Sunday, July 17, 2011

The Definition of Anger

For those who are not acquainted with the Catholic Encyclopedia's definition of Anger, here it is:

The desire of vengeance. Its ethical rating depends upon the quality of the vengeance and the quantity of the passion. When these are in conformity with the prescriptions of balanced reason, anger is not a sin. It is rather a praiseworthy thing and justifiable with a proper zeal. It becomes sinful when it is sought to wreak vengeance upon one who has not deserved it, or to a greater extent than it has been deserved, or in conflict with the dispositions of law, or from an improper motive. The sin is then in a general sense mortal as being opposed to justice and charity. It may, however, be venial because the punishment aimed at is but a trifling one or because of lack of full deliberation. Likewise, anger is sinful when there is an undue vehemence in the passion itself, whether inwardly or outwardly. Ordinarily it is then accounted a venial sin unless the excess be so great as to go counter seriously to the love of God or of one's neighbour.

There are quite a few folks who think that "anger" over Teh Won's destruction of the country is sinful in se.

They are wrong.

It would be sinful if it were irrational, or if it led to vengeance. Christ was angered by the Pharisees, but He did not seek vengeance; rather, He forgave His enemies.

But forgiving enemies of the country is one thing; allowing the wreckage to continue is another thing entirely.

10 comments:

Jim said...

"Teh Won's destruction of the country"

Aren't you angry over "Teh 43's" destruction of the country?

Anonymous said...

43 WAS DESTRUCTIVE PRESIDENT, BUT OBAMA IS FAR WORSE.

Anonymous said...

Dad,
I think Fr. Barron has a good Idea what attracts folks like like Jim and others to blogs with a religious perspective, please see his video and comment.


http://www.wordonfire.org/WOF-TV/Commentaries-New/Fr--Barron-comments-on-why-so-many-atheists-are-on.aspx

Dad29 said...

Since I don't screen for 'religious affiliation,' I'm not prepared to make a definitive response.

But clearly, many of the combox-folks ARE inclined to atheism, or at the very least, practical atheism.

Display Name said...

I think it was Thich Nhat Hanh who said "Buy more ammos!"

Anonymous said...

Just because some commenters here challenge your thoughts does not mean they lack faith, are not religious, are "false' believers, are atheists, etc.

Of course I'm not prepared to make a definitive response. But clearly, your comment at 10:55 a.m., is an inclination that you think you are a "better" or "truer" Christian than Jim if he was a believer in Christ.

Dad29 said...

You can prove that, of course.

Anonymous said...

“Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted”

Matthew 23:12

Anonymous said...

Authoritarians are most dangerous when they hide behind false religious cloaks.

Display Name said...

You forgot the guns and the gun threats, Anony.