Who is responsible for sin?

Question

God puts two newly-created, naive humans who have -no- knowledge of good and evil into Eden.

God puts Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil into Eden.

God tells humans not to eat of the tree.

God puts Satan into Eden (in the form of the serpent).

God, who knows everything, does not intervene when the serpent tempts Eve.

God, who knows everything, does not intervene when Eve tempts Adam.


If a parent places a bucket of gasoline and a box of matches in front of a five year old, and says "don't play with this", but leaves the child in the custody of a rogue who keeps telling the child "play with the matches", who is responsible for the gasoline exploding?

The child?

The rogue?

Or the parent who placed the gasoline, matches, rogue and child in the same place -knowing- with absolute certainty what was about to happen?

Surprisingly, christians will blame the child every time.

Not only will they blame the child, christians will claim the crime of the child was so bad that every one of the child's descendants must be held accountable for it, for as long as humanity exists.

Why?

Then I will say that I am yet to hear a christian whose claim to christianity is in any way valid say otherwise.

Certainly there are a lot of people who would disagree, but I've yet to hear a christian amongst them.

How much misery has sin caused, before and since Jesus?

Could have been avoided by a -responsible- God.

Answer 1

They will and do blame the child everytime. They're looking for something to blame for all the 'sins' and such that occur in this world.

Answer 2

Orion - You ask questions that are beyond most christian's ability to answer. You will get the standard answers as I'm sure you already know.

I have not contemplated this yet as there is so much to contemplate and it competes with time against playing the Wii (Zelda is the bomb!)

At any rate, I can only answer from my limited spiritual experience.

I think what happened in the Garden of Eden as told in Genesis is a very basic account at best.

Moses is the writer and it is so far removed from that time all he has to work with are the oral traditions passed down from generation to generation.

It could possibly have been hundreds of thousands of years between the event in the garden and Moses writing it down.

So, I think we have a very quick summary. There could have very well been much more to the story then a naive couple milling about and then be duped into eating the forbidden fruit.

As you can see I don't always believe the bible is literal. I don't think the Jews even take the stories in the old testament literally that go way back. Only until you get to Moses' time do you have a more accurate picture of what's going on.

All of a sudden as I am writing this answer I believe that is a symbolic story of an ancient civilization started by YHWH that lost its way. It wanted to be like the gods, or God specifically.

I think the tree of good and evil knowledge is the choice between obedience and disobedience. It is not the tree itself literally, but symbolizes the choices we make between good and evil. With disobedience we learn of evil for the first time. Evil being disobedience. So the story talks of the first sin, the first time that our race sinned. Perhaps it is an allegory. Hmmm...

I think this one is for the blog!

Answer 3

WE ARE!! First of all, Adam and Eve were not children when they were told not to eat of the tree. The were fully developed people, who could think for themselves and make a wise decision, but they did not, and either do we. If a parent had left a bucket of gasoline and matches in the presence of a 5 year old, the parent would be held accountable, of course..The child would not be mature enough to make a right decision. God gives us choices- or we would be puppets on a string. HOWEVER, as I have shared many times, God did not leave us in our sin- He made a way for us to have a relationship with Him. It cost the life of the perfect Son of God- Jesus. Instead of going back to Adam and Eve, why don't we all, including me, start to take responsibility for our own sin, and realize that we all need a Savior.That is what I did.I am not pointing fingers here as some non-believers will say, I am just stating truth, that I had to listen to as well.

Answer 4

We are dependable for every different and - all of lifestyles on this global. We are the 'purpose and end result' of 1 an additional. It is the accountability of mankind as caretakers, to 'preserve the steadiness'. God sees and is aware of all. I consider He knew that mankind might no longer be equipped to preserve adversity at bay with out 'religion'. Faith is a 'option' and lots of have selected their possess approach on this lifestyles. We all understand lifestyles in exclusive approaches. This global can have been created ideal within the opening however, it's a long way from ideal now. Mankind isn't ideal both. Again, these types of matters are via the offerings we make. We prefer to grow to be who we're, well, unhealthy or detached. Peace and Blessings

Answer 5

Orion -

I have read your past postings...

You must have really been hurt bad by a Christian. For that, I am truly sorry...

But it is time to put away the outrageous hate, grow up, and do some healing. Faith bashing is not gonna help change your past hurts.

Besides, for a guy who hates Christians so bad - you really need to get real...if you want anyone to take you seriously.

The only one you are hurting is yourself.

I will seriously pray for you and your descendants...

Answer 6

Very good observations.

I never cared much for a literalist translation of the bible. I think the whole OT makes God look like a homocidal, egotistical maniac.

Answer 7

Jesus Christ came to live on Earth, suffered, and died for our sins.
It's been taken care of.
The "sins of the fathers" no longer applies.
The slate was wiped clean with Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection.

Answer 8

The one who commits the sin.

Answer 9

We are all responsible for our own actions.