What is sin to an atheist?

Question

As an atheist, the idea of sin is irrelevent really, it can only hold you back.
So in atheist thinking, is it apt to consider the only sin to be a belief in sin, which would imply a belief in sin, and would therefore mean you were constantly sinning?

Only eight minutes since I asked this question and I think I got the answers I wanted.
I wasn't asking to get some ideas, just checking to see if there are any sensible people out there, and I'm surprised and pleased to see there is.

Answer 1

As a Christian I believe that when I sin against man, I also sin against God. The atheists I know still have morals. They still know that mistreating their fellow man is wrong. So it may not be called sin. But it really is still the same thing as sin against man. Not the same as sin against God. So I think Atheist still believe in there is sin, but simply refuse to call it by that name, because that could be misunderstood as a belief in God. Also I know that everyone, be they Christian or atheist, can at times question their beliefs. So if an atheist started to wonder if something was sinful, he would not be sinning simply by thinking whatever act was sinful.
Lastly, the truth is the truth whether or not we believe it. If I believe babe ruth hit only 713 home runs, it does not change the fact that he hit 714. Similarly, a persons belief or lack of belief in God, does not affect whether or not he does or does not exist. Therefore IF he does exist, sin also exists. And my belief or your lack of belief does not affect the reality either way.

Answer 2

I assume that sin is mostly synonymous with "evil act", but has the connotation (for believers) that the act is also specifically against "god's will". I believe that the God of the Hebrew Bible is mythical, much like Zeus. So, there is no such thing as "god's will". As such, the word "sin" is pretty useless, since it carries connotations for Christians that don't resonate with me.

I even have difficulty with the word "evil" because Christians often use it in a way that implies that there is a "force" that causes evil acts to happen. I don't believe there is any kind of force that causes evil acts.

I think it is much more rational to recognize that humans have evolved over millions of years from ancestors who had to be aggressive and competitive to survive. Humans have learned the value of cooperative behavior, but we still resort at times to selfish behavior that harms others. This kind of behavior is "evil", and it is good for society to try to limit it through a justice system.

Answer 3

I don't think you can call it sin, really, but if the notion being advanced here is that athiests aren't moral, well, that's incorrect. Athiests have morals. It's quite simple. Don't do things to others that you wouldn't want done to you. Treat others as you would want to be treated. These are very simple principles that don't require the belief of a white-haired old god in the sky to abide by.

Answer 4

The problem with most of the thinking above is that it is based on what anindividual thinks. Most people think we shouldn't kill each other, but there are some who disagree. When you base your world view on what you come to think at any given time, you must accord that same privilege to others. Most of us are here on earth for less than a century. What even the most brilliant and thoughtful individual can learn on his/her own in that speck of time is insignificant. The Christian world view is backed by thousands of years of history and the writing of great thinkers across those centuries. That doesn't prove it is the true world view, but to dismiss it based on what you happen to believe on this day of your short, short life does not merit classification as a world view. It is an opinion without merit. If you want to promote the atheist view you need more than that to do it. If you want to understand the Christian view, not necessarily agree to it, but simply attempt to seriously understand it, I recommend Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis.

Answer 5

For me, I try to be a good person always cuz I know my karma will get me if I don't. Sort of like Heaven and Hell right here on Earth to deal with here and now. So be good. I'm probably an atheist, depending on how you define it. Sin is sort of silly concept to me to be honest. Some old guys decided 1000 years ago what I should and shouldn't feel guilty about?Maybe being gay, or bingo, or masterbation, etc. I'm not buyin it, sorry. They can go to hell.

Answer 6

I would say that sin is just the religious word for morally bankrupt. As an Atheist I think there are many horrible things like theft, murder, and rape to name just a few, so in a sense, I do believe in "sins" although in my own way.

Answer 7

James 1:14,15 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
James 4:17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
1 John 1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us

Answer 8

Since Atheists don't believe in God, they don't believe in sin. Atheists rely on their own personal moral beliefs to keep them on the straight and narrow.

Answer 9

I'm baffled by your babbling. There is no god to offend. There is no sin. It only crosses my mind when a weird question like this comes up. Morals and ethics are another matter entirely.

The only thing that I constantly do...is live and die in each moment.

Answer 10

Sin means transgression against the will of a god, and since no gods exist, nor does sin.

Morality does exist though, and is much the same in all of us, theist and atheist alike (despite the fact that theists like to dress up their morality in religious terms).