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4. Bullying
Bullying is a horrible vice of humanity, and for that matter all discriminatory behaviour. It dehumanises people, creates unnecessary stress and tension and makes our brightest children whimpering wrecks. It is simply a result of a need for power over something. I can't really think of a solution for bullying at schools, except for discipline. 

5. Procrastination
This vice doesn't so much create problems as it doesn't do anything at all. It means that people like me sit around, not really doing anything all the time. It is one of the few personal flaws that I will admit to having - I procrastinate all the time. It isn't even really that bad. But I find myself doing things when I should be doing other things. For instance, right now I'm creating this post rather than doing the dishes like I said I would. It can be overcome, but it takes a great deal of mental strength. So I'll be back in a minute to write the next vice :P

6. Stubborness
Nothing is worse than the inability to see reason. To be able to admit that you are wrong is a prime virtue and will endear you to anyone with a bloody brain and can appreciate the humility. If someone is having a debate (arguing) with you, and they know for a fact that you are wrong, it is very annoying to be unable to convince you that they are correct.

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This blog will be about all of the weakness and vice that I see among our species.

Bear in mind that this is from the perspective of a high school student, so it won't cover everything :P

1. Religion

In my opinion, this is the biggest vice which grips mankind today. Not only is it a relic of a by-gone age, but it encourages many other deplorable activities such as war, discrimination and abuse. Examples - Operation Enduring Freedom (and its origin, the September 11th terrorist attacks), the Lars Vilks Muhammad drawings controversy, the degradation of Muslim women having to wear the burka, the abuse of children by Jewish priests (circumcision) and many others. I know that some of these examples are by choice, but that very choice reflects a blinkered and restrictive mindset.

Religion promotes ignorance and encourages blind faith. Religion prosecutes science and technology, decrying advances in medicine and genetics 'works of the devil' or 'blasphemous' or 'heresy'.

We as a species, as a civilisation, cannot advance with medieval ideas such as religion acting as monkeys on our backs. People hold on to obsolete ideas. Behind every god, every prayer, is a security blanket, a thumb to suck on, a skirt to hold. People hold on to obsolete ideas because they are scared. People are scared of everything. Religion acts to reassure these people. 

Now, some may say that this is to be admired. But should you reassure someone with lies? With nothing concrete? With your beliefs?

The biggest vice, passed down from our parents since time immemorial, kept because of indoctrination and fear of divine retribution. A vice that needs to be conquered, religion.

2. Lack of education

If people don't know that there are options, then how can they choose? If people cannot see the road, how do they know which path to take?

Everyone deserves education. Knowledge is power, and if some receive knowledge and others don't, it simply creates a society based on intellectual segregation, much like we see today in western societies.

3. Mental weakness

This vice is difficult to describe. To me, it means holding onto an argument which has been proven to be wrong out of stubbornness. Lack of admirable qualities, such as courage, or kindness, or love.

When people cannot behave in a kind way to others, then they hardly deserve to be called people, in other words.

Mental weakness rears its head in the teenagers of today, my classmates. They chase after sex and drugs because they need to maintain an 'image'. They change their clothes, their hairstyle, their personality, all to be 'cool'. What is a man, if not himself? Nothing, that's what. 

It is lack of determination, of depth. When someone is just a shallow pool, filled with shallow ideas, then that is mental weakness.