Piety

In spiritual terminology, piety is a virtue that may include religious devotion, spirituality, or a mixture of both. A common element in most conceptions of piety is humility and religiosity.

Etymology

The word piety comes from the Latin word pietas, the noun form of the adjective pius (which means "devout" or "dutiful"). Pietas in traditional Latin usage expressed a complex, highly valued Roman virtue; a man with pietas respected his responsibilities to gods, country, parents, and kin. In its strictest sense it was the sort of love a son ought to have for his father.

The Latin term in turn may derive from Ancient Greek transliteration of Ancient Egyptian variants of Pouonsis or Piounsis meaning "wolf", an analogous name for the Egyptian war deity Wepwawet ("opener of the ways"), attested officially as early as 332 BC.

Use

Piety in modern English usage can refer to a way to win the favour or forgiveness of God. According to some, this type of piety does not necessarily require spiritual piety, while others refrain from distinguishing the two.

Pious (novel)

Pious is a thriller novel by American author Kenn Bivins, published in October 2010. The novel chronicles the reactions of Carpious Mightson and his neighbors when registered sex offender, Ian Kaplan, moves into the family-friendly neighborhood, Mechi Lane.

Carpious is an esteemed, charismatic leader in his community, but it is slowly revealed that there is a duality about him. He has a personal connection to Ian that he would prefer stays hidden.

Bivins delves into societal perceptions of sex offenders versus violent offenders and how it seems commonplace and accepted that sex-offenders can't be rehabilitated. The overarching theme of the novel is forgiveness.

Title

Pious is an ironic play on the virtue of piety which the main character, Carpious, seems to be in conflict of possessing. The character's name is combination of that virtue and the Christian symbol of the fish - carp.

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