Is it necessary to believe in God in order to believe in "SIN?" Is "sin" entirely a religious concept?

Answer 1

What a fantastic question. A few others have hinted at my view on this. Strictly speaking, sin is not only religious concept but I believe is also restricted to the Abrahamic religions. Of course the influence of these religions has spilled over into the secular world so we see the term sin (in both noun and verb forms) used with or without religious context, but I believe it's rooted in these belief systems.

But, it's also interesting to note that many of the original Biblical translations used other words. Transgressions or trespasses, which are similar in syntax but doesn't require the same context as the term "sin". We also see the words debts or "offenses used in some translations (if you read the "Our Father" in German (Vaterunser) we see the word Schuld or "guilt" used.

Latin (pater noster -- Not to be confused with a paternoster, which is a type of elevator, of sorts, used in Germany) the word debita (debt) is used.

In fact, even in the same version of the Bible (KJV) we see Matthew using "debt" and Luke using "sin"

I really am working on a point here. The idea is that we have this word living in two worlds. The over all concept of breaking a law or creating a debt is a universal concept however, the term sin, as it is most commonly used in our Western culture, is a religious term which I don't personally believe in. There is no such thing as sin in this context -- it is a religious construct.

In the larger scheme of things, however, by transgressing against others, by breaking common laws (of the secular type) we can "sin" against each other, but honestly few people see the term in such a secular way.

Answer 2

As a child being bought up strictly by the bible, I believed in sin, I was petrified of what God was going to do to me if I did sin. As I got older and moved on from religion I realized the word Sin is the same as the word Wrong except if you are religious God will judge you, if not hopefully your conscience will guide you better next time. It is a religous concept for sure.

Answer 3

No, one can still believe in 'sin', however it remains an entirely religious concept. 'Sin' is a relative judgment kind of like 'good' and 'evil'. Relative judgments have no ontological status and therefore do not exist apart from their existence as a concept.
Without those relative judgments, there would only be the objective assessment of whether something served us or not, either individually, collectively, or both. That may seem like a minor distinction to most people, but actually it isn't. The objectivity is all important.

Answer 4

I don't think it is a religious concept, after all any wrong doing could be considered a sin. However, theists have sins which non-believers may not. E.g. In Christianity it is a sin to have sex out of wedlock - personally I don't have a problem with this.

Answer 5

I agree with Freya to some extent, but the difference between theological sin and secular 'sin' is that the former is defined by rote from the relevant holy book, while the other is an instinctive moral evaluation.

For an atheist, a 'sin' would really be just something evil according to common sense and basic human feeling: the care we all have for society and humankind in general.

Religions, however, make things sinful even when they harm no-one: homosexuality for example. They're really just expressing their own fastidious revulsion (and sometimes attraction), but reifying it into a divine, supernatural law. Pathetic and dangerous.

CD

Answer 6

The original meaning of "sin" was "missing the mark," and you can do that in any philosophical system. (I "sin" as a Libertarian by wanting to limit the amount of toxins factories can release into the atmosphere, for instance.) That said, in most other philosophical systems, "missing the mark" isn't fatal and doesn't doom you to eternal torture and suffering. I get more forgiveness as a Libertarian who worries about the environment than I did as a Christian who didn't buy all the Assembly of God church's teachings on sexuality and media.

Answer 7

I don't like the word sin....it has a religious connotation to it...
Religious people see many things as black and white....There are some things that are such as murder and stealing....but the term is way over used by religious people and usually not applied to themselves as often...
I dont think that belief in God and belief in sin always walk hand in hand..

Answer 8

Since the definition of sin can only be defined by God, it is a religious concept. Also, God says when you sin, you have sinned against Me.

grace2u

Answer 9

The concept of absolute goodness only exists if God exists. If he doesn't, then relative goodness takes over and that basically means people decide for themselves whether something is right or wrong. Now sin is just something that does not adhere to absolute goodness. If God doesn't exist, then theoretically, everything can be justified as 'ok'. For example, if you stab someone that can be justified by saying, they deserved to be stabbed for being bad, they bullied you so revenge is right etc etc. So yeah, unless there is an absolute standard to fall short of, there can be no such thing as sin. Everything is theoretically, 'ok'.

Answer 10

No, "sin," in terms of language, can be used anyway you wish to use it. Believing in sin does not necessarily mean you believe in religion, but then again you shouldn't be asking other people what you can believe in.