How is something still a sin if it does not directly physically or mentally harm yourself or another?

Question

I was thinking along the lines of gay people and such...

Answer 1

it is the "act" that makes it a sin.

Answer 2

When a religion says something is a sin it is because it violates the religion's moral principles.The whole causing harm thing is more of a legal concept and while some things that are considered a sin such a murder or stealing would also fall under the category of legal concepts, the religion is looking at them from a moral perspective not a legal perspective and that is why they are considered sins.


And just to respond to what someone else said...being gay is NOT a birth defect. It is simply a trait such as being right or left handed that a person IS BORN WITH...it is not something you can just choose...the belief that someone can just decide one day "Oh I think I'll be gay now" is the most rediculous thing I have ever heard. A person who is gay cannot and should not have to "choose" not to be gay.

Answer 3

Because something that carries actual harm to yourself or another carries with it a natural detterent and as such people don't tend to indulge in these things. People are best controlled by guilt and guilt must spring from the fertile soil of indulgence. The whole reason for the prohibition on homosexuality is the lack of offspring due to these unions. Basically the same reason masturbation is a sin. At one point the catholic church wanted it's members to- above all things- make little catholics at an alarming rate. It probably has to do withthe fact that much of our modern bible was translated and modified by monks in the period immediately following the black plague where the world's population was less than 25% of what it was before the epidemic. The acts that might releive sexual tension but not result in a baby were frowned upon as detracting from the repeopling of the relegion. This ancient bit of policy was handed down as the word of God in order to ensure compliance from the ignorant. As a result relegious zealots to this day really beleive that sexuality is a moral issue. If the same translation of the bible weret o be performed today with our population becoming dangerously large for our planet the monks would say that it was a sin to have more than one child. History answers all questions.

Answer 4

You know friend, some times one cannot see the Forrest for the trees.

Jesus Christ died for any and everything. One need only accept Him as their Lord and Savior.

Remember, some sin has immediate consequence, some sin may continue a long time; giving one a chance to see and come and or do the right thing or come into the truth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that is the goodness of God. Also you may be forgiven for any sin if you repent and ask God to forgive you, sometimes you must ask another to forgive you and sometimes friend you must forgive yourself. I have heard some people say they must take that to the grave; what a great misnomer. Stop sinning Confess and accept; yet if you falter stop, confess continue; remembering that at some point if you to not stop, confess and continue you may leave this planet unsaved then your end shall be the lake that burns with fire. There was something children use to say when one was growing up > don't get caught with your draws (panties, under shorts) down. The bottom line is your consequence may be your choice to live eternity in heaven or hell > the lake that burns with fire. Watch and pray > 1+1+1=1.

Answer 5

To accept something is a 'sin' in Life you have to accept Christianity in your life, and in accepting Christianity (religion) then you're accepting that this 'new' life will have rules to follow, one of which would be against adultery, or alternative lifestyles, or anything that would go against your branch of religion, be it Catholicism, Protestantism or any of the more fanatical born-again understandings of the Christian faith.

You can go one of two ways: condemnation or comforting. Be assured that the choice is yours, and that your beliefs are the basis of your decision, but you must be ready to make a choice. You can wag a finger, or you can Love everyone unconditionally. You much make the choice either way.

I can't tell you how to choose or live, and I can't tell you what could be wrong in the end. I have my beliefs, and my understandings, and I won't be the one pointing at you or telling you that you're right or wrong. All that matters is that if you're sad I will comfort you, and if you're happy I'll rejoice with you. You have to be the one to take a look deep inside yourself and learn about religion first.

Best Wishes,

Jaime

Answer 6

Hear's the thinking to date ; God gave the command to 'Be Fruitful and Multiply'. Even if no one read that little account in Genesis, the instinct is inherited . A Genetic code makes us miserable if we refuse to obey it. Knowing how to get around that sticky item is one thing, but can God really be mocked?
Ever wonder why when people practice something unethical in their profession and are 'reasonably certain' it's okay, they are always re -interating their logic? Its as if they feel a constant need to justify a thing they do.
Sometimes they really get on the old 'soapbox' about it, and then everyone knows they have a guilty conscience over it!

I have never heard anything as slippery as a gay person telling us he or she was 'born that way'. -Does this mean they admit a birth defect? And so on and on it goes....

Answer 7

"Sin" is defined by the religion of the sinner - not by logic (necessarily). I don't see being gay as a sin either, but Judeo-Christian thinking doesn't agree. If someone believes in those laws/rules, then he's a sinner by THAT definition, and for some people, that's all that matters.

Answer 8

Sin is a concept created by the Church solely for the purpose of developing a set of "Do's and Don'ts" to be used in keeping people in line.
There are certain things that are off limits to most people of moral fibre (lying,stealing,sleeping with someones spouse.etc).
Other than these basics, I believe in live and let live.
Good luck

Answer 9

Well most people consider a sin an "evil" declared by their religious beliefs in which most have base in logic, reasoning and morals. However some simply have to do with tradition, and tradition is dangerous ground for forming immoral ground.

Answer 10

Re sexual orientation--it's only that current societal judgement hasn't advanced to a point past a religious belief yet, in some groups of peoples. "Sin" is a religious demarcation that tried to protect people and esp to propogate the human race. The human race is not strictly divided into discrete genders--it's a whole gradiation, we are coming to realize. It's what is in one's heart and behavior that determines "sin"; not who one loves or has sex with.

Answer 11

religion is tainted by the imput and interpertaion of man. The Bible was not written by the hand of God, but by the hand of man. As long as you lead a 'moral' life, and try not to do things that bring harm to others, or your self, then not much more can be asked of you as a person. Im not sure on the existance of god, but i choost to live my life by these basic principles. It works for me :D

Nate