If committing a "sin" saves a life or affects the greater good, is it still a "sin"?

Question

What I mean is... if you HAVE to do something that is considered a "sin" but the ONLY reason you're doing it is because it will result in a positive outcome, is it still a "sin"? And no, I don't mean killing someone for their bike just to satisfy your own selfish desires, that's not the "positive outcome" I'm thinking of. Like I said, it would have a significant impact on "the greater good".

I suppose this questions pertains more to people who believe in the concept of "sin", but I'm open to answers from anyone who wants to tackle the same issue, but replace "sin" with "crime" or "illegal act".

Answer 1

This question has actually come up and been discussed in political and religious circles, regarding real life situation. A few decades ago, a South American Soccer team's airplane went down in the Andes mountains. The survivors had no real hope of rescue, and eventually came to the point where they had to decide to either eat the flesh of their dead comrads, or die of starvation.

I seem to recall that all of them but one ate the human flesh.

The eventual result was that even the Catholic church, which considers canniballism a grave sin, forgave the survivors, who were told that, in their particular case, no sin was committed.

But, while most Christian religions consider suicide a mortal sin, the act of sacraficing onself, to benefit another in not a sin. On the other hand, for someone to make the choice to sacrafice an OTHER person, to benefit several others, he might still be acused of some form of murder.

So, the answer will ALWAYS be that it depends.

Answer 2

Yes.

Sin is a deliberate thought, word, deed, or omission contrary to the eternal law of God.

In other words, sin is anything that hurts your relationship with God.

Your question is the age old argument of whether the end justifies the means.

Christianity has always taught the the end does not justify the means. So you cannot morally commit a sin to achieve some good.

This is why Catholics are against embryonic stem cell research. You have to kill human beings, the embryos, to try to achieve some possible good.

Whether something is a sin (contrary to the eternal law of God) is situational. Usually it is a sin to steal. However if you are starving then it is not a sin to steal food. The sin is that someone did not give you the food you needed in the first place.

With love in Christ.

Answer 3

You misunderstand the relationship between man and sin. We all commit sin everyday, hour...faithful or not. For a firm believer to be faced with intentionally being disobedient for a gain, even if for 1000's of others, that one person has to decide the action and their response. For all sin, there is a way out. And, for this person, the way out may be to deny the 1000's of others a gain. Each of those others should be put to the same test individually, and each person decides what to put their faith in. Faith can be choosing the more painful way. But, it does not mean choosing the more painful way for another. The question is loaded. The definition of greater good is not given. And, is that greater good a reality? Is the act a sin...not just according to a sect or faith.

Answer 4

I hesitate to say that there could be circumstances that would mitigate a sinful act. But isn't that what capital punishments is? As a society, we kill to prevent a killer from killing again. If that is really why we administer the death penalty, then it might be valid, but that isn't what I see. I see murder victim's families calling for revenge. I am SO gonna get a thumbs down for this.
There are some acts called sins that wouldn't have any good excuse. When is it right to steal a person's lawful property? Is it ever right to commit idolatry or to covet?
In general terms and for most purposes, I would say that it is never right to sin, but there could be some specific exceptions.

Answer 5

Nothing will happen that will require a sin to save a life or do greater good. Infact, doing good usually helps you NOT to sin, so Sin will never be done in the name of good

Answer 6

I think it depends on what the sin is. and the circumstances. But how will you know the impact your actions will haveon society or actually be the greater good. How do you know that by performing that one act, you haven't put into place worse things to happen

Answer 7

It is still a sin. No matter what it is or what the outcome is. A sin is still a sin, and nothing will ever take away that status of it being a sin.

Answer 8

its still considered a sin, but im not sure if u should do it or not...i think that would be a hard decision for me, but more than likely I would go through with what i felt could save someone or positively impact things...i mean i think that if its really that helpful, then you should do it and repent about it later.

Answer 9

The fact is all are sinners it is the reason for the atonement and without accepting this atonement you die in your sins.There is a way that seems right to a man and this way ends in death. You have been deliberately vague in your question. What sin is for the greater good?

Answer 10

A sin is sin. There is only one way to Heaven and that is through Jesus Christ

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.