BBC reports:

Women are prouder than men, but men are more lustful, according to a Vatican report which states that the two sexes sin differently.

A Catholic survey found that the most common sin for women was pride, while for men, the urge for food was only surpassed by the urge for sex.

The report was based on a study of confessions carried out by Fr Roberto Busa, a 95-year-old Jesuit scholar.

The picture on this posts shows the “top sins” according to each sex.  Some more are listed in the cited article.

Allow me to share two different thoughts from this account.  First, it is not surprising that the two sexes struggle with different sins.  Although there are always exceptions, there is a reason why lite beer commercials include scantily clad women.  Second, although the sins of each sex have different fruit, the root is the same — idolatry.  Every manifestation of sin, regardless if it is pride or lust, exalts something above loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength (Matthew 22:34-38; cf. Deutoronmy 6:5), and loving your neighbor has yourself (Matthew 22:39-40).  In light of this reality, the playing field is absolutley level for all of us regardless of our sex.

Muslims praying at Badshahi mosque.

One of the headlines in the news today documented how Muslims now outnumber Catholics worldwide.  The Vatican newspaper reported that Catholics accounted for 17.4% of the world populations, while Muslims accounted for 19.2%.   However, Christianity in the most general sense is still the largest with 33%.  According to Monsignor Vittorio Formenti, one of the reasons is that Muslims have bigger families than Catholics.  Interesting take on the matter. 

Perhaps another explanation could be the decline of evangelism in the Catholic church, or maybe even the sex scandals that are rocking Catholicism.  I’m sure there are various factors contributing to Catholicism decline.  One thing is for sure, this news brings a sense of urgency for Christians who believe that Jesus is the world’s only hope for reconciliation with God.  May this news break our hearts for the lost and give us a passion to reach them with the message of God’s grace!

(picture above from ABC news article)