Through inculcating the notion that sacrifice is a virtue, Christianity has succeeded in convincing many people that misery incurred through sacrifice is a mark of virtue. Pain becomes the inignia of morality – and conversely, pleasure becomes the insignia of immorality. Christianity, therefore, does not say, “Go forth and be miserable.” Rather, it says, “Go forth and practice the virtue of self-sacrifice.” In practical terms, these commands are identical.
