Seven Sins.

OK, Options, I think.
I'll give you info in a second...

**-RULES-**
1, Any style of poetry allowed, DP, erotica (but prefer suggestion to blatancy) , darkishness, metaphor, acrostic, whatever.
2, No prewrites. Don't even ask. No point. The idea is for inspiration people...
3, State the option and number in your author notes please. We'll DQ!! Keep it in mind.
4, Check out and comment on the competition...it's kinda nice, you know?
5, Any questions, just ask. I don't bite! (Often...)
6, Any title you desire....just follow an option, or we'll cry.
7, If you're gonna write an epic, make it interesting. If you're gonna write three words, make them count.

**-OPTIONS-**
1, Choose a sin (of yours!). Write about it.
2, Write about all the sins and their relation to you.
3, A sin someone has committed against you?
4, Personification! If YOU were a sin, which one would you be and why?
5, Write about the opposite. Seven Virtues. Info below...
6, Personification! If YOU were a virtue, which one would you be and why?
7, Write about keeping the balance between Sins and Virtues...

We don't want
'I'm pride because I look in mirrors, we want what drives you, how it makes you feel, and do you think you'll go to hell through it?? Do you think using the virtues will save you? (All ideas...not obligations.)

**-INFORMATION-**
(I'll place the sin first, and the corresponding virtue afterwards.)

1, Lust.
Obsessive or excessive thoughts or desires of a sexual nature. Giving in can apparently lead to compulsions and is thought of as (but not only) sexual addiction, adultery, bestiality, rape, and incest. Used to be 'Excessive love for others' The idea behind this is that you love someone else more than God. In purgatory, You would walk through fire to rid yourself of sexual thoughts or feelings.

Chastity.
Depending in the culture, it could be the 'no sex before marriage' rule, no courtship in others, the idea of using sex only for procreation.

2, Gluttony.
Over consumption to the point of waste...(Bulimia could go here. Or something.) The idea is that you eating/using too much is withholding from those who need it.

Temperance.
The idea of taking things in moderation- not just food, but vanity and so on. Several religions adopt this outlook, one of the 5 precepts of Buddhism, for example.

3, Greed. (Avarice)
Another sin of excess, but mainly applied to wealth or money. Caring more for material things then the idea of eternal happiness. (I would be dead by now!! All these sins I've committed!) People used to be bound to the ground for having 'earthly' thoughts. Yeah, eat dirt!
Avarice also includes things like disloyalty, deliberate betrayal, or treason, bribery, theft, scavenging and hoarding of material objects. (Yes, damn those squirrels and magpies!)

Charity.
Actually means a loving-kindness to all others, not just random giving. (Which happens these days because we feel we have to, either by being banjoed in the street by random people with clipboards, or Oxfam adverts on TV showing us pictures of starving people whose government will not allow aid anyway.)
Most extreme version of this would be Altruism, see Mother Theresa.

4, Sloth.
I expect like, everyone to enter for this one! This used to be the sin of sadness- apathy, depression or joylessness. Seen as a refusal to enjoy all things good that God created. It now means the inability to use one's talents, like someone who only works to get a C grade, even though they may be capable of more. General laziness is now included in this sin. In purgatory, you would be made to run continuously at top speed!

Diligence.
The idea of concentrating to realize one's full potential, showing initiative, using time wisely.

5, Wrath.
Uncontrolled feelings of hatred and anger, could be manifested as denial of the truth, or seeking of revenge and generally seeking to do harm. Yes, murder is a sin. Originally this included anger directed internally. (For this contest, we'll allow that. You guys in this situation always have very interesting things to say.
Suicide was deemed as the ultimate, albeit tragic, expression of wrath directed inwardly, a final rejection of God's gifts.

Patience.
Being Steadfast. Facing trails and tribulations of varying strengths without 'losing it'.

6, Envy.
Different from greed in that greed is about materialism, envy is more about personal charactistics. You wish you were as '__' as that person, and then wish they were not so '__' so you would look/feel/be better.
In purgatory, you would have your eyes sewn shut with wire, because of the sinful pleasure gained from seeing others bought down.

Kindness.
Just being nice. You can do that, right??
A study was held in 37 different cultures. (That's one amazing translator!) The study involved 16000 people being asked what trait they'd like in an ideal partner. 1st came kindness, second came intelligence.

7, Pride.
Apparently the most serious sin. (Strangely enough....!)
A desire to be more attractive/important than others, failing to give compliments to others, excessive love of self...Best way to explain, long story short- The 'Devil' thought he was better then God, thus resulting in his fall from Heaven. In purgatory, you would walk with stone slabs on your back to give you feelings of humility.

Humility. (Surprised?)
Being unpretentious, humble, and honest.

**-FINALLY-**
Sorry about the epic write, you sexy beasts....
You enjoy writing...we'll enjoy reading!