Angels vs Demons
The first time I recall seeing a list of virtues and vices was in my grandmothers Catholic bible. It was a huge book, hard covered, white with beautiful details and pictures, the complete opposite of the book I was given by my parents who were Baptists, a small, black book made of paper and filled with text. I remember well the pictures of the angels casting the demons out of heaven and the list of virtues, side-by-side with the list of vices. It was probably the most beautiful book I have ever seen and it, along with my grandmother who died when I was still very young, are forever etched into my memory.
I have gathered lists of virtues and vices from the major religions, this list should be used to improve oneself but not only that, to view others for what they really are. I have noticed that many of our so-called leaders are not people that live their lives based on the virtues, their words and their actions resemble that of Demons. Pay close attention to the words and actions of these people, compare them to the virtues and vices, and decide for yourself what they are.
The religions are listed in alphabetical order, not any order of preference. Believe whatever you like, I myself am a Pantheist (the universe is God, and we are one with it), just be mindful of others beliefs and don't try to force your ideas on others (which is Demonic). I have not been able to find a good list for the Hindu religion, so this work is still a work in progress.
Angels
This shouldn't even require a list in my opinion, but others may not have learned empathy as I have, so here it is, the list of virtues, from all of the major religions in the world. If you're not sure, then go by this: Do whatever you like, as long as it doesn't cause any physical or mental harm to others, you may remember it as the Golden Rule.
Buddhism:
Body Protect Life, Give Generously, Maintain One’s Discipline
Speech Speak Honestly, Reconcile, Speak Pleasantly, Speak Meaningfully
Mind Generosity, Loving Kindness, Correct View of Reality
Christianity:
Acceptance
Assertiveness
Authenticity
Beauty
Caring
Cleanliness
Commitment
Compassion
Confidence
Consideration
Contentment
Cooperation
Courage
Creativity
Detachment
Determination
Dignity
Encouragement
Enthusiasm
Ethical
Excellence
Fairness
Faith
Flexibility
Forgiveness
Friendliness
Generosity
Gentleness
Graciousness
Gratitude
Harmonious
Helpfulness
Honesty
Honor
Hope
Humility
Idealism
Integrity
Imaginative
Joyfulness
Justice
Kindness
Love
Loyalty
Moderation
Modesty
Optimistic
Orderliness
Passionate
Patience
Peace
Perseverance
Preparedness
Purposefulness
Reliability
Respect
Responsibility
Reverence
Self-discipline
Service
Sincerity
Tact
Temperate
Tenacious
Thankfulness
Tolerance
Trust
Truthfulness
Understanding
Unity
Visionary
Wisdom
Wonder
Hinduism:
Islam:
Justice
Charity
Contentment
Courtesy
Courage
Dignity
Forgiveness
Tolerance
Kindness and leniency
Kind treatment to animals
Chastity and modesty
Humility
Patience and anger management
Respect for elders
Decent speech
Honesty
Trustworthiness
Sincerity
Unity
Wisdom
Demons
When I say Demons, I don't mean creatures with oily black or red scaly skin with horns protruding from their skulls. A Demon is the result of its actions (spoken or written words too are actions!). Look for these vices in yourself and others. Typically you would find these listed in religious texts but in the past century, have been removed or altered by the wealthy that control what is printed in them for obvious reasons. It is never too late to change yourself, look to the virtues to make yourself a better person, but don't expect those at the top of the political and economic hierarchies to change. If you don't see most, if not all of these vices in your political and economic leaders, then you may be a cultist.
Buddhism:
Body Killing, Stealing, Sexual Misconduct
Speech Lying, Divisive Speech, Harsh Speech, Pointless Gossip
Mind Greed/Covetousness, Harmful Intent, Wrong View (denial of cause and effect)
Christianity:
Alcoholism
Arrogance
Avarice
Bigotry
Callousness
Contempt
Cruelty
Cynicism
Deceit
Despair
Dishonesty
Disloyalty
Distrust
Drug use
Egotism
Envy
Fanaticism
Gambling
Gluttony
Gossip
Greed
Hypocrisy
Ignorance
Impatience
Indulgence
Ingratitude
Insensitivity
Irresponsibility
Jealousy
Lust
Malice
Manipulation
Murder
Narcissism
Negligence
Obsession
Overconfidence
Pessimism
Prejudice
Pride
Procrastination
Prostitution
Rape
Recklessness
Rudeness
Selfishness
Sloth
Spite
Stubbornness
Superficiality
Unfaithfulness
Vanity
Vindictiveness
War (fighting in, supporting, promoting, including proxy wars)
Waste
Wrath
Xenophobia
Hinduism:
Islam:
1. Stupidity is deficiency of wisdom; that is, not using the power of the intellect to understand the nature of things.
2. Slyness is the excessive use of the intellect; that is, using the power of the intellect in matters for which it is inappropriate, or using it too much in matters for which it is appropriate.
3. Cowardice is deficiency of courage; that is, fear and irresolution in cases where there is no cause for them.
4. Foolhardiness is the excess of courage; that is, reckless action in cases where it is inappropriate.
5. Lethargy is the deficient state for which the point of moderation is chastity; that is, failure to use things which the body needs.
6. Rapaciousness is the other extreme in opposition to lethargy; that is, excess in sexual activity, eating and drinking, and other sensual pleasures.
7. Submissiveness is the deficient state for which the point of moderation is justice; that is, accepting oppression and tyranny.
8. Tyranny is the other extreme in opposition to submissiveness; that is, oppressing either one's own self or others.
"Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10
The above does not mean wait until you die and go to Heaven before behaving like an Angel, no God wants someone that lives like a Demon their entire life and then gets saved right before dying. Sorry, not happening. What this statement truly means is that we are to create Heaven here on Earth, and behave like Angels, and that is how you get to the kingdom of Heaven. Anyone saying otherwise is a Demon and manipulating you. This is our Heaven or our Hell, and we make it one or the other with our actions and our words, for ourselves and for others.
