People lie, cheat, steal, and yes, they still ‘covet thy neighbour’s wife’. Every major religion has a position on sin, and almost all modern-day laws have been written to curb the dark sinner lurking within all of us. What remains a mystery is why we sin, even when our brains know better.
THE SCIENCE OF SIN explores the shadowy pathways of the human mind to examine why the temptation to sin is evolutionarily hard-wired and asks if this scientific reality can be trumped by culture, laws or religion.
This four part documentary series airs Wednesdays on VisionTV beginning May 4.
GREED AND ENVY
Wednesday, May 4 at 10pm ET / 7pm PT
Theologians say that greed is like drinking saltwater: you think you’re going to be satisfied but you always thirst for more. Stephanie, a former runner-up on The Apprentice, describes herself as ambitious and greedy. She enjoys the chase, the power and the “freedom” greed brings. But as she desperately seeks to have relationships with other people, does greed prevent her from reaching out? Science holds the key. On the flip side of greed, is envy. Rachel has been envious her entire life – so much so that she now battles a shopping addiction. For more than four decades Rachel has struggled with overspending fuelled by western culture and advertising that conspires to have us envy the rich and emulate the lifestyles of “the rich and famous.” But why has she acted this way? Could it be she has the “credit card” gene in her DNA?
Written by Michael Allcock.
GLUTTONY AND SLOTH
Wednesday, May 11 at 10pm ET / 7pm PT
Terry is a 400 pound, stand-up comedian who wants to make a “big” impact on his audience; Karen is a competitive fitness model with a surreal body and sculpted frame. What could they possibly have in common? According to our religious scholars, both are considered gluttons, obsessed by food impulses. Terry and Karen will undergo a series of tests to reveal their inner sinner. When it comes to the sin of sloth we meet Aidan, a 17-year-old video gamer. He is chronically tired and underperforming at school. Dr. Mariana Figueiro believes that artificial lighting and a myriad of technologies has brightened our evenings and is the real culprit behind our changing sleep patterns.
Written by Paul Kemp and Rob Fantino.
LUST AND WRATH
Wednesday, May 18 at 10pm ET / 7pm PT
Clive has a history of violent outbreaks and trouble with authority – the latest resulting in his arrest, and separation from his wife and children. Can renowned Los Angeles psychologist Dr. Ray Novaco, who coined the term “anger management”, help someone so enraged? While biological evidence suggests we are meant to have multiple partners, infidelity is a sin. Brian and Ashley’s 12-year marriage hangs by a thread due to Brian’s infidelity. The couple travels to the ‘Love Lab’ to meet Dr. John Gottman. With one in two marriages ending in divorce, are we really meant to stay together? Can evolution, and our DNA, wash away responsibility for Brian’s sins? And what happens when anger and passion explode into the most destructive behaviour of all—murder? Rev. Glowacki introduces us to Iouri who is serving a life sentence for the second degree murder of his wife. Can science explain why people murder? It turns out, it can.
Written by Paul Kemp and Andrea Stewart.
PRIDE
Wednesday, May 25 at 10pm ET / 7pm PT
Pride is also the creator of hate and dishonesty, yet science suggests that positive self-esteem is crucial. Theologians agree that the denial of the truth has a role in all sin, and pride is the ultimate in self-deception. Tevya is obsessed with his looks, consuming daily supplements and barely ever eating “chew meals”. Even when professionally warned of the damage he may be doing, Tevya insists on his unhealthy regimen. He meets neuroscientist Dr. Julian Keenan, who points out that the human brain has evolved a unique cognitive process: the ability to lie to ourselves and to each other and this is part of what makes us human.
Written by Andrea Stewart.
The Science of Sin was produced for VisionTV by Stornoway Productions. Directed by Karl Jason the series was produced by Paul Kemp and Itay Heled. Andrea Stewart and Rob Fantinatto Associate produced.
