Dolly gave up cloning to pusue other promising ways to create stem cells without the destruction of a human embryo.

Or, are we keeping our young dumb so they don't get out of hand with gene research? Again, I thank anyone who gives us pause to think about the future of the human race.

Jean Gendall, Honey Brook, USA

Marc, Broken Bow "everything in math must be proven before it can be used. Any high school graduate that has taken even the most fundamental geometry course can attest to this"..."Science offers more than just provisional evidences"

Science offers nothing more than provisional evidence. Read up Kark Popper, foremost philospher of science upon which modern scientists depend.

There is no form of geometry that does not depend on unproven assumptions (axioms). The whole of mathematics has this problem. Further mathematics cannot describe itself without circularity, thus a grand unified theory of everything is not possible mathematicly.

Reasoning itself is a problem: the law of noncontradiction is unproven: is a commonsense assumption. But commonsense is a slippery thing.

Most Christian wars were caused by men ignoring Christ's words, and so are more likely due to men's desire for dominion. Further: religion intruduced the highly civilised "Eye for an Eye", calming many a fued.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK - Typical of one such as yourself to discount anything that doesn't agree with your point of view. If God were to reveal him to an individual would that not be the afformentioned "proof" of his existence?

Furthermore, everything in math must be proven before it can be used. Any high school graduate that has taken even the most fundamental geometry course can attest to this. Science offers more than just provisional evidences, considering that the computer you use to get on the internet is a product of that science. What contribution has religion offered other than intolerance, slaughter, and ignorance? The time for "do this because God says so" is long past. The only two absolutes in this world are creation and destruction. This silly good versus evil agenda is outdated, something to be left in the Age of Pisces.

Marc, Broken Bow, Oklahoma

In response to Steve Hill.
No doubt that the Vatican has works of arts and treasures that is worths millions and maybe even billions of dollars. But, be mindful that these work of arts and treatures are meants for the Glory of God, a treasure to be handed down to humanity till the world ends.

There are so many ways to elevate suffering. Selling of work of arts and treasures within the Vatican will be like we are discarding part of what makes us Catholic.

I think to heal suffering, we need more proactive personal commitments. Selling objects that worth millions ONLY MAKES THE JOB EASY. Christ calls us to go through the NARROW DOOR in order to reach eternity.

Bro Kenneth Gan, Toowong, Australia

Steve Hill "Gene therapy holds out a very real promise of alleviating human suffering on a massive scale"

The Catholic Church is not against gene therapy, only against means that don't respect human life. Ie, it does not countenance "The end justifies then means" which is the beginning of evil. And gene therapy is entirely potential. There is no "real" promise: it has huge obstacles that make it more potential and less real. The sacrifice of the embryos will for the most part be wasted.

Unselfish love is as rare as unselfish philanthropy. Gates will have his satisfactions in what he is doing, but they won't get him in to heaven.

The sacred works of the Vatican are for the purpose of worship, and in truth are worth effectively zero. Poverty's cause is not a lack of money.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

Why is it so difficult to report simple details accurately? The statements made by Bishop Gianfranco Girotti, who is a member of the Vatican's Supreme Tribunal of Apostolic Penitentiary, were made in an interview in L'Osservatore Romano. He was expressing his opinion, not new Church doctrine. The Pope had nothing to do with it.

Kent C, Nocona, TX., USA

Drugs? Does that include alcohol? Tobacco? Botox? Aspirin?

Gene therapy holds out a very real promise of alleviating human suffering on a massive scale (Alzheimers, Parkins, MS....). So any doctor who confers these benefits on society is going to hell?

Bill Gates is obscenely rich. But he's given about $10 billion to charity. Leaving him with about $40 billion to get by on. Does he go to heaven or hell? What dollar value does the Pope consider is his get-out-of-jail-free card worth?

The Catholic church owns works of art worth hundreds of millions. Why not sell them off to alleviate some suffering somewhere? Or are they saving them for a rainier day when there is even more suffering?

Steve Hill, Oxford, UK

Jesus suffered and died for love of us. Before ascending to His Heavenly Kingdom, Jesus appointed a representative on earth as head of His Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. The appointed spiritual leader was the Apostle Peter. Jesus said, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in Heaven.” [Mt. 16:18-9]. Today, the spiritual leader is Pope Benedict XVI, the direct successor of Saint Peter. The Catholic faith is Bible-based and Christ-centered. Read the Bible daily. The Bible scriptures are the inspired and inerrant Word of God written for us.

Faye , Marietta, USA/ GA

Marc, Broken Bow :"Faith - "belief that does not rest on logical proof..."

That is a bogus definition made up by modern philosophers (ref: Kierkegaard and Pascal), also found in the OED, Gawd bless their irreligious socks, and often repeated by ignorant atheists with an anti-religious agenda,

True faith is to freely trust a God who has revealed himself (ie. proven His own existence to the individual). Technical definition "Assent to Divinely revealed Truth". So if God proves His own existence the religious believer would seem to be supremely rational. True Christians do not believe in blind faith. And if God is almighty then the subjectivity problem (as illustrated by "The Matrix") isn't going to be a problem, is it?

Maths is based on commonsense unproven assumptions, science only offers provisional evidence. Religion has the Royal Flush.

It is only necessary to sincerely and perseveringly ask "God, if you exist, please reveal yourself to me". As outlined in the Bible.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

Roz , Barnsley :"Now either he is forgiving, or he isn't, can't have it both ways you know. "

People get forgiven when they are sorry for the wrong they have done. Even Christ outlines that forgiveness does have that one condition. And it does rather make sense, doesn't it? The damned refuse to acknowledge their guilt, sometimes having never recognised it even in this life, and so refuse mercy.

Anyway, faith is trusting in God who has revealed himself to the individual, so it does sound like you never had faith in the first place as you wouldn't forsake belief over something as trivial as a cat when God had already proven himself to you.

Ironically it is quite possible that animals might have a manifestation in the after life, some kind of cat paradise maybe: but the ultimate heaven of Christ is reserved for us who are created in the image of God and faithful to Him, not little beasties.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

The original sin was pride, committed by Lucifer, it would appear from all these comments that when it comes to sin pride is still, pre-eminent.
According to Jesus the Christ, the gates of hell will not prevail against the church He founded ( that would be the same church guided toward Christ by St. Peter AND his heir Pope Benedict XVI).
Please bear in mind that The Creator did not withdraw his authority from the church that Jesus belonged to (though that church too had quite clearly been corrupt through it's whole history) until the above mentioned foundation was laid down by His Son.
All churches include corruption, sin, including pride ; they are all frail human institutions, .
Apparently corruption in and of itself is not an excuse for any mere human to start a new church.
The sin of pride permits that.
Humility (very uncommon in this culture & The Christ's strong suit) might promote recognition that Jesus would surely agree with Pope Benedict XVI in this case .

W. Bruce Cliber, Allyn, USA, WA

I gave up with religion at five years old when I asked if I would see my cat in heaven. I was told not to be so stupid as only the good went to heaven. I decided then that heaven must be the most boring place imaginable, and I for one didn't want to go.

A few years later it occurred to me that there was something gravely wrong with religious teachings. On one hand God was supposed to be all loving and forgiving, yet on the other if we didn't behave ourselves we went to hell. Now either he is forgiving, or he isn't, can't have it both ways you know.

Roz , Barnsley, South Yorkshire

Faith - "belief that does not rest on logical proof..."
Proof - "anything serving as such evidence"
Evidence - "a thing or things helpful in forming a conclusion"
Conclusion - "the result or outcome of an act or process"
Process - "a series of actions, changes, or functions bringing about a result"
Result - "to come about as a consequence"
Consequense - "something that logically or naturally follows from an action or condition"
Logic - "a system of reasoning"
Reason - "an underlying fact or cause that provides logical sense for a premise or occurrence"
Fact - "knowledge or information based on real occurrences"
Knowledge - "familiarity, awareness, or understanding gained through experience or study"
Awareness - "having knowledge or cognizance"
Ignorance - "the condition of being uneducated, unaware, or uninformed"
Belief - "mental acceptance of and conviction in the truth, actuality, or validity of something"
Therefore, faith is conviction in the validity of ignorance

Marc, Broken Bow, Oklahoma

The theology of this is fascinating. Were these sins last week as well?

If they were, then this Pope and all his predecessors have been fallible.

If they weren't, then God is fallible.

Place your bets... and remember that you only get one chance to guess correctly!

Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK

if the Pope is in touch with God why didn't he warn us not to pollute before scientists found out it was harming the enviroment.

thomas, newcastle, co.down

Just for the sake of Argument, and ignoring the Bible as a piece of factual evidence...where are the records of Jesus? Keeping in mind that in this time and age, Jerusalem and the surrounding countries were under Roman rule (a place known for it's scribes and philosophers) and considering this man apparently healed lepers, made the blind see, turned water to wine, fed thousands with little food, and walked on water, wouldn't a third party, some vaguely known Roman theologist perhaps, have documented something, ANYTHING that Jesus did? I can only think of three, myself, and they spoke only of a person called Christ, Christus, or Christos, and none of those are names, but titles, and they mentioned nothing of miracles. in fact, the sections in which 'Christ' was mentioned is often less than two sentences in length; and, again, completely devoid of reference to anything even vaguely related to 'miracles'. So, I, like Kain, will point people towards

www.zeitgeistmovie.com

Watch...learn.

Sabriel Abhorrsen, Colorado Springs, Colorado

To J, from Waynesboro-
1) Read up on Occam's Razor. Lewis forgets the fact that, all things being equal, the simplest solution is the best. Relying on the idea of a God to answer the questions is far beyond simple. Furthermore, Lewis' argument is circular, thereby fallacious. You cannot find something that does not exist, so arguing that we were not supposed to not find something that doesn't exist is inherently misleading.
2) I'm interested in knowing where you got your "science" because any peer-reviewed journal that I've read about the second law of thermodynamics and entropy does not in any way correllate with the arguments I've seen ID'ers make. ID'ers tend make many dubious and simplistic assumptions about thermodynamics, a field that even the physicists agree is incredibly complex.

Get your scientific knowledge from scientists, not church pamphlets or fringe websites.

Nick, Marlborough,

Belief in God and Christ is not about religious duties or rules. In fact, read the New Testament and you will see Jesus Himself came to denounce religion and abolish the vestiges of laws inherited from the Old Testament age. We can try to live by mottos, sayings, or the Ten Commandments, but the letter of the law condemns us to failure and death without the Holy Spirit granting us life and understanding.

Only if we can seek a personal relationship with God and seek the truth for ourselves away from all the false interpretations and accusations weighing us down...

JR, Lubbock, TX

All very interesting... but not very Biblical. Given that the Catholic Church is supposed to be Christian institution it would be better to look to the Bible for it's understanding of sin, rather than create its own definitions. Biblically speaking we are all sinners and all sins are equally serious. To try to create lists of modern sins misses the point completely.

And by the way... for all the atheist religionists taking the time to ridicule religion... the FACT that human beings are inherently evil (you don't have to teach a child to be bad, only to be good) is ONE good bit of evidence for the truth of the Bible's message.

Andrew brown, derby, UK

Since contributing to environmental pollution will now be considered a sin, does this mean that the Pope et al will no longer be transported from point A to point B by way of a motorized vehicle using a combustion engine?

I hear they are redesigning the pope mobile to be pedal powered. Can't wait to see the pope in lycra shorts doing his bit for the environment.

Russ, Reading, UK

What a joke. did an angel come down to en-part these gems or did god speak directly to the pope ?

If i claimed god was talking to me i'd be told to take my meds.

So is it still a sin to sell pot in Holland or that OK because its only illegal drugs that count ? Is something Dr Suglin thinks up only a sin once its declared illegal or is anyone selling drugs even while its legal still going to hell ? should i sell or my big pharma share or are they sin free ?

Gavin, London, UK

The Pope also complained that an increasing number of people in the secularised West were “making do without God”.

Because the veil is finally being lifted !

shehamforash, Mpls,Mn,

A Jesuit Priest who had lost his faith told me once "Sin lies in hurting other people unnecessarily, all other sins are invented nonsense. (Hurting yourself isn't sinful, Just Stupid)".
I shall meet my God (if there is one) alone with no-one to speak for me. Only I can answer for myself and my life.
Sooner people realized this the happier they would be, the Church however would be out of Business.

Howard, Basildon, England

Hey where does the dinosaurs fit in , there not in the bible does that mean they didnt exist, love to hear the popes views on that subject, Im sure there just bigger sins of the past

randall, Los Angeles, USA

Has anyone actually read the 10 commandments!!! Do not covat they neighbours goat. Is that seriously meant to be the taken as the concerns of the creator of the universe. I am so glad I have seen the light and become an atheist!

Matthew M, Dundee,

What about the deadliest sin of all. Hyprocrisy, especially from religious people?

John, London,

Well, since we are dumbing down students so much these days in school, someone needs to stand up and say something about what is going on around them. I thank anyone who gives us all time to think.

No one can argue that the bioethic frontier is pushing the limits of what is acceptable means of experimenting with the future of the human race.

We all need to get to the heart of the matter here and leave out the hate of the source.

Jean Gendall, Honey Brook, USA

Ian, he was a child at the time. And membership of the HItler Youth was COMPULSORY. I'm not a practicing Christian of any kind so this discussion doesn't really interest me but it does irk me that Catholics are used as such scapegoats. Seems to me like it's (still) one of the most acceptable prejudices in this country. After anti-americanism of course.

Jack, Devon,

I heard there were also 12 not-quite-so-deadly tics, 4 very annoying behaviours, 3 obnoxious habits, and 2 colognes that are now officially forbidden by God. But you can still get in on the new seven sins, at least until easter sunday, when they kick in. So if you want to get rich while coveting your neighbors stem cells, do it now, or you'll have to confess later.

Wilbur Varela, Los Angeles, california, usa

I'd better get on and start committing all these new ones to be on the safe side - God knows, I wouldn't like to end up spending eternal life with a bunch of Christians.

Charlie, Munich,

If Religion were to be made a sin, wouldn't we cure most of the problems we do have on this planet?

MG, Portsmouth,

Have I missed something, or does this article start off by saying the Vatican has produced a new list of sins, but then it doesn't actually give that list anywhere in the article?

John Tee-Rhodes, Manchester,

Oh dear! Just when I thought it was safe to carry on! I thought it was the multinationals, the corrupt governments and supermarkets who were the real baddies. Are you telling me morality has a personal dimension too?

Bill, Yeovil, UK

religion itself should be a sin... as a wiser man than me once said 'without religion good people do good things and bad people do bad things but it takes religion to make a good man do bad things'.

phil mann, newcastle upon tyne, england

The seven sins being abstract by nature, I reckon fully encompass the issues the Pope has highlighted. Still man being man, if there is a way to pretend their behaviour is of no problem, many take it.

The Pope stands up and highlights these behaviours as wrong, as a leader some wil listen, and the sinners can no longer live in blissful denial, no more, "I'm all right, me!".

Or then again, there are many religions, many think religion is outdated; the sinners will continue, this time in blissful rumintation.

Monk, Middle of nowhere, East Anglia

Hardly surprising the Catholic Church should be anxious to replace the origional 7 Deadly Sins - it was clearly guilty of all of them.

Ken Leyland, Liverpool, U.K.

This once again is one of my very many reasons for qualms with the Catholic church... A sin is a sin for the singular reason that sinners end up in only one place. HELL. This is what he should be promulgating, not all this malarkey about different sin types.

chinomnso obi, london, uk/london

As well as Spamming they should have added Talking in the Theatre. There is a special place in hell for them.

Gus, Kerry, Ireland

I have not read the Pope's statement, but I am sure that he would make the point that the "new" sins are merely products of the old seven deadly sins. I think somebody once said all sin is unoriginal and dull.

Philip Humphrey, Wellingborough, UK

"Atheism turns out to be too simple. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning......" CS Lewis
Second law of thermo dynamics? There was an intelligent design! Read your science not your USA Today for knowledge!

J, Waynesboro, va

The old 7 sins are essentially emotions. The new are all actions. This appears to be a move from providing a guide to moral behaviour to a political stance on what we should not do. Why is the Catholic church moving into politics?

Noah, knutsford, uk

The major sin which everyone commits is spoken about by Jesus when he was asked about the commandments, he said: "Hear O Israel, the Lord your God is one and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind and with all your strength and you shall love your neighbour as yourself." When was the last time any one of us could say, with conviction, that they loved God with all their heart, mind and strength, let alone their neighbour? As for who is our neighbour, look at the world and there your 'neighbour' is. So listing various 'sins' is completely irrelevant if we are unable to fulfil the first one. Though it makes a good story I suppose.

Julia Pomeroy, Chester, UK

Weren't we taught that souls are immortal...

AB, Dublin, Ireland

A great way to start a debate about the seven sins appearing in the modern world, in ways which are not always recognised as sinful. The sins are of course abstract by construction, taking account of the many factors which affect a judgement, and the impulsive nature, of many of this race.

So nothing has changed really, except sinners can no longer say, because a leader has not specifically stated their behaviour as sinful, "I'm all right me!"

Monk, Middle of Nowhere, East Anglia

It's bad enough having a superstition, without having it dictate your life to this extent! While the 10 commandments are quite a practical set of rules for society, it needed no god or religion to establish them, practicality would have done it in short order. But as for deadly sins - honestly, if it wasn't meant to be serious it would be funny!
Oh OK it is funny!
MA

Mike Asacret, cambridge, Cambs,

Todays society, certainly in the UK, has become very self centred. We take credit for granted, 'wanting it now'. We want new cars, televisions, computers, video games, sattellite and cable, cheap alcohol. We polute our environment because we can't be bothered to put litter in waste bins, we dump our larger items on the side of the road, we make it somebody elses problem. And when somebody criticises our excesses, we object. There are none so blind as those who will not see. I am not a supporter of the Catholic religion, but I do beleive in God. It is about time we recognised what we are doing to our lives and this planet. We don't own it, we are it's caretakers,and we're not doing a good job of taking care of it. Don't blame Governments, it's the responsibility of EVERY ONE OF US.

Ron, Milton Keynes, Bucks

You can definately see why religion is the cause of so many wars. Since when did "God" spell out the punishments listed at the end of the article. Does the giving of the punishment not then make that person a sinner lol

Absolute rubbish. I am sure that 99.9% of us are destined to eternity in hell surrounded by Sex, Drugs, Drink, Lots of food, and plenty of heat .... Fantastic ;-)

Mark Websper, margate, Kent

greg, I think you're missing the point. people who want to be good catholics must try to abstain and try not to use contraceptives. it is against human nature to abstain, although the strong-willed may resist. when they crack, they tend to crack on the abstention, but not on the contraception. that's what causes a problem.

not being a catholic does not preclude me commenting - based on observable behaviour. generally, it is irresponsible not to encourage condom use if people are going to ignore the abstention rule. do you think the rule is more important than the devastating consequences? do people deserve to die for being unable to abstain? it seems draconian. although not out of character.

people are not perfect. you need to allow for that. perhaps you need to learn to forgive, eh?

jem, london, uk

Really Il get my copy righty away and I sopose the holacost didnt happen either, just replying to the guy who says we are uninformed , Please

randall, Los Angeles, USA

Continuing from a previous post:

...Not to mention this article (http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,833509,00.html) highlighting the Church's avoiding taxation on dividends in the 1960s.

To the vehement defenders of the Roman Catholic Church; if the church publically states what is obviously hypocrasy, criticism is surely to be expected. Over 1500 years of being able to murder criticis of the Church, in the name of God as heretics, has come to an end.

Perhaps the Church should spend more time conducting transperant inquiries into the origins of the Bible and the Church's adjustments to it and their teachings for political gain ever since it was written in the mutual back scratching exercise with Emperor Constatine in 325 AD than it does on what mortal sins they should dictate.

Aaron, Melbourne, VIC Australia

Good for business as all of us commit them. But only If he can get us to feel bad enough about being human that we confess before him or his misguided henchmen. Once we have confessed we naturally feel indebted and help him grow his property portfolio?

Carl, Sandton, South Africa

I have an idea to settle this once and for all, why do we not just ask GOD to shed some light on this..... oh thats right like the tooth fairy and santa he is NOT REAL!

Bob, Adams, Sussex

...and weren't we taught that the soul is immortal?

AB, Dublin, Ireland

The uninformed comments about Catholicism on this page are astounding. To address just a few:
1) as to the Vatican's wealth - the Catholic Church is the largest charitable institution on the earth, giving more in a year than all UN programs combined
2) celibacy itself does not lead to pedophilia - how do you account for married men, school teachers or Protestant clergy who sexually abuse children?
3) "when the Church ran things it was called the Dark Ages" - that's a real groaner. Have a go at Regine Pernoud's book "Those Terrible Middle Ages: Debunking the Myths"

Ignorance is not a sin. Mental sloth on the other hand . . .

Randall, Keller, TX

We've got one just like him - Dr Williams. You two should meet.

Mark, Yorkshire,

Since contributing to environmental pollution will now be considered a sin, does this mean that the Pope et al will no longer be transported from point A to point B by way of a motorized vehicle using a combustion engine? I guess we'll begin seeing them transported via horse and carriage. Does this mean they will no longer use batteries, or wash their clothes with chemical-laden products, or burn incense or candles? I'm also wondering what products their gardeners use so as not to contribute to eutrophication. Curious.

Steve & Lisa C, Sterling Heights, Michigan

The cult of misery is always hard at work, always dreaming up shiny new "sins" and nifty new rationalisations for attacking our freedoms. It's great to know that some things never change.

Personally, I think that bringing up children to accept the moral authority of popes, priests, preachers, pastors, presbyters, pardoners, and all other such pretenders, is reprehensible ... though not exactly a "sin". The idea of sin implies a deity to sin against, and I haven't noticed any deities around these parts of late.

Russell Blackford, Melbourne, Australia

The only unpardonable sin mentioned in Scripture is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. ALL sin is deadly if Christ is not excepted as Savior. Yet Christ paid the penalty for all sin. A sinner must repent and by faith accept God's promise of forgiveness and the Christians PENALTY for sin is DONE AWAY WITH FOREVER by the sealing of the Holy Spirit. A Christian can and will sin but the penalty has been paid. As a Christian I will never have to face eternal punishment for sin. As long as we are in the flesh we will sin. But as a Christian there is Godly sorrow when we sjn because we have sinned against God. 1 John tells us we have an advocate with the Father in Jesus Christ if we sin. Christ died ONCE FOR ALL. I only have to believe ONCE FOR ALL and live a life of believing God's promises. The duty of man is to Love God and keep his commandments. (Ecclesiastes) The Pope is as guilty of sin as the rest of the world. ONLY MY SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST IS SINLESS AND COULD PAY THE PENALTY

Bruce Higgs, Greer, SC

It really bothers me that the Catholic Church takes everything the Pope declares as religious law. He is not God. He does not have any sort of special connection to God that makes whatever he says right. He is simply a human who may have a relationship with God, but none better or different than one that everyone of us can have.

The seven deadly sins are not Biblical. If you want to know the truth, read the true words of Jesus in any of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). John 14:6 says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." That means that Jesus is the only truth, not a human who the Church says is correct. Trying to get to God through the pope will not save us. It's only through a personal relationship with God that we can have eternal life. God loves you and wants to be a part of your life and bless you! Go to Him and let His words be your truth.

Laura, Blacksburg, VA

Look, to those promoting the church by claiming that people lead more "moralistic" lives because of religion - perhaps you're right. But if you have to justify your religious "beliefs" in this way, then clearly, you don't actually believe them. Just because something supposedly makes society better (which is arguable) doesn't mean that it is the truth.

On that point, I've long believed that the true radicals of any religion (such as Muslim fundamentalists) are much more rational than their moderate counterparts. True radicals who are willing to die for their beliefs and protest any grievances against their faith clearly BELIEVE what they profess to believe (which is logical). Christians often suggest their superiority over these fundamentalists by pointing out the fact that they do not get upset and react strongly when someone offends their God and their beliefs. Yet if they truly, deep down, believed in their faith, shouldn't they be just as willing to defend it?

Steve, Michigan, USA

You would think the Catholic church would realize that something like this could only further hurt their image. Then again, maybe not.

John, Jackson, USA

I simply cannot see why religion is even alive at all given the advancement of science and technology.
I can understand that the moral guidelines laid down by Christianity (used as an example, other religions also) may of benefit to those in need of moral guidance, but surly society can incorporate such things into its educational/rehabilitation systems?
Perhaps the abandonment of religion is no more than humans reaching enlightenment by their own means and rules?
7 new sins? Isn't God himself now guilty of cloning us "in his own image"?

Raymond Hilder, Chatham, England

It appears to me to be another example of media hype and exaggerations. In our experience as Catholics the news of such changes usually filters down to the congregations before being accepted and made 'law" so to speak. We have not heard any such news of these changes through our own parishes yet. Perhaps this is a discussion that is going on in Rome that is being considered.

The reason faithful catholics do not go to confession is not that there are not enough sins to label their actions or intentions. More likely they simply do not realise the current ones are still valid - even in the modern world.

As far as obscene wealth goes - I just don't get it. Two families I know and work with are in my opinion excessively wealthy with net wealth in the billions yet they also give away more than 10% to charities and communities in need. To say excessive wealth is a sin is wrong unless you explain under what conditions or criteria this is sinful.

More explanation from the church is requir

John Burrell, Timaru, NZ

So now "thou shalt not ruin the environment". Strange that environmental damage, while not obviously exclusive to, is a big feature of overcrowded catholic countries. As also is povery and disease. How about "thou shalt not ruin the environment by banning contraception". God will not provide, and before long neither will we be able to.

D.L. Stephens, York, England

Wow! It never ceases to amaze me how much people hate the Church's teachings! I guess it shouldn't, considering the response Christ Himself got....

I am SOOOO grateful to be a Catholic and for the Church's guidance. It has helped me not to make excuses for myself when I've done something wrong (and that is often!), but at the same time, not to give up trying to do what I ought. God loves us--no matter what we do or neglect doing.

Church leaders are not trying to anger or depress people, but alert us to activities that are harmful to us as individuals and as a society. They are not winning any popularity contestsor gaining any power, so what do they have to gain by teaching what they do? What did Christ have to gain by teaching what He did?

We are all going to die and what happens then? If the Church is wrong but you live by her teachings, you will have unnecessarily lived a disciplined life. If the Church is true and you follow her teachings, you will thank God.

Mary, Cape Breton, NS, Canada

I don't really know what to believe anymore. I wasn't raised in a religious home so I can't intelligently speak on this but I don't think I believe that the church or man should be able to decide what will send us to hell or not. I mean I understand keeping up with the "times" but how does someone define some of these sins? We all pollute the environment daily if we step foot in a car... and taking drugs... I guess I get it for the cocain addicts but what about the cancer patient who is using it for medicinal purposes? Where are the lines?

Erin, Calgary, Canada

This article explains why the Catholic church is being rejected by more and more of its followers. Total insanity is hard for this most gullible to ignore.

Roxie, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

But will anyone with an IQ higher than their shoe pay any attention to what an irrelevant old peddler of superstition has to say?

Mark Allen, Nottingham,

Isn't this the same pope who was a member of the Hitler Youth? How about "Thou shalt not support the slaughter of 6 million people" or "Thou shalt not invade neighboring nations and start a war that kills over 40 million people". Oh right, popes are infallible. I forgot.

Ian, New York, USA

Quoting billy b, cardiff: "is quite clear to anyone who is not mentally ill, that religion is evil and a construct of man to subjugate the uneducated masses [...] Are the Catholics going to hell ..... for beng so close minded, judgemental and shallow , causing more hate and war than anyone else"

Talk about bigotry...! And we're closed minded. Don't worry mate, I'll pray to the Virgin Mary for you specially tonight ;-)

Rory, York, UK

I can think of some much better ones:

Thou shalt not use God for political ends
Thou shalt not use God to implement structures of social control

These alone would solve half the world's problems.

Besides, who can take any of this seriously? The entire Bible is a blatant work of plagiarism. The virgin birth, crucifixion, resurrection, working of miracles, ten commandments, twelve disciples, three kings, star in the east, great flood etc etc etc are all borrowed from earlier faiths, particularly the Egyptian.

Jonathan, Auckland, New Zealand

The Catholic church has just lost all credibility. Unbelievable.

Dominic, New Zealand,

the accumulation of excessive wealth !

Have you seen the vatican museums ??!

when they start to sell this off and give the accumulated wealth to the poor then I might take this seriously

kevin wellington, istanbul, turkey

"Catholics form some 25-30% of the population of the USA"

That is certainly one way to put it, but not really the truth. in 2001 24.5% of American adults claimed to be Catholic, But only 11% of the American population actually go to church. So in my reckoning that would make no more than 3% of the population of the USA being Catholic. The rest who claim to be Catholic are only catholic though birth, to many it is nothing more than a label, something they were born with.

I was born a Catholic too, I spent most of my youth being brainwashed. Lucky for me though I actually grew up to become half intelligent and therefore was able to see through the sham that it organized religion and the Catholic church in particular.

The Catholic church has a pretty impressive investment and property portfolio for a body seemingly so concerned with the immoral accumulation of wealth. Though maybe when the floodgates are fully open they are banking on losing all of that in compensation pay outs!!

GM, Brisbane,

My Goodness. The hypocrisy is breathtaking!

How about some new sins..

1) Their myopic policies creating an aids epidemic in Africa on the scale of the holocaust.

2) Actively encouraging the exponential and unsustainable population growth that absolutely DOES breed environmental destruction and poverty. When is enough? One hundred billion, two hundred billion?

3) The suppression of knowledge for nearly 2 millennium? How long did it take the "infallible" Church to apologise to Galileo for actually reporting the truth? 300 years? Think the hotline to God is a bit faulty.

4) Terrorising Children by threatening them with eternal damnation and torment by their "loving God", who is so paranoid and desperate that he will incinerate you for eternity, should you not worship him. Sound like a human trait perchance?

5) Making up new dogma's as you go along?

6) Disseminating untruths as truths in the insidious propaganda war against knowledge.

7) Proselytizing the young before the age of 14

Vaal, Newbury, England

Just a few questions:

Why do I need the pontiff of the catholic organization to define 7 deadly sins? Did not Jesus Christ die for ALL sin?

Are these 7 sins supposed to somehow be more serious offenses (requiring more severe punishment) than "lesser" sins?

Where is grace? Is not the sacrifice of God's only begotten son sufficient to cover every sin? If there could be one sin that Jesus' blood could not cover, would not God have been obligated by his divine and perfect nature to have created a more excellent sacrifice?

Phil R. Bales, Columbus, IN / United States of America

So every time that i drive my car to get to church... i then have to confess my partaking in the deadly sin of polluting the environment ...???

one fifth or the worlds population holds over 80% of the worlds wealth. i think thats a perfect example of "the excessive accumulation of wealth by a few”

so what? are we all dammed to hell now?

And what if i committed these sins in the past, before they were recognized as sins? should i repent? Or are they only sins now that the church says they are?

James Carton, calgary,

If 'being obscenely rich' is to be a sin then the Catholic church is guilty straight away.

G.P.M. Oxford

Mr Morgan, Oxford, UK

I was born a christian and according to the rules....i was born guilty so i dont need any more rules to tell me of my guilt.
if the church requires me to be more guilty, then we have to reopen negotiations....not to mention the competition for or the inflation on religious values and doctrine.
If i have to pay for my sins, then they have to pay to condemn me.
Tis a fair price......It's all about balance.

pazz, london, UK

many, many people here beliving that a more god fearing place would be a better place to live. However, I believe it is the case that the more pious southern states have much higher rates of violent crime than those which are more secular. That would suggest to me that if you constantly hit people with absoluist rules endemic of the catholics it'll find an outlet no matter how much god you have. Take a leaf out of our book and have a go at protestantism, it's watered wine to the catholics 80% proof god liquer and won't get you nearly as fanatically drunk, 'clink', cheers.

Matthew, Lancashire, UK.

Too many Gods - not enough conscience - if you do what you do because "you" consider it to be "right", it probably is - anything else is probably some sort of indoctrination.

Marty, London, England

Seven new sins, eh?

Proof that they really are just making this guff up as they go along. As though we needed confirmation of that.

Steve Payne, Leicester,

In response to Jenna, I don't know why you're worried about what the Catholic church says because as you said, you do what you want anyway! The Catholic Church doesn't make choices for you, the Catholic Church believes in free will and that one should make their own choices about the way they live, but they hope and wish that people will make the right choices, on which they give guidance.

As for the article itself, when is the media going to start representing religions as they actually are? Whoever wrote this piece I feel has a basic knowledge of Catholism. It is the misrepresentation of religion that causes so much of these negative feelings towards it when really we should respect peoples beliefs even if they are not our own.

Gemma, london,

When you teach your children that there is no greater force than their own greed and self interest, you find yourself in todays England - adolescent drunken gangs roaming the streets, whose heros are overpaid undertalented sportsmen or vacuous siliconed wags; Government ministers who emulate and openly praise third world dictators; armed forces who are jeered at for wearing their uniforms. When people are not taught to have a God to respect, they loose respect for themselves and their fellow human beings.

Linda, London, UK

Does this mean that there'll be a remake of the "Seven" movie? Perhaps with the title of "Fourteen"? I am soooo NOT petrified as a scientist who manipulates DNA. Did God just make up his mind about these new sins, and is this Pope his messenger??? And as to “the excessive accumulation of wealth by a few”, why doesn't the Vatican give the rest of us sinners an example, and distribute their excessive wealth to the starving and the needy?

Sabrina, Nottingham, UK

Take a look at the values of the Catholic Church and the many charity works promoted and supported by Catholics before you write it off as a faith. No good has ever come from men trying to be their own gods.

Sara Campbell, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

He's forgotten about Invading countries and stealing their oil.
Has Mr Pope been talking to Mr Blair?

Jayil, london, uk

I think it is quite clear to anyone who is not mentally ill, that religion is evil and a construct of man to subjugate the uneducated masses

Catholocism blatantly so

Am I going to hell?? for not believing in God but leading a relativly good life ???

Or are the Catholics going to hell ..... for beng so close minded, judgemental and shallow , causing more hate and war than anyone else whilst hoarding their wealth in lavish cities/churches steeped in riches ???

I don't lose any sleep over it

billyb, Cardiff, Wales

Given that Catholics form some 25-30% of the population of the USA, I will never cease to be amazed at the universal ignorance and hatred shown on any page attached to any article at all in the Press written about the Catholic Church. There are two types: the secular hater of Catholicism or of any religion; and those who are perhaps Southern Baptists (inferring their provenance from between the lines of the drivel they all write). You Baptists were the radicals of Europe, you went to the States all those hundreds of years ago and got lost, didn't you? Separated from civilisation and from history for too long, no doubt. You have retained your rank bigotry in all its glorious and marvellous ignorance. One can only feel sorry for you all, and pray that instead of fulminating about the Catholic Church, you might just try to buy a few books and find out something about it. But perhaps you aren't so good with that reading thing.

Benedict Carter, Moscow, Russia

The Pope and the Vatican are desperately attempting to regain their power over the people. Creating new sins, and inciting hatred against scientists and doctors who commit those "sins". Well as a scientist and a pagan I can say, that this time the tyranny of the church shall not spread and kill millions of innocents.

Paul, The Hague, Netherlands

Odd that the "accumulation of wealth by a few" is now a mortal sin but the Vatican is the richest country on Earth, per capita. Odd. They must not have thought this through.

In order to restore balance and negate the churches damnable wealth, we should all just stop giving them money.

bryan arrington, Johnstown, PA

“the excessive accumulation of wealth by a few”.

Had to laugh when I saw the Church quoting this as a sin. I assume we will now see a firesale of all the Catholic Churches valuable art, treasure and property so they aren't all condemned to eternal damnation. Hmm perhaps not.

Double standards? Not from the church surely....

Richard Tiernan, Nottingham,

Who exactly is the Vatican to be able to dish out judgement?

How original! Lets modernise the definition of the 7 deadly sins. Its as if the people of this world do not have enough on their plate to worry about, we have this monkey spreading the 'good news' once again! Is it not the point of religions to help guide people to better spiritual lives and helping others down the correct path instead constantly judging?

Representatives of religion have yet again proven how morally and spiritual bankrupt the church really is with statements such as this. It is no surprise that people turn away from their respective faiths.

Debt, London,

Hilarious. They should start a religion. Great hat and dress sense, but they need to go with the unshaven look if they want to be taken seriously.

Gregg, London,

I wish if the catholic church will stop telling people what is right and wrong.. if i want to committ one of the seven deadly sins.. I WILL. that is my choice.. and i am not going to let someone like the catholic church make those chooses for me.

Jenna, Worcester, Massachusetts USA

Statements such as these from the Church are intended for Catholics, not the public at large. The only reason they are published in The Times is because the editorial staff realise that religion is an emotive issue and they want more hits on their website. It's not a conspiracy to 'convert' you or order you around.
If you don't want to follow these rules, good for you. That's your choice. Let me as a Catholic, make mine.

Rory, York, UK

Anyone know the punishment meted out for the sin of downloading dozens of gigabytes of free music and software? Is it that the sinner be forced to eat numerous cakes? Sure hope so....

Jack, London, UK

"Do unto others [including the poor, the unborn, etc.] as you would want them to do unto you [if you were in their place]."

Live by that -- it's not as easy to do as it is to say or read. If you REALLY try to live by this rule, God will dwell in your heart and you will be loving your neighbor.

Tom Reynolds, Hopewell Junction, New york

Catholics. They should look to their own hate and bigotry first before pronouncing their fate upon the rest of us. Interesting that is it is men, old men at that, that are trying to tell women what offends us the most.

If only Catholics listened to Jesus instead of the Pope, then perhaps the Catholicism would be