In Defence of Marxism

Traditionally the seven deadly sins, according to Catholic doctrine were: Pride, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Anger, Greed and Sloth. The Vatican hierarchy has decided to modernise its list of terrible sins. They have added seven modern mortal sins, Environmental pollution, Genetic manipulation, Accumulating excessive wealth, Inflicting poverty, Drug trafficking and consumption, Morally debatable experiments, and Violation of fundamental rights of human nature. It sees this as part of "unstoppable globalisation".

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that, "immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into Hell." And there is no return ticket from Hell; it's a one-way trip!

Any ordinary worker or youth would indeed consider that most of these seven modern mortal sins are veritable abominations. Although under "genetic manipulation" and "morally debatable experiments" these pious Cardinals and Bishops would include research which could one day lead to the elimination of diseases that kill countless numbers of people every year. They would also include abortion!

The others such as "environmental pollution" and "accumulating excessive wealth", are committed by the small minority of the population that controls the state and the economy, the capitalists and bankers. Among these are many friends of the Catholic hierarchy, people like Tony Blair and Silvio Berlusconi. So are they all going to go to hell?

Well, there is a way out! You can confess your sins and all is absolved. If you are a Catholic you are supposed to confess your sins to a priest at least once a year. By doing so you get absolved in the name of God. The important thing is that as the capitalists exploit millions of people around the world, condemn many to hunger and starvation, they should at least repent once year... and then go about their regular business again.

Could this explain why Tony Blair saw the light and became a Catholic? Thus he can simply repent about all the people that have been killed in the war on Iraq. The Pope also takes no risks: he confesses his sins regularly once a week. We wouldn't want to leave it for a year and be caught out and die with a stained soul!

What is worrying the Catholic hierarchy in such a supposedly devout Catholic country like Italy, is that 60% of the population has stopped going to confession altogether. Could this be explained by the fact that the overwhelming majority of Italians - like all peoples - is made up of wage earners who exploit no one, who are not responsible for pollution, do not have excessive wealth (on the contrary), and have poverty inflicted on them?