Do any of you Christians think like this? 'You don’t understand the concept of repentance for sins because you do not feel that the idea of sin exists'?
If so... why? How is believing or not believing in sin relavant to understanding the concept of repentance for them?
2007-03-26 15:43:25 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
i dont think it is relevant because there is right or wrong , sin is the same except i dont have to go to confession
2007-03-26 15:46:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If by "sin" one means the concept of an offense against a God, then atheists do not understand sin as such.
Atheists do however, understand the idea of right and wrong. Right and wrong are those things which will either enhance or diminish society.
Rape and murder and other strong offenses will always harm society for obvious reasons. Smaller offenses can also be shown to be hurtful.
Repentance means to turn away from doing wrong acts, and as such, an atheist might understand that concept, while striving to avoid the religious implications. Suffering a punishment for an offense too is a human consideration. While we've moved away from "an eye for an eye", we do still use punishment as a means to reinforce our concepts of right and wrong.
2007-03-26 22:54:35 · answer #2 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am not an Atheist. I am a self-read Christian. And after studying the Bible for about 50 years (with an open mind), I have discovered that most Church Christians do not understand the concept of "sin". They tend to think of it as a list of things rather than how Jesus presented it.
Succinctly, Jesus' theme (not Paul or Peter's or Religious Empires):
Harmony is harmony; disharmony is the only sin against God.
smiles --
2007-03-26 22:52:03 · answer #3 · answered by MrsOcultyThomas 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I understand your concepts of sin and the need to for repentance. I just don't believe in any of it.
Do christians not understand the concept of not believing in any god(s). I don't think it is that hard to grasp.
2007-03-26 22:51:02 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The notion of repentance for sin is a theological idea. Since theology is the study of God, and atheists do not believe in God, the notion of repentance for sin does not recommend itself to them, which is not to say that an atheist, upon doing something which a Christian might consider "sin," does not regret the act and resolve not to repeat it.
"Repentance for sin" is merely another mode of expressing regret for an inappropriate or harmful act and the resolution not to repeat it. Christianity does not hold a monopoly on moral or ethical thought and behavior.
2007-03-26 22:49:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you do not believe in sin, you cannot begin to understand the huge separation between our sinfulness and the holiness of God. Understanding this separation is essential to comprehending repentance, forgiveness, and the absolutely amazing gift of grace. Consequently, many who don't believe in sin, think somehow that if there were a God, he would have to accept any "good" stuff we do as balancing out the "bad" stuff we do. They cannot comprehend the fact that God says even our best actions done out of our sinful flesh are like "filthy rags" compared to the absolute holiness of God.
2007-03-26 22:50:48 · answer #6 · answered by happygirl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sin is something you voluntarily do against God's will. Sin is bad...plain and simple.
Believing in the existence of sin is relevant to repentance b/c w/out realizing that you did wrong (or sinned) then you, in your mind, would not need to repent.
2007-03-26 22:48:32 · answer #7 · answered by ac28 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do Christians not understand imagined guilt?
I will not feel guilty for breaking any silly rules, but if my actions have a negative affect on someone else then I have to live with it in my conscience. I don't get off just by repenting.
2007-03-27 02:05:35 · answer #8 · answered by God Fears Me 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because if you do not have a sense of guilt you will not have an understanding of imposed judgment. What if, for argument sake, you did not believe that murder was bad? Consequently, you would think a prison sentence for murder would be foolish/sadistic, etc. But if you realize murder is a crime you will be lead to the conclusion that judgment is needed. If you do not have a sense of the crime, you will not have a sense of the judgment. If you do not have a sense of our depravity, you will not have a sense of our possible redemption. It would be like drowning in the ocean and thinking your feet are on solid ground and that you do not need help.
2007-03-26 22:56:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most atheists don't think in terms of "sin". "Sin" to them is something that is God or religion specific, so they don't think that way. Most atheists think in terms of right and wrong. They know right from wrong. They believe in feeling sorry when you've done something wrong. They believe in punishment for doing wrong that deserves punishment. They believe in accountability for one's actions. "Sin" and "repentance" is just not the language they use.
2007-03-26 22:54:03 · answer #10 · answered by Jess H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably not...
For the concept of "sin" to be feasible, you need to have a belief in "God" and "man's separation from God."
Maybe even "mans separation from God by FREE CHOICE!"
I don't think the the concept of sin is workable without the concept of God. In order to break the law you need to have a "law giver."
Evil -- maybe,
Wrong -- maybe...
but not SIN!
.
2007-03-26 22:49:26 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋