Could we use a different word than "sin" or "sinning?"?

Question

When we discuss what we believe (subjectively) to be "right" or "wrong," the use of sin, sinner & sinning seems to be very controversial, perhaps because of the religious implications. This inhibits intellectual discourse as it then changes focus by creating conflict between the relgious & non-religious. Just reflecting on how that might help.

I have tried five times to get rid of that second "?" Hmmm...

So far, the first paragraph of Rani addresses my question. I feel that a LOGICAL PROGRESSION of thought regarding "good" & "bad" would be more useful if other issues weren't introduced. As for Rani--didn't get my point at all. "A rose by any other name" No. Bad is not synonomous with sin. (A rose is a rose, but it is not a daisy.)

Answer 1

Well, i dont really like the word "sin" as I dont like its Greek equivalent (I am Greek). I never use it except metaphorically, f.e. not to buy this at such a low price would a sin. (silly example but just so you get the point).
I prefer to think in terms of social frameworks and behavior. I do not believe there is a fixed 'good/bad' or 'right/wrong' balance. What is good for me might be bad for you. What is right for a muslim might be wrong for a christian. But in a society, people coexist based on certain rules, made only to define a framework so that noone interferes with the other in an intrusive and offensive way.
Therefore, I prefer to adress situations in which people do not adhere to these 'rules' as "deviations". It is a much more general word and actually has the same meaning as 'sin' has in the religious context. To sin means to deviate from the words of God (whichever god you believe in - if you do). Only, because religion plays a major part in the lives and history of mankind, a special word was created to represent it.
Bear in mind that the word "sin" was solidified as a word during the Dark Ages, by the Holy Inquisition. It existed before, but it was not not until then that it received such importance.
Anyway, I really dont think religion should me made a part of everyday lives. Religions were created many hundreds of years ago, when societies had different standards and needs. There was a need to explain things that the philosophers and sages of that time could not explain, therefore the supernatural was the easy way to "clarify things, by making them as vague as possible" (sorry for the pun but its true!). the societies today, have a great sociological gap with the societies of those early years. People are much more educated in total and the circulation of information is almost unlimited. Which means that the application of those religions has an equally huge effectiveness gap compared to these early years. In fact, by incorporating to our daily lives social frameworks (religions) designed for people of such a diferential conception of live is to but a brake in our development as a species.
Religion (whether it is one of the old ones or on of the 20th century ones...) is great for personal development and contemplation, as well as a good way to set personal boundaries over what we, as persons, define as "good" or "bad". But they should not be used outside our personal framework; especially since there are so many religions and countless more different interpretations of them.
But, thats just what i think... I got a bit carried away, didnt I? Sorry about that but I liked your question! :)

Answer 2

While I am very spiritual, I almost never think in terms of "sin". I think in terms of ignorance, selfishness, fear, and hurtfulness. I think the "sinful" behaviors humans sometimes exhibit are based on these things--
They are ignorant of their very secure position as eternal spirit souls who are loved unconditionally by God--- therefore, they act self-defensively and selfishly. The further they go away from love--- love of God and love of others-- the worse their position becomes and the more prone to selfish using of others they become. The ultimate result is people who have no regard whatsoever for other living entities and will go to any extreme whatever to satisfy themselves.

Answer 3

Actually the Greek word we translate as "sin" means "missing or falling short of the mark".

Answer 4

a rose by any other name...

Answer 5

iniquity