Anger

I love the History Channel. There's far too much "worthless" knowledge in my head since I've been watching almost nothing but the History Channel while I've been sick.

Lately they've been running a series called "The Seven Deadly Sins" tracking the history of where the concept for each came from (they aren't listed like that in the Bible, you know) and how they were/are interpreted. Last night they showed "Anger" calling it the "deadliest" because it can lead to the others, to violence and to murder. Anyone who has anger management problems or even who doesn't take anger seriously would probably do well to watch this show. It expresses in an interesting and truthful way a perspective on anger, what it can do, when it's okay... I know what you're thinking (some of you anyway). "But, Corrine, that was the History Channel. They're secular and probably didn't show the real church teachings about anger." I'd have to say, "Wanna' bet?" There was an especially moving piece right at the end (an appropriate and surprising way to end the program). They interviewed an atheist man who had had anger problems all his life and refused to acknowledge them. He terrorized his family by yelling and throwing things. One day he ended up in the hospital where he had a near death experience. He was brought into hell where he was beaten savagely by a mob of people filled with rage and hate. He was fighting for his life. In the midst of the horror (a word which he says doesn't describe the experience) he started to pray for the first time in his life. At that moment a light appeared, drove away the mob and led him back to his hospital room where he saw his own body before "waking up." Since the experience he no longer has uncontrollable anger and rages and has become an strongly committed and active Christian going around to different churches and sharing his story. For the History Channel to end on such a religiously powerful note is a commendation to them for telling the whole story and not just dismissing the church's role in the development of human conscience.

I recommend people watch this series. It's been an eye opener.