Why are things that don't harm anyone considered wrong or a "sin?"?

Question

What's wrong with having safe, protected sex with a consenting adult, no matter their gender? No one is getting hurt.

What's wrong with getting tattoos? That hurts no one either. (Well, ok it DOES hurt, but only for a little while, and it was your choice, right?)

What's wrong with smoking pot? It's no worse than smoking tobacco or having the occasional beer, and that isn't seen as a sin. Lots of good Christians drink every once in a while, and even more smoke tobacco.

If something you are doing makes you happy and doesn't hurt anyone, what's wrong with it?

And please, please, please do not answer "Because God said so" or "It's in the Bible." I want critical thinking here.

linda b, just because something offends your delicate little sensibilities doesn't mean its wrong. No one is forcing you to watch.

Fokkerball, consider it added. Masturbation is a great stress reliever, and I guarantee you that everyone does it, no matter what some people claim. :D

iris4747, how is a gay person hurting themself? They're with someone they love and are attracted to. What's wrong with that?

dewcoons, tattoos have been around for centuries.

Answer 1

Please add masturbation to that list

Answer 2

Those "sins" are considered sins for a reason. God was warning people about things that can cause harm. It doesn't necessarily mean they will harm someone, but they can. For example, people are hurt when it comes to sex all the time. What happens when one of those people decides they are through with the other? Sex is an emotional thing and our emotions can change on a whim. Smoking pot is currently illegal, so I find it unwise to do that. I find myself asking this question "Is it wise to do this?" Not "Is this a sin?" or "Is there anything wrong with this? I personally don't think it's wise to do any of those things you mentioned. Sure as heck doesn't mean I've never done any of them. The sins in the Bible are there because they are not regarded as wise things to do. It is God's way of warning us. I try to decide whether something is a wise decision instead of consulting a big list of do's and dont's. I don't have to run and check a page number and verse everytime I'm trying to make a decision. When it comes right down to it, a lot of the stuff in the Bible is just basic common sense.

Answer 3

I totally agree with you, too many people just quote the bible on these things, they don't hurt anyone, maybe the pot one since it can cause lung cancer, but other than that, there's nothing wrong with it, and millions of people do it everyday, and god doesn't come down himself and go oh what you're doing is wrong. I think that whatever you do is your own personal business and if you are happy and it doesn't hurt anyone, go for it! They aren't sins! :D

Answer 4

All of these things hurt someone very important, you.
Can you really say that these things make you happy?
Do you really fill joy at the end of the day, when everything that you have accomplished has come to an end? When the party ends, the tattoo fades, and you finished your beer?
Many things that we value here on earth are so temporary and so minimal. If we could just understand the value of eternity, we would reject everything that we covet.
Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit; it is the most precious gift God has given you.
God has done so much for you, what will you do for Him?
Live for Him. Praise Him with your life, your thoughts, your actions. And you will soon see what true happiness is all about.
God Bless

Answer 5

First if you truly want to know what God thinks about the subject you have to consider the bible... Listening to what othres say is just their imperfect opinions and not that of Gods.

Secondly, you look at the small picture of things sure its just "innocent" sex with someone while your not married, right? Maybe there wouldnt have to be so many abortions if people would actually wait till they matured and are married and not including do you know how many disputes there are over people sleeping around?

Smoking pot, drinking beer, etc is a sin to me.. who said christians where perfect and not struggling with their own temptations?

I would try to explain more, but I dont think you are truly looking for answers.

Answer 6

perhaps the word "sin" is at fault. I think that anything that takes away from your child-like wonder and adds to your jaded unhappiness (there IS a downside to those things you mentioned) could conceivably be construed as "sin". Whatever takes away your grace. What makes you restless, unhappy...even NOT doing things may be a sin.

Let us say you have certain duties, like cooking, cleaning and laundry. NOT doing them is bad. Can cause extreme violence in some people who cannot stand undue clutter and noise. Yet doing them is SUCH a pain at times, one wonders if it is ever REALLY appreciated.

I was doing laundry earlier, and as usual, began some odd contemplation of this very thing. Some clothes you just have to toss into the machine with a little soap, and voila! They are clean. Others you have to scrub with a bar of soap, and even so, the stain is not removed. Sometimes, *gasp*, you need bleach. Sins are like that. If you never did laundry...ack! the idea is anathema to me!

edit: thanks for the thumbs down! I LOVE thumbs downs. I feel so...Hells Angel-ish

Answer 7

Maybe at the moment it doesn't hurt any one, you may console yourself that way if you want. What about later when an occasional drink turns to alcoholism, tobacco to lung cancer, Tats, they're just gross!, consenting sex even protected isn't 100% effective and can result in anything from an unwanted pregnancy (which may lead to abortion, and who gets hurt then?) to any number of STDs.
Who gets hurt? How about your children, on a broader scale, how about society when society has to clean up after you?
Why not just act responsibly in the first place like God wants you to and this world could be a much better place!!!

Answer 8

Because religion is conservative and must react against threats to the status quo

Strangely established religion has been very very quiet about the threats made to 70's soft-rockers Status Quo

Answer 9

Because each of the things that you mentions does hurt someone - you.

Any sexual relationship outside of a married man and woman perverts the person that God intends for them to become. It gives away a piece of their heart that should be going to their spouse so that they can never full love the person God intends for them. It increases the odds that they will cheat after marriage. The Bible refers to it as a sin a person commits against themself.

Same holds true with marijuanna or any other drugs usage - including alchohal and beer. There are many Christians, cuh as myself, who do not drink at all. Marijuana has been proven to impair judgement, reduce motivation, and increase the dangers of lung and other cancers. A sin against yourself.

Tattoos are currently a fad. Ten years from now they will be out of style, and looked down on. Just like every other fad I have seen in too manu decades of living. But unfortunately, unlike a hair style or a clothing style, you can't go out and get new skin. It is very difficult to get rid of them once you have them. As the fad swings, they will go back to being seen as undesirable, and a sign of rebellion or "evil". As such, they will reduce your chances of getting a high paying, professional position, and will probably cost you (and your family) hundreds of thousands of dollars in income.

So the answer to your question is that all things you listed are harmful to you. That is what makes them a "sin".

Answer 10

Here is my definition of SIN :
A sin is a action that you find comfortable in private,but if exposed to a certain group or individual,would cause a negative reaction by the 3rd party.

As for all the things stated above,I TOTALLY APPROVE !
You know what? People should vote you a president !

Answer 11

Sin is not about how others are affected, it's about one's relationship with God.