America's sin cities

A recent article in Tennessean (Nashville's newspaper) called "The Way To Sin Cities" declares; "now that the stock market has plummeted, the topic of sin is back in."

The article reveals that a group of geographers from Kansas State University recently mapped out the 7 deadly sins to show which sins are committed in which parts of the United States. The mapmakers used census data in an attempt to determine in which locations the sins were committed most frequently.

The Tennessean quotes Phyllis Tickle (former religion editor for Publishers Weekly/author of part of Oxford University's book series about the 7 deadly sins) as saying: "The interest in the sin maps is a sign of the times." Tickle says "It may sound primitive, but when things go bad, we start looking around to see what we did wrong."

Moral wrong doing has negative consequences. In times of prosperity many of sins' negative consequences can be covered up and/or compensated by affluence and facade. However, when times become difficult, the consequences of our sins become more obvious. We often call this a "wake-up call" or "hitting bottom." When things get bad, we are often shaken out of denial and begin to realize that we have done wrong -- we have sinned.

This is a good thing. The answer to sin's bondage and carnage is repentance. Repentance involves: 1) Recognizing, feeling, and admitting the wrongfulness of one's sins; 2) Openly acknowledging one's wrongful thoughts and behavior; 3) Apologizing and asking for forgiveness; 4) Stopping engaging in sinful thoughts and behaviors; 5) Making amends to those we have wronged; and 6) Replacing one's sins with positive, wholesome, holy thoughts and behaviors.

Perhaps instead of mapping the sins of geographic areas across the United States we should have the courage to map the sins of our own heart and life. After all, we are helpless to stop the sins of others, but we all have the ability to admit and to stop our own sins.

Perhaps Orthodox monks have it right. For almost 2,000 years they have taught and practiced this prayer. "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner."