Pleasure Gets a Bad Rap

Summary

The article discusses the societal and religious perception of pleasure, often viewed negatively as sinful, and argues that pleasure itself is not inherently bad, but rather its excesses.

Abstract

The article "Pleasure Gets a Bad Rap" delves into the dichotomy between pleasure and sinfulness, highlighting how pleasure is frequently equated with sin, particularly in religious contexts like the Bible and the teachings of Pope Gregory I. It explores the seven deadly sins, emphasizing that these vices stem from a lack of control and an excess of natural desires. The text suggests that while these sins are associated with pleasurable activities, not all pleasure is sinful. It posits that enjoying accomplishments, good food, wealth, and rest is acceptable in moderation. The article also references Mahatma Gandhi's perspective on sin, which includes social and political dimensions beyond personal excess. Ultimately, it concludes that pleasure, when experienced responsibly and without harm to others, is not sinful and is an essential part of a fulfilling life.

Opinions

Pleasure is often unfairly associated with sinfulness due to a focus on excess rather than moderation.
The seven deadly sins (pride, envy, lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, and wrath) are rooted in a lack of self-control and are not about the pleasures themselves but about their immoderate indulgence.
Enjoying life's pleasures, such as food, sex, financial success, and rest, is not inherently sinful; the key is to avoid excess and maintain conscience.
Mahatma Gandhi's view on sins extends beyond personal behavior to include social and political responsibilities, such as earning wealth, enjoying pleasure with conscience, and ensuring science benefits humanity.
Pleasure in the right measure, without causing harm to others, is a positive aspect of life and should not be equated with sin.

Pleasure Gets a Bad Rap

What’s so bad about enjoying oneself?

No one calls fun, happiness, joy, glee, or delight sinful, but pleasure gets a bad rap and is often associated with sinfulness. In the Bible, pleasure is associated with excess or perverseness.

According to an article on Christian.net, “The seven deadly sins are considered to be the roots of all other sins…” The article explains that, “Pope Gregory I, first enumerated the seven deadly sins in the late sixth century. It is an influence from Evagrius Ponticus’ list of eight evil thoughts or spirits man should overcome. The list created by Pope Gregory I became the standard list of sins.” These sins are also associated with a lack of control, the inability to stifle one’s desires.

The seven sins are pride, envy, lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, and wrath. Pride is thinking too much of oneself. Envy is wanting what belongs to others. Lust is excessive desire. Gluttony is the excessive consumption of food even to the denial of food for others, greed is wanting more than one’s fair share and never being satisfied with what one has, sloth is the excess of laziness and inactivity, and wrath is excessive anger. There is pleasure in excess. It means being greedy and eating the whole pie and not sharing it with others and enjoying it. It means materialism and always needing more. It means resting while others work.

Tony Robinson, in the Jamaica Observer says, “Name your pleasure, what gives you the most pleasure? Whatever it is, you can bet that it’s a sin. And yet, we are driven to it as a moth is to a flame. And you know what happens to that insect if it gets too close to that flame — poof! It’s instantly consumed by the very thing that it desired.” Once again sin and pleasure are equated. Also, importantly, there is the connection with the lack of self-control.

But why are some of the things that bring the most pleasure in life associated with sin? It appears to be because of the lack of control. Isn’t it okay for us to feel pride in our accomplishments? Should we not eat delicious food when our bodies have taste buds that allow us to enjoy food? The desire for more money or goods than we have now can motivate us to work hard and get more.

The equating of sin and pleasure leads to the idea that we should deny ourselves pleasure. Many religions contain teachings about denying ourselves or at least someone who has dedicated themselves to the religion to deny themselves any worldly comforts. Is that what was really intended? That all pleasure is bad and sinful? Or is the point that excess is bad?

In the right context, the enjoyment of eating, the pleasure of sex, the desire for more money, the enjoyment of getting enough rest, etc. are not sinful. The key is about excess, not the pleasure that comes from having enough. We should be able to experience pleasure, but not to excess or without conscience.

There are other views of what constitutes sins associated with pleasure. Mahatma Ghandi listed seven deadly sins: Wealth without work, Pleasure without conscience, Science without humanity, Knowledge without character, Politics without principle, Commerce without morality, Worship without sacrifice.”

Ghandi’s list adds another layer to the meaning of sin and excess in his list. The sins in Ghandi’s list are not only personal, but also social and political. According to Ghandi, wealth must be earned, seeking one’s pleasure at the expense of other is wrong, science that ignores humanity is dangerous, and so on.

There is much to be said for experiencing pleasure. What would our lives be like absent of all pleasure? Pleasure is good in the right measure and without harming others. Pleasure is not a sin in itself; it is only in excess that it causes harm.

There are many pleasures in life that we can indulge in without excess and without sinning. We should enjoy the pleasures life brings.