To the religious: What is sin?

Question

That is, what is its nature? Why are the actions labeled "sin" so bad?

One perspective is that sin involves some kind of obsession with the self, while love is selfless. Thus, it is the "self" that is the problem. If this is true, do you think that a selfless person who commits a sin that harms no one is guilty of evil?

What is your perspective? Try your best to see it from God's point of view.

No "God/The Bible says so" answers. I'm asking for thought, here. If you have nothing to contribute, don't bother.

Let me add something.

Not all sin mentioned in the Bible is a way of harming someone else.

Also, not everyone has the same "intrinsic" notions of good and evil. How can you use this argument?

And to say "disobeying God" is EXACTLY THE ANSWER I TOLD YOU NOT TO USE. Think!

kaehya: Thank you for what was almost the only intelligent answer in the bunch at that point.

Grace: That, I think, is the best response yet.

Answer 1

Since the definition of sin is any act that separates you from God, I'd say it would be any action that changes your perspective from the Love of God to the love of self. For example, anger is not a sin in-and-of-itself because we are told we can be angry but not sin. We can however be angry and react out of our anger in a manner that will separate us from God. At that point our anger is not a sin but the reaction to our anger is a sin because it stems from our need to protect and advance self.

Personally, I do not like the attitude many have of pointing a finger and declaring something a sin. I think it's much more productive and keeping with God's will that we let Him deal with each action individually and guide us. Some things are definitely outside the will of God but by making an issue out of them we raise the concept of condemnation and guilt rather than the concept of understanding and restoration.

Answer 2

This is a really great question, and one I have given much thought to. How do we define what is 'sin' and what is the purpose?

After much contemplation and prayer, I decided that I really didn't like the word at all, because of the negativity that is associated with the word. However, I also recognized that sin does exist, but it wasn't exactkt what I thought it was.

I believe that sin is an action that is perpetrated with the intention to inflict harm or pain to another person, animal, earth or property. This can be anything.......from the premeditated taking of someone's life, to the spreading of lies to mare someone's character to stealing someone's property.

Let us take the subject of murder. There is premediated murder, and there is homicide. In case of an accidental murder, is this sin? Intention?

Let us look at sexuality. Sex before marriage............? If two people have a mutual love for one another, and they want to show their love for each by engaging in sexual expression, how can that be a sin? The 'marriage' is their committment to each other.......not a piece of paper. So, if they are harming no one, and neither has made another committment to another person, how can this be a sin?

What is a sin in the eyes of man, may not be a sin in the eyes of God. This phrase comes from the movie 'The Scarlett Letter' with Demi Moore. This movie was a turning point for me.....because of the profound contrast it provides. It addresses this exact question (what is sin?), and causes us to think about the differences between religion and spirituality.

Evil is the perpetuation of ego, the feeding of the desires of ego no matter who it hurts or what manner is used.

Answer 3

I think sin is any action against Her (like killing Her other children or tearing up the Earth), purposely bringing misfortune on another and disrespect to those who love you.

Loving only yourself is a sin, I'd think because you don't love another soul or as much as your own.

All sins harm people. Even if the sinner claims to be selfless. If the harm doesn't 'get' to anyone else, it un-purifies yourself. So really its hurting you.

We all do things wrong. I can't see it from Her POW simply because I am not Divine.

Answer 4

The EXACT meaning of sin is to miss the mark/target. For example if you do not follow God's plan for you. Sin can be small or big, but either way it is still sin and God doesn't measure it he looks at all sin in the same way and is sad and hurt when we do sin. The good news is we can be forgiven for anything just by simply asking.

Answer 5

I'm not religious, but here's my understanding of sin. A sin is something that has a negative consequence on either one's self, or toward another human being. Oh, and a sin includes not being virtuous (i.e., you're not harming yourself or others, but you're also not doing any good). And a virtue is something that is good for one's self, or for humanity.

Personally, I think sins against other people should be considered crimes. But sins against yourself should be legal, and we should be the ones to decide if we want to ruin our own lives and go to "Hell", or if we want to live virtuous. We should have the freedom to choose not to sin, not be forced not to sin.

Answer 6

You cannot discuss sin without thew mention of God. Sin is transgression of the Law. It doesn't matter if it harms another human being. From God's perspective, He has made laws to live by. If you or I break any one or all of those laws, God is the one effected. No person is truely selfless.

Answer 7

Sin means missing the mark of perfection. sin is bad because it pays off in death and all the murders, adultery ect... that we have in our world. It depends on us sometimes with everyday things to take something too far for it to become sin, For example eating isn't a sin but gluttony is, drinking isn't but being drunk is. In my opinion we were created to live forever in a paradise earth without harm or malice,peaceful... It was taken away from us because of disobedience in the garden, what we could of had and what we got is a sin.

Answer 8

A sin is something that you know is wrong, but which you do anyway. Knowing the difference between right and wrong makes you accountable for your own actions. A clinical moron couldn't be responsible for whatever horrors he or she brings into the world. A person of average intelligence knows when they have done something to hurt someone, or to cause wanton loss of life or happiness.

Answer 9

Sin is transgression (breaking) of God's laws.
God is our creator, and we are here on earth deciding whether we will enter into his kingdom or not.
The kingdom has a King and we are the subjects. Do we want to submit to his rule over us? If yes then we enter into his kingdom and start living by his rules of living.
He sets the rules, just like local law. You and I don't make the rules, the Govt does and we are expected to obey them..
Disobeying God is a sin.

Answer 10

A sin is a crime against God and his laws . A bad thought , swearing , lust , love of money ,disobedience , murder ,rape, etc ... man by nature doesn't want to follow rules especially Gods law . Which is why God called it a " sin ".