What's the difference between moral errors and sin?

Question

In my opinion morals developed out of a desire to not sin, so there is no difference in the two. What's your opinion?

I was going to ask if Atheists believe in sin, but noticed the question had already been asked. In reading one of the responses, someone said that she did not believe anything was wrong on principle (as long as it didn't hurt anyone), but did believe in moral errors. What's the difference?

(Don't shoot the messenger, I'm just trying to learn.)

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Alu9fLWsXREJWEH.SyPF0HwjzKIX?qid=20061011182924AAQLtiC

Here is the link to the question which sparked this one.
In error I combined two answers, Ronin and Eri's. However, the term "moral error" is still used. I had never heard of the term either.

Answer 1

moral error is not a word because if its an error its wrong. Moral means good, errors arent. So if you really wanted to use morqal error, it equals sin.

Answer 2

Good start, trying to establish your foundations by learning definitions. That is the problem with all the people, now...they're lost, totally, bizarrely lost, having disconnected themselves from the meaning of words that guide their being.

OK: 2 Big Archery terms:
1. Son (Tsun, Dson, Tzen, Zen): meaning to accurately deliver, to hit the bullseye in the target; also, possessing all characteristics of the Master; also, the luminous body in the sky representing the radiance from the Master's body that illuminates the dream.
2. Sin: To miss, to make a mistake, to pollute, foulup, screwup, etc. The term encompasses any form of error, including errors in morality, ethics, etc.

We had to make a big deal about sin in creating Christianity because the people had become very unfocussed, pretty crazy, because the Rabbis endlessly repeated THE LAW, boring the people in a stupor, like a wacky broken record. They've grown a little, but now the Ministers, Pastors, Reverends, and Priests have MADE THE SAME DADGUM MISTAKE (SIN).
G

Answer 3

I don't see a difference. But I'm not so sure that morals develope out of not wanting to sin. I think morals can better be described as a will to do the right thing. God says we know in hearts right from wrong whether we are his or not. In other words after Adam and Eve had the fruit of tree of knowledge we are all born with that knowledge. The atheist would obviously have trouble with any moral error directly effects God. Like if we do things that don't hurt others but bothers God it is still wrong. But I do believe that the legislation through the government of laws to protect us from ourselves is wrong. It is a control issue and choice is our God given right.

Answer 4

Morals developed out of two traits that evolution has 'instilled' in every social mammalian species on the planet: empathy and altruism. When the human brain started figuring out this nifty trick called 'abstract logic', we began to express those traits in novel ways.

Sin is defined as an offense against a deity. For example, two men engaged in the copulative act would be committing a sin under the Abrahamic religions, but it would not be a sin under most pagan religions.

When it comes to morality, however, the question is somewhat different. Morality is about the benefit of the moral community, that is, the benefit of those we consider our equivalents. For some, the moral community may literally extend only to themselves -- they hold themselves above all others. For others, the moral community may extend even beyond humanity, and certain moral rights are viewed as validly granted to non human species. That which increases either the potential for happiness or the expression of happiness is moral, that which reduces happiness or that potential for happiness is immoral. Thus, morality is subjective on a number of bases, though the foundation remains absolute -- empathy and altruism. For someone whose moral community is those who follow Christianity only, homosexuality is immoral, because it brings strife to the community; for someone who's moral community extends to all life, homosexuality would be a nonissue as it exists in countless species, not just the human race.

A moral error is thus an act which goes against the health or happiness of the moral community, which need not be a sin, and if a person does not believe in a deity, then that person is literally, by definition of 'sin', incapable of sinning.

Answer 5

Sin is strictly what's laid out in the Bible, as in using the Lord's name in vain, not obeying the commandments. Humans are all tainted by Eve's original sin. Mortal errors, however, can be anything from a doctor not making the correct diagnostics and costing a patient his/her life to choosing not to rely information which can be self-incrimination during a trial. Morals are developed socially, by the individuals within that society, while it is influenced by religion, it is not defined by it.

Also, according to some branches of Catholicism, sins can be forgiven and dissolved through confession. No such thing exists for moral errors.

Answer 6

I've never heard of a moral error. I can tell you the difference between an error and a sin - an error is unintentional and not premeditated. A sin requires knowledge that the action is wrong and the conscious choice to committ the action.

Answer 7

The whole theme of the Bible is about this point. To know what sin is you need to know what God considers right and wrong, and morals is about individuals choosing what right and wrong for themselves. That's why morals vary.

What happened at Genesis, is that Satan the Devil told Eve that she could choose what was good and bad for herself (Genesis 3:4-5). Therefore not having to live by Gods rules. God has let the human race try to live without His rule, so for all time it can be shown that we need Him (Jeremiah 10:23)). This has involved all of creation, even the angels. Not all of the angels remained faithfull to God, and they became fallen angels (demons). In fact they've been guiding humanity, and have been running things from behind the scenes (John 16:11, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Revelations 12:9). That's why the Devil was able to use all the kingdoms of the world to try and tempt Jesus (Luke 4:6-7). That's also why the world is so messed up. But God is in control, and we're right at the end of the beginning, coming up to armageddon (2 Peter 3:9-10).

Answer 8

I am not sure I understand the question. There is sin, intentional or not. Our actions always create a counter action.
And if you throw in the choices we have to make- remember the lesser of two evils is still evil. And we always have a choice- now whether we want to make the choice is that is the least painful- costing to us is irregardless of the fact we do have a choice.
Moral errors- I have never heard that term before.

Answer 9

Read Romans 2 :15

Answer 10

Christians think they make moral errors but that others commit sins.

I have no religion, but I think the Wiccans have it right. If it does no harm, no problem. Christians on the other hand are very quick to condemn others.

Love the christian, hate the christianity.