It's a sin....apparently

Whilst not wanting to annoy or upset anybody who is a devout believer of their respective religious faith, but I was somewhat perturbed by the Roman Catholic church's updating of its list of mortal sins yesterday, which now include 21st century issues such as pollution and genetic experimentation.

Whilst not technically governed by their rules, not being a "club" member, I was always reasonably comfortable with the concept of traditional mortal sins - that is, those which break the Ten Commandments and include murder and adultery.

It seems "reasonable" to me that committing such sins warrants the need for "club" members to confess such gross misdemeanours to a priest and if not absolved or forgiven, will lead (this may be a little on the harsh side) to a person's soul being condemned to hell.

The situation is no longer quite so clear as mortal sins will now include: -

• genetic experimentation,
• tampering with the order of nature,
• pollution,
• social injustice,
• causing poverty,
• excessive wealth, and drug abuse

Now - albeit not for the first time - I am a little confused.

I had thought that the Catholic Church was against contraception (their own version of a non-proliferation treaty perhaps?), and yet they now add to the list of mortal sins, a whole heap of "stuff" that is child-related, and therefore exacerbated by their previous stance.

Having kids is in fact a form of genetic experimentation, and despite my best efforts (I really was trying!) our children have some of my traits - although thankfully for them, not too many!

Also, there is a cycle which lasts for many, many years which goes something like this: -

Drugs - during birth, Ethonox - after birth, Kalpol - poverty - years of room tidying up the pollution caused by "the little ones", in the face of toddler/child/student protestations of "...tampering with the order of nature" - drugs (prescribed obviously, but usually Valium or some other anti-depressant!) - post liberation feelings of excessive wealth, only to be quickly replaced by the realisation that all things - like one's children - are relative!

So it will be that in future Roman Catholics men will have to confess to their priest, something along the lines of "Forgive me father for I have sinned...I am a Father".

The priest on the other hand should not be a father as he should have sworn an oath of celibacy!

Confusing isn't it?

Love is all around us....

How wonderful it is that for one day in the year, the evil spectre of commercialism is hidden behind the tide of warmth and love that is St.Valentine's Day!.

Or, because I like to see life from both sides of the fence - Valentine's Day is second only to Christmas for naked consumerism and is worth around£2.3 billion to the retail sector.

For some men, Christmas is easier than St Cupid's day when it comes to present buying. At least at Christmas it is generally accepted, nay almost traditional, that to buy one's loved one's present at the local garage just before it closes on Christmas Eve, does not imply any more lack of thought than men usually manage to exhibit for the rest of the year!

In fact, I considered that my offering last year of a bag of charcoal, two bags of Haribo, a tree shaped air freshener for her car (shaped like a Xmas tree as well!) and a £2.99 bunch of flowers, to have been almost inspirational.

A special thanks to Texaco for that.

However, not everyone agreed!

But on Valentine's Day, there is the added issue of guilt. Very large bunches of roses would only be met with significant suspicion. One would surely receive the "...what have you done wrong that you need to buy me a large bunch of flowers to make up for?" look.

...or the "Are you trying to make me fat?" retort when you buy her a big box of chocolates.

...or the "Don't you like my ankle length winciette brown nightie then...?" when you buy her that short red satin number.

It is true that I don't actually KNOW that my own nearest and dearest would react in this way - as I've never given her the chance.

I don't like commercialism. Well unless someone wants to buy something for me.

Who says romance is dead?