The study assumes, as do some theologians, that pride is the nasty combo of all the others. On the right are the demographics for PRIDE. The report says that Pride is the "Aggregate of the other six offenses—because pride is the root of all sin." 
In that they have St. Thomas Aquinas to thank, "We must therefore say that pride, even as denoting a special sin, is the beginning of every sin. For we must take note that, in voluntary actions, such as sins, there is a twofold order, of intention, and of execution."How pleasant it is to see the most of the brethren dwelling together in unity here. The coastal northeast and southwest, filled with strange and curious people who call themselves liberal, and in the great southern crescent the evangelical south. Oddly, Pittsburgh escapes, and indeed is seen to be among the more saintly parts of the country. Virginia is a lost cause. Delaware gets 4 of the 6 in the combo package.
Its a good thing we are hanging out with the Lutherans, whose great strength in the heartland is accompanied by saintly gold on the map.
Again, here it is on the WIRED website.
There's lots of work to do and miles before we sleep.
Hi Mark. Thanks for this. You might be interested in the spooky comparison I've done in a blog post. Am I just seeing things...?
ReplyDeleteI noticed that some of the heaviest concentrations of the 7 Deadly sins is South Carolina, bastion of orthodoxy and Congressman "You lie" Joe Wilson. Hmmmmm.
ReplyDeleteFr. Maxwell Smart+
I always knew Florida was Sinville, and now have the proof!!
ReplyDeleteThe South is also America's most religious area; clearly religion does have an effect on morals.
ReplyDeleteThe number of atheists/agnostics/"none of the aboves" in US prison is about 2%; we're about 15% of the population (and rising).
See any correlations?
Mark, it appears that only the east coast, northern very southern and parts sections of Virginia are a "lost cause." Are you looking at North Carolina?
ReplyDeleteOf course, much of that red area is where Virginia's population is the most concentrated. And one must laugh a bit, since there are so many morals statutes - it's even illegal to defame the good reputation of a "pure" women here.