Now it's obvious that those on the American right are hypocritical and that they don't really follow the teachings of their own religion. But just how far does the problem go? It's deadly.
And by deadly, I'm talking about the seven deadly sins -- all of which are regularly violated by the religious right in the U.S. Let's take a look (definitions via Wikipedia):
Lust: Unlawful sexual desire, such as desiring sex with a person outside marriage.
This one is a no-brainer. The list of adulterers on the right is seemingly endless.
Gluttony: Wasting of food, either through overindulgence in food, drink or intoxicants, misplaced desire for food for its sensuality, or withholding food from the needy
Again, the number of overweight people on the far right is endless. Rush Limbaugh, Newt Gingrich, Henry Hyde, Bill Bennett, Jeb Bush, Jerry Falwell, Trent Lott, etc. I have nothing against overweight people (I happen to be one, although not like these guys), but if you claim to believe in a religion that is opposed to gluttony, you can't be a glutton.
Greed: A desire to possess more than one has need or use for
The whole right-wing philosophy in America seems to be based on greed. Pro-corporation, pro-tax cuts for the rich, pro-anything is okay if it makes a profit.
Sloth: Laziness; idleness and wastefulness of time allotted
This one is true pretty much all around, but in particular, think about the intellectual laziness of the right. They parrot what they are told with little questioning, they refuse to even examine anything that is different from their already pre-conceived notions, they refuse to read or watch anything that doesn't provide them with pre-approved propaganda and they refuse to think for themselves.
Wrath: Inappropriate (unrighteous) feelings of hatred, revenge or even denial, as well as punitive desires outside of justice
The hatred and anger they feel about perceived slights is unfathomable. Talk to a right winger about gays. Or affirmative action. Or France. Or liberals. Or poor people. Or welfare. Or Bill and Hillary. Or about the "war on Christmas." Hell, one of these people said that Howard Dean should be killed for treason this week. How inappropriate is that?
Envy: Resentment of others for their possessions
Tying in with the greed, these people seem to want everything that everyone else has. Particularly when it comes to more abstract things. They want our freedom. They want our righteousness. They want our women. They want our private information. They want our right to marry. They want our right to choose. They want our right to speak freely. They want our right to buy the books and CDs we want. They want our religious freedom. They want everything and control of everything. And when the don't get it, out comes the wrath.
Pride: A desire to be important or attractive to others or excessive love of self
There is probably not a group on the planet with more misplaced pride. They have excessive pride in their country and they're willing to punish you for not thinking of it the way they do. They have pride in their failed president and corrupt Congress. They have pride in their interpretation of their religion. They have pride in the stupid, racist, sexist, xenophobic, homophobic, ignorant traditions established by their sinful, lustful, gluttonous, greedy, slothful, wrathful, envious, prideful predecessors. They have pride in their own misguided judgment and beliefs.
Keep in mind that these aren't just sins, these are the deadly sins. Kevin Spacey would have a field day with these people. And there may be no group of people in the world who violate this whole list more frequently and with more gusto than the right wing in America.