Hello,
I received two stories from a friend. The connections are vague to begin with but at the end of the second story you really wonder on how the elements combine to give you a second shot.
STORY NUMBER ONE
Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago . Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.
Capone had a lawyer nicknamed "Easy Eddie." He was Capone's lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie's skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time.
To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big, but Eddie got special dividends, as well. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block.
Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him.
Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object.
And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was.
Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn't give his son; he couldn't pass on a good name or a good example.
One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie wanted to rectify wrongs he had done.
He decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al "Scarface" Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. So, he testified.
Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago Street . But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay. Police removed from his p ockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine.
The poem read:
"The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour. Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time. For the clock may soon be still."
STORY NUMBER TWO
World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O'Hare.
He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific.
One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and real ized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank.
He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship.
His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet.
As he was returning to the mother ship, he saw something that turned his blood cold; a squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding its way toward the American fleet.
The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenseless. He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet.
Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing- mounted 50 caliber's blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent..
Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as m any enemy planes as possible, rendering them unfit to fly.
Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction.
Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier.
Upon arrival, he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft. This took place on February 20, 1942 , and for that action Butch became the Navy's first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor.
A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His home town would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man.
So, the next time you find yourself at O'Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch's memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It's located between Terminals 1 and 2.
SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?
Butch O'Hare was "Easy Eddie's" son
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
How to say No and live with it
Hello,
As discussed in my previous post on the subject I will now list down the seven main ways people use to say 'No' when they are not ready to commit to your request for help.
It is also important to understand that whenever people approach you for help they already have the idea that they may hear a 'No' for the answer. It is not always a shock or a reason for grief if we say 'No'.
The 7 simple ways to say no. Use the method that best meets your needs in the situation.
1. “I am sorry but as my priorities are different right now I can’t commit to this.”
Most of the times we are actually busy doing something for ourself and if the request for help comes for doing something absolutely out of the way, e.g. if you are committed to staying indoors and the request is for some outdoor chore you can easily opt for this method of saying 'No' without hurting the person making the request.
2. “Can we talk about this later after I finish attending to something I am doing right now."
This way you can actually show that you empathize with the problem of the requester and would attend to it when you have time. Sometimes it is even better if you fix a time instead of saying later. The request gets held off temporarily, gets solved by itself during the cooling period or the requester finds someone else who can attend to his issue on immediate basis.
3. “It is so much up my street but..."
The requester feels that you really wanted to help. You show that you could have helped but due to reasons beyond control you can not.
4. “Give me some time, I’ll get back to you.”
With this 'Maybe' kind of reply the requester is pushed away for a while. This gives you time to think over and decide whether you have the time and inclination to help out.
5. “I’ll surely keep it in mind.”
This is once again not a direct 'No' but it is also not a 'yes'. The requester knows that you are not interested presently but there are chances you may get interested later. This works well with Sales people who will persist with a sale idea. This kind of reply helps you avoid an unneccesary purchase but does not break the relationship which can be used for later purchases.
6. “Have you asked X, I think he/she is the right person for this job?”
Once again you have not said 'No' outright but you have indicated that you do not feel you can contribute much and instead have offered an option that is more suitable. If your suggestion clicks and the person gets the help from the source you have identified for him/her you have earned their loyalty as well.
7. “Sorry but I have to say No.”
As stated in the beginning most people who ask for help are ready for this answer. In most case you may find out that you were just one of the option he/se had in mind when asking for help.
Once we have said 'No' we can devote time and energy to tasks we need to focus on and continue to maintain a harmonious relationship with the person who was asking for help.
Best regards,
Manoj
As discussed in my previous post on the subject I will now list down the seven main ways people use to say 'No' when they are not ready to commit to your request for help.
It is also important to understand that whenever people approach you for help they already have the idea that they may hear a 'No' for the answer. It is not always a shock or a reason for grief if we say 'No'.
The 7 simple ways to say no. Use the method that best meets your needs in the situation.
1. “I am sorry but as my priorities are different right now I can’t commit to this.”
Most of the times we are actually busy doing something for ourself and if the request for help comes for doing something absolutely out of the way, e.g. if you are committed to staying indoors and the request is for some outdoor chore you can easily opt for this method of saying 'No' without hurting the person making the request.
2. “Can we talk about this later after I finish attending to something I am doing right now."
This way you can actually show that you empathize with the problem of the requester and would attend to it when you have time. Sometimes it is even better if you fix a time instead of saying later. The request gets held off temporarily, gets solved by itself during the cooling period or the requester finds someone else who can attend to his issue on immediate basis.
3. “It is so much up my street but..."
The requester feels that you really wanted to help. You show that you could have helped but due to reasons beyond control you can not.
4. “Give me some time, I’ll get back to you.”
With this 'Maybe' kind of reply the requester is pushed away for a while. This gives you time to think over and decide whether you have the time and inclination to help out.
5. “I’ll surely keep it in mind.”
This is once again not a direct 'No' but it is also not a 'yes'. The requester knows that you are not interested presently but there are chances you may get interested later. This works well with Sales people who will persist with a sale idea. This kind of reply helps you avoid an unneccesary purchase but does not break the relationship which can be used for later purchases.
6. “Have you asked X, I think he/she is the right person for this job?”
Once again you have not said 'No' outright but you have indicated that you do not feel you can contribute much and instead have offered an option that is more suitable. If your suggestion clicks and the person gets the help from the source you have identified for him/her you have earned their loyalty as well.
7. “Sorry but I have to say No.”
As stated in the beginning most people who ask for help are ready for this answer. In most case you may find out that you were just one of the option he/se had in mind when asking for help.
Once we have said 'No' we can devote time and energy to tasks we need to focus on and continue to maintain a harmonious relationship with the person who was asking for help.
Best regards,
Manoj
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Saying No and living with it
Hello,
It has been happening regularly. Yes, I have found that a lot of time and energy is spent on attending to work not related to me in any way. If a colleague asks me for help I go out of the way to help even when I know for sure that the work I am doing is actually disturbing my work schedule.
Sometimes people have asked me to do their work and then have even bossed over me about deadlines. Imagine trying to help someone and then seeing their grumpy face when you delay it a bit. Especially after you have worked hard at the task and ignored your personal work.
This is not only restricted to the work place. It happens with friends, clients and family as well.
So one day I sat down to analyze. What is it that makes me say ‘Yes’ when I want to say ‘No’.
I found that at different occasions there were different reasons for not say ‘No’ but the reasons could all be grouped together in 6 main categories.
1. I actually want to help: When someone comes asking for help I take the request at face value and try to accommodate even when I know that I will be neglecting my work in the process.
2. I am afraid of being rude: Right from childhood I have seen my parents do the same and justify it by saying that being able to help is a gift and saying ‘No’ is being rude. Faces do drop when you say ‘No’ and this disappointment is seen a reaction to the rudeness associated with a ‘No’.
3. I wanting to be part of a group: Several times I have said ‘Yes’ when I wanted to say “No’ just because of the feeling that my ‘No’ may make me an outcast.
4. I fear conflict: I always feel that my saying ‘No’ will not be taken kindly by the recipient and might lead to a confrontation immediately or create an enemy for the future.
5. I fear that I will lose opportunities: When my boss asks me to do some personal work at the expense of my official work I want to say ‘No’ but end up saying ‘Yes’ because I fear that saying ‘No’ may affect my career.
6. I fear burning bridges: I feel that some people may take my saying ‘No’ as a sign of rejection. It might lead to bridges being burned and relationships severed.
And then I followed the masters. The people who were able to say 'No'.
The results in my next post.
Till then,
Manoj
It has been happening regularly. Yes, I have found that a lot of time and energy is spent on attending to work not related to me in any way. If a colleague asks me for help I go out of the way to help even when I know for sure that the work I am doing is actually disturbing my work schedule.
Sometimes people have asked me to do their work and then have even bossed over me about deadlines. Imagine trying to help someone and then seeing their grumpy face when you delay it a bit. Especially after you have worked hard at the task and ignored your personal work.
This is not only restricted to the work place. It happens with friends, clients and family as well.
So one day I sat down to analyze. What is it that makes me say ‘Yes’ when I want to say ‘No’.
I found that at different occasions there were different reasons for not say ‘No’ but the reasons could all be grouped together in 6 main categories.
1. I actually want to help: When someone comes asking for help I take the request at face value and try to accommodate even when I know that I will be neglecting my work in the process.
2. I am afraid of being rude: Right from childhood I have seen my parents do the same and justify it by saying that being able to help is a gift and saying ‘No’ is being rude. Faces do drop when you say ‘No’ and this disappointment is seen a reaction to the rudeness associated with a ‘No’.
3. I wanting to be part of a group: Several times I have said ‘Yes’ when I wanted to say “No’ just because of the feeling that my ‘No’ may make me an outcast.
4. I fear conflict: I always feel that my saying ‘No’ will not be taken kindly by the recipient and might lead to a confrontation immediately or create an enemy for the future.
5. I fear that I will lose opportunities: When my boss asks me to do some personal work at the expense of my official work I want to say ‘No’ but end up saying ‘Yes’ because I fear that saying ‘No’ may affect my career.
6. I fear burning bridges: I feel that some people may take my saying ‘No’ as a sign of rejection. It might lead to bridges being burned and relationships severed.
And then I followed the masters. The people who were able to say 'No'.
The results in my next post.
Till then,
Manoj
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
RAMADAN KAREEM
Praise be to Allaah.
Hello,
We are in the month of Ramadaan.
For the ignorant amongst us a brief on the significance of the holy month of Ramadaan is as under:
Ramadaan is one of the twelve Arabic months. It is a month which is venerated in the Islamic religion, and it is distinguished from the other months by a number of characteristics and virtues, including the following:
1 – Allaah has made fasting this month the fourth pillar of Islam, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasts) that month…”[al-Baqarah 2:185] and it was narrated in al-Saheehayn (al-Bukhaari, 8; Muslim, 16) from the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Islam is built on five (pillars): the testimony that there is no god except Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah; establishing prayer; paying zakaah; fasting Ramadaan; and Hajj to the House (the Ka’bah).”
2 – Allaah revealed the Qur’aan in this month, as He says in the verse quoted above (interpretation of the meaning):
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)…” [al-Baqarah 2:185] And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’aan) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree).”
[al-Qadr 97:1]
3 – Allaah has made Laylat al-Qadr in this month, which is better than a thousand months, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’aan) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree).
And what will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is?
The Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allaah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).
Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] by Allaah’s Permission with all Decrees, (All that night), there is peace (and goodness from Allaah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn” [al-Qadar 97:1-5] “We sent it (this Qur’aan) down on a blessed night [(i.e. the Night of Al-Qadr) in the month of Ramadan — the 9th month of the Islamic calendar]. Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship]” [al-Dukhaan 44:3]
Allaah has blessed Ramadaan with Laylat al-Qadr. Explaining the great status of this blessed night, Soorat al-Qadr was revealed, and there are many ahaadeeth which also speak of that, such as the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There has come to you Ramadaan, a blessed month which Allaah has enjoined you to fast, during which the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained up. In it there is a night which is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.”
Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 2106; Ahmad, 8769. classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 999. And Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever spends Laylat al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous sins.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1910; Muslim, 760.
4 – Allaah has made fasting Ramadaan and spending its nights in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward a means of forgiveness of sins, as was proven in al-Saheehayn (al-Bukhaari, 2014; Muslim, 760) from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah according to which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadaan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” And al-Bukhaari (2008) and Muslim (174) also narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever spends the nights of Ramadaan in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”
The Muslims are unanimously agreed that it is Sunnah to pray qiyaam at night in Ramadaan. Al-Nawawi said that what is meant by praying qiyaam in Ramadaan is to pray Taraweeh, i.e., one achieves what is meant by qiyaam by praying Taraaweeh.
5 – In this month, Allaah opens the gates of Paradise and closes the gates of Hell, and chains up the devils, as is stated in al-Saheehayn (al-Bukhaari, 1898; Muslim, 1079), from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah who said that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When Ramadaan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained up.”
6 – Every night Allaah has people whom He redeems from the Fire. Imam Ahmad (5/256) narrated from the hadeeth of Abu Umaamah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “At every breaking of the fast, Allaah has people whom He redeems.” Al-Mundhiri said: there is nothing wrong with its isnaad; and it was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 987.
Al-Bazzaar (Kashf 962) narrated that Abu Sa’eed said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has people whom He redeems every day and night – i.e., in Ramadaan – and every Muslim every day and night has a prayer that is answered.”
7 – Fasting Ramadaan is a means of expiation for the sins committed since the previous Ramadaan, so long as one avoids major sins. It was proven in Saheeh Muslim (233) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The five daily prayers, from one Jumu’ah to the next and from one Ramadaan to the next are expiation for (sins committed) in between, so long as you avoid major sins.”
8 – Fasting in Ramadaan is equivalent to fasting ten months, as is indicated by the hadeeth in Saheeh Muslim (1164) narrated from Abu Ayyoob al-Ansaari: “Whoever fasts Ramadaan then follows it with six days of Shawwaal, it will be like fasting for a lifetime.” Ahmad (21906) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadaan, a month is like ten months, and fasting six days after al-Fitr will complete the year.”
9 – Whoever prays qiyaam in Ramadaan with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him that he spent the whole night in prayer, because of the report narrated by Abu Dawood (1370) and others from the hadeeth of Abu Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever prays qiyaam with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him that he spent the whole night in prayer.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Salaat al-Taraaweeh, p. 15
10 – ‘Umrah in Ramadaan is equivalent to Hajj. Al-Bukhaari (1782) and Muslim (1256) narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to a woman among the Ansaar, “What kept you from doing Hajj with us?” She said, “We only had two camels that we used for bringing water.” So her husband and son had gone for Hajj on one camel, and he left the other for them to use for bringing water.” He said, “When Ramadaan comes, go for ‘Umrah, for ‘Umrah in Ramadaan is equivalent to Hajj.” According to a report narrated by Muslim, “… is equivalent to doing Hajj with me.”
11 – It is Sunnah to observe i’tikaaf (retreat for the purpose of worship) in Ramadaan, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) always did that, as it was narrated in the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to spend the last ten days of Ramadaan in i’tikaaf until he passed away, then his wives observed i’tikaaf after him.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1922; Muslim, 1172.
12 – It is mustahabb in the sense of being strongly recommended in Ramadaan to study the Qur’aan together and to read it a great deal. You may study the Qur’aan together by reciting it to someone else and by having someone else recite it to you. The evidence that this is mustahabb is the fact that Jibreel used to meet the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) every night in Ramadaan and study the Qur’aan with him. Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6; Muslim, 2308.
Reading Qur’aaan is mustahabb in general, but more so in Ramadaan.
13 – It is mustahabb in Ramadaan to offer iftaar to those who are fasting, because of the hadeeth of Zayd ibn Khaalid al-Juhani (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever gives iftaar to one who is fasting will have a reward like his, without that detracting from the fasting person’s reward in the slightest.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 807; Ibn Maajah, 1746; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 647.
And Allaah knows best.
Monday, March 22, 2010
DEADLY SINS - CHRISTIANITY
Hello,
Continuing with the deadly sins we list the seven deadly sins as per christianity.
Deadly Sin of Pride: Pride (Vanity), is excessive belief in one's abilities, such that you don't give credit to God. Aquinas argued that all other sins stem from Pride, so critiques of the Christian notion of sin generally should start here: "inordinate self-love is the cause of every sin...the root of pride is found to consist in man not being, in some way, subject to God and His rule." Among the problems with Christian teaching against pride is that it encourages people to be submissive to religious authorities in order to submit to God, thus enhancing institutional church power. We can contrast this with Aristotle's description of pride, or respect for oneself, as the greatest of all virtues. Rational pride makes a person harder to rule and dominate.
Deadly Sin of Envy: Envy is a desire to possess what others have, whether material objects (like cars) or character traits, like a positive outlook or patience. Making envy a sin encourages Christians to be satisfied with what they have rather than object to others' unjust power or seek to gain what others have.
Deadly Sin of Gluttony: Gluttony is usually associated with eating too much, but it has a broader connotation of trying to consume more of anything than you actually need, food included. Teaching that gluttony is a sin is a good way to encourage those with very little to not want more and to be content with how little they are able to consume, since more would be sinful.
Deadly Sin of Lust: Lust is the desire to experience physical, sensual pleasures (not just those which are sexual), causing us to ignore more important spiritual needs or commandments. The popularity of this sin is revealed by how more gets written in condemnation of it than for just about any other sin. Condemning lust and physical pleasure is part of Christianity's general effort to promote the afterlife over this life and what it has to offer.
Deadly Sin of Anger: Anger (Wrath) is the sin of rejecting the Love and Patience we should feel for others and opting instead for violent or hateful interaction. Many Christian acts over the centuries (like the Inquisition and Crusades) may seem to have motivated by anger, not love, but were excused by saying the motivation was love of God, or love of a person's soul — so much love that it was necessary to harm others physically. Condemnation of anger as a sin is useful to suppress efforts to correct injustice, especially the injustices of religious authorities.
Deadly Sin of Greed: Greed (Avarice) is a desire for material gain. Similar to Gluttony and Envy, gain rather than consumption or possession is key here. Religious authorities too rarely condemn how the rich possess much while the poor possess little — great wealth has often been justified by claiming that it's what God wants for a person. Condemning greed keeps the poor in their place, though, and prevents them from wanting to have more.
Deadly Sin of Sloth: Sloth is the most misunderstood of the Seven Deadly Sins. Often regarded as laziness, it is more accurately translated as apathy: when a person is apathetic, they no longer care about their duty to God and ignore their spiritual well-being. Condemning sloth is a way to keep people active in the church in case they start to realize how useless religion and theism really are.
Best regards,
Manoj
Continuing with the deadly sins we list the seven deadly sins as per christianity.
Deadly Sin of Pride: Pride (Vanity), is excessive belief in one's abilities, such that you don't give credit to God. Aquinas argued that all other sins stem from Pride, so critiques of the Christian notion of sin generally should start here: "inordinate self-love is the cause of every sin...the root of pride is found to consist in man not being, in some way, subject to God and His rule." Among the problems with Christian teaching against pride is that it encourages people to be submissive to religious authorities in order to submit to God, thus enhancing institutional church power. We can contrast this with Aristotle's description of pride, or respect for oneself, as the greatest of all virtues. Rational pride makes a person harder to rule and dominate.
Deadly Sin of Envy: Envy is a desire to possess what others have, whether material objects (like cars) or character traits, like a positive outlook or patience. Making envy a sin encourages Christians to be satisfied with what they have rather than object to others' unjust power or seek to gain what others have.
Deadly Sin of Gluttony: Gluttony is usually associated with eating too much, but it has a broader connotation of trying to consume more of anything than you actually need, food included. Teaching that gluttony is a sin is a good way to encourage those with very little to not want more and to be content with how little they are able to consume, since more would be sinful.
Deadly Sin of Lust: Lust is the desire to experience physical, sensual pleasures (not just those which are sexual), causing us to ignore more important spiritual needs or commandments. The popularity of this sin is revealed by how more gets written in condemnation of it than for just about any other sin. Condemning lust and physical pleasure is part of Christianity's general effort to promote the afterlife over this life and what it has to offer.
Deadly Sin of Anger: Anger (Wrath) is the sin of rejecting the Love and Patience we should feel for others and opting instead for violent or hateful interaction. Many Christian acts over the centuries (like the Inquisition and Crusades) may seem to have motivated by anger, not love, but were excused by saying the motivation was love of God, or love of a person's soul — so much love that it was necessary to harm others physically. Condemnation of anger as a sin is useful to suppress efforts to correct injustice, especially the injustices of religious authorities.
Deadly Sin of Greed: Greed (Avarice) is a desire for material gain. Similar to Gluttony and Envy, gain rather than consumption or possession is key here. Religious authorities too rarely condemn how the rich possess much while the poor possess little — great wealth has often been justified by claiming that it's what God wants for a person. Condemning greed keeps the poor in their place, though, and prevents them from wanting to have more.
Deadly Sin of Sloth: Sloth is the most misunderstood of the Seven Deadly Sins. Often regarded as laziness, it is more accurately translated as apathy: when a person is apathetic, they no longer care about their duty to God and ignore their spiritual well-being. Condemning sloth is a way to keep people active in the church in case they start to realize how useless religion and theism really are.
Best regards,
Manoj
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