Is cancer the result of Original Sin?

Question

and magic apple radiation?

Answer 1

is this a serious question?

Answer 2

Similar arguments have been made regarding the "fallen" state of humanity. It depends on whether one applies the term "evil" only to intentional acts or one includes any misfortune. Sincere religious philosophers of the past have suggested that every problem, from illness to natural disasters, has come about because of humanity's refusal to trust God. The "what if" scenarios have all been explored and the conclusion is that, if Adam hadn't disobeyed, either there would be no natural "evils" or we would "understand" them, much as we understand the need for foxes to eat cute little bunnies.

More cautious theologians suggest that mindless tragedies are of a different order than willed wrongdoings. In other words, stuff happens, and the test of our faith is in our response. Of course that would apply to deliberate malfeasance as well, so maybe the degree of difference isn't all that great after all.

Neither school suggests that things like cancer are directly linked to the will of God. It's more like a consequence of living in a hazardous environment, i.e. the imperfect world. The fact remains, stuff (meaning anything we don't quite understand yet) does indeed happen. Determining blame (accurately or not) can be emotionallly satisfying but it doesn't really solve the problems. If we can't solve a problem, it is our obligation to learn, in order to control and eventually overcome it.

We are starting to understand things like weather and geological events, so the "evil" in them is evaporating. Disease is beginning to come under control, but we still have a long way to go and still tend to ask questions like, "Why would God allow this?" Interestingly, there are several accounts in the Bible where the writers struggle with the idea that God could be responsible for instigating "evil" of some kind, wether as a punishment or a test. The rough account shows God provoking a king to do something rash. The pious revision attributes the motivation to something else. It's a very old question.

Answer 3

Cancer is the mutated, unchecked growth of previously normal cells. Nothing more, nothing less. Now, some of the sinful things mankind is doing to the earth and our environment may be facilitating cancer to grow in humans and animals. Plants get a form of cancer too. Radiation from EFT towers, microwave radiation from cell phones and their towers, HAARP, chemicals being dumped from industry in the air and water, unecessary pharmaceutical drugs causing a toxic build up in the body, genetic predisposition...these are a few catalysts.

I doubt a woman eating a "magic apple" eons ago has anything to do with this. Seriously.

Answer 4

Original Sin gave us the Knowledge of Good and Evil and, presumably, the ability to distinguish between the two.

Cancer is the result of us permeating our entire world with toxic chemicals. Whenever the full research results are made public (Vioxx anyone?), it's clear that the manufacturers had a real good clue what they were unleashing.

And putting individual short-term economic gain over collective well-being is evil. Those responsible refuse to understand that. They could use a hefty dose of that Knowledge.

Answer 5

Okay, you're kidding, right?
You could not be so crass as to suggest that cancer is some sort of Godly revenge, could you?
Cancer is an illness. It aflicts the good and the bad and the worldly and the innocent and the rich and the poor and the big and the small.
Fortunately, medical science is learning to cure many forms of cancers that used to be a "death sentence" for the victims, but there is still a long way to go.
Having creepy evangelicals viewing illness as some sort of divine retribution does not help.

Answer 6

Yes, I believe cancer is one of the many results of the curse which came upon all of mankind as the result of Adam's sin in the Garden of Eden.

However you are wrong about the Apple.

The problem fruit was not an Apple in the tree, the problem was the pair on the ground.

Pastor Art

Answer 7

LOL--magic apple radiation--poor snow white!

Answer 8

We all have cancer cells in our body. If we mistreat our body, by not eating right (you know what I mean by that). What do you think all those colorants from the soda do??? Having habits (smoking, a lot of heavy drinking, drugs etc.), poor exercising will activate those cells and cancer will develop in certain areas that are weak. No it's not from sin. God forgives us, not hurt us. Everything that happens bad to us, if we really think about it we do it to ourselves.

Answer 9

Cancer is a class of diseases or disorders characterized by uncontrolled division of cells and the ability of these to spread, either by direct growth into adjacent tissue through invasion, or by implantation into distant sites by metastasis (where cancer cells are transported through the bloodstream or lymphatic system). Cancer may affect people at all ages, but risk tends to increase with age. It is one of the principal causes of death in developed countries.

There are many types of cancer. Severity of symptoms depends on the site and character of the malignancy and whether there is metastasis. A definitive diagnosis usually requires the histologic examination of tissue by a pathologist. This tissue is obtained by biopsy or surgery. Most cancers can be treated and some cured, depending on the specific type, location, and stage. Once diagnosed, cancer is usually treated with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. As research develops, treatments are becoming more specific for the type of cancer pathology. Drugs that target specific cancers already exist for several types of cancer. If untreated, cancers may eventually cause illness and death, though this is not always the case.

The unregulated growth that characterizes cancer is caused by damage to DNA, resulting in mutations to genes that encode for proteins controlling cell division. Many mutation events may be required to transform a normal cell into a malignant cell. These mutations can be caused by radiation, chemicals or physical agents that cause cancer, which are called carcinogens, or by certain viruses that can insert their DNA into the human genome. Mutations occur spontaneously, and may be passed down from one cell generation to the next as a result of mutations within germ lines. However, some carcinogens also appear to work through non-mutagenic pathways that affect the level of transcription of certain genes without causing genetic mutation.

Many forms of cancer are associated with exposure to environmental factors such as tobacco smoke, radiation, alcohol, and certain viruses. Some risk factors can be avoided or reduced.

Answer 10

Yes, magic apple radiation.

Answer 11

Cancer is when one part of the body separates from the rest. This part no longer identifies with the whole, so it acts as an invader to the host (itself).

Sin is when a soul knowingly opposes God.