A lively conversation on cynicism
Laura DeMaria
On Thursday I was on Morning Air to talk about this topic I’ve had in mind, as to whether cynicism is a sin. As discussed, it’s not a sin in the traditional sense, but it is a “spiritual danger” that leads you into things that could be sins, or at the very least, negative attitudes - acedia (spiritual laziness), arrogance, faithlessness, and most of all, hopelessness. You can listen to the conversation here.
As for me, it is a reminder to keep the guardrails up: don’t let cynicism creep in, and certainly don’t accept it as a natural condition. I don’t think it is a natural condition, really. It is incumbent upon us to cultivate hope and love, really, every day. Is it a tall order some days? Yes. But in doing so you overcome yourself, greater sin, and therefore, greater unhappiness. You also open yourself up to the workings of the Holy Spirit. It is work worth doing!