Eighth Deadly Sin: Entitlement

Entitlement (noun): 1. The fact of having a right to something. 2. The amount to which a person has a right. 3. The belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment. – Google

This is a tricky Sin.  Entitlement can often be misconstrued by people suffering from the Ninth Deadly Sin: Prejudice (aka Bigotry or Narrow Mindedness).  People who have been fortunate enough, I guess, to never have to walk in other people’s shoes.  Who believe their views and opinions are above reproach, because if they can do, then so can everyone else.  Yeah, those people.  Now, back to the 8th Sin:

Entitlement is not the wounded Veteran who has no job, no help, limited medical after putting their life on the line for your freedom. It’s not the single mom or dad or even family getting help from the State Welfare programs to keep their children fed and in decent clothes, because their life has hit a rough patch, the housing fell out from under them or whatever the case may be.  It is not the people who genuinely need a helping hand.

Entitlement has no preferred social status, religion, political party, race or gender – it is, like all Sins, completely unbiased and unprejudiced.

A person inflicted with the Eighth Deadly Sin sincerely believes that they are entitled to everything everyone else has, simply because they suck in air, because they exist, because they have granted this world the privilege of their presence.  They should never have to work for what they want, it should just be given to them.  They are always allowed to borrow from others, but they don’t return favors.  They can’t pay you back and will never have whatever it is you need to borrow.  Entitled people will also take what they feel they deserve.  They’ll steal it, justified in their actions, because they will always need it more than you.  Their situation will always be more important or dire than yours.

Entitlement also grants their chosen victims with the brilliance of a con-artist.  This ensures that the Sin can remain intact and never have to leave the person.  They will never learn another way, they are impervious to Tough Love, Rock Bottom and Rehab, because by some Supernatural force, they always manage to get what they want.  Even in their lowest or lowest, neediest or needs, where all hope seems lost – they will find a way.  Entitled people are resourceful, opportunistic and conniving.  Their brains are always scheming, because Entitlement is the love child between Avarice & Gluttony, and therefore they are never satisfied.

The symbol for Entitlement is a demon with three faces and six arms. Three hands are feeding the three faces, while one hand steals, another borrows and the last is open and waiting to be filled, fingers partially curled in the “gimme” gesture.