What does "original sin" mean to you?

Question

I don't understand what original sin is, where it is supposed to come from, and why it requires forgiveness through baptism.

I am not a believer but I respect your right to believe as you wish. I am just curious about what you think.

It makes no sense at all to me, and what I am looking for is a credible explanation from those who believe in it.

Answer 1

I see the story of original sin as an extended metaphor for the origins of consciousness in the breakdown of the bicameral mind. There is wisdom in Genesis but we must open our minds as well as our hearts to better appreciate its lessons.

Evolution and Genesis are not mutually exclusive. Each lends perspective to the other. While we cannot prove an exact model of the evolution of the universe that has led to, among other things, contemporary humankind, all observable evidence points to an initial singularity.

Human beings today are considerably different from our 'ancestors' physically, mentally, spiritually and psychologically. Early man responded to group audio hallucinations. At some point there was an evolutionary leap that awakened an individual consciousness in man -- the ego, if you will. This consciousness opened new horizons without which there would be no free will. Among the dangers of this consciousness, however, is the ability of individual men to see themselves as the center of all. The lure of this ability is awesome. The struggle of men to overcome the attraction of a self-centered life is the battle of our existence. This is the original sin, our turning away from the universal harmony. The work of our earthly lives is to return to oneness with the all.

Great to have you back with some questions I can sink my teeth into. Best always.

Answer 2

Original sin is a significant psychological concept. Sin is a learned ego belief that an error is unforgiveable. This is produced through shaming a child for a mistake.

As an adult on any spiritual path attempting a return/rebirth of the authentic Self (ego transcendence), each idea of sin has to be traced to the original experience/idea, before it can be contemplated in the light of reason and (self) forgiveness can occur. Jesus message about the rebirth/resurrection of the Christ Self requires the death of the learned ego identity, i.e. all its limited belief system.

Why? Because reality mirrors the contents of consciousness - whether subconscious or not. This is the only way to achieve a state of heaven in which reality synchronizes with the authentic Self you were born with.

"You live by faith," is literal. You only perceive what you believe to be true. Most belief exists below conscious awareness.

Answer 3

The Doctrine of Original Sin is based on the idea that Eve is responsible for allowing 'sin' to enter the world, because she ate the apple, and tempted Adam and so we are all doomed to death.

First of all, I believe that the story of Adam and Eve is more symbolic, than literal.

I also believe that the Doctrine of Original Sin has been used for thousands of years to control and demean women. The founder of organized Christianity, Rome, created the religion, not with spiritual intentions, but with political and financial intentions.

The intention was to control the people, for power and for money. The best way to control people is through their fear, and most people have a fear of death.

However, I believe that we need not fear death, for it is a part of the process of life, and was created this way. We only see it as negative, and the end, when in fact, it is positive, and a portal to the next life.

I like your question, and I believe that it is through asking questions, that we begin to move into spiritual development.

Answer 4

As a Jewish person, it has no meaning whatsoever. We do not have such a concept as Original Sin in Judaism, never have.

It is a twisted, incorrect misinterpretation by the Church, probably on purpose for reasons of controlling the Church's followers through fear. Teaching them that because of Original Sin, they are born with souls filthy as rags, worthless, and that they are unable to do anything about it unless they come to the Church and to Jesus to fix it.

This is pure nonsense to Judaism. We have never had any such concept, and that is not the original actual REAL meaning of the story in Genesis whatsoever.

Judaism believes that all people are born with clean, pure souls and it is what we do after we are born that determines whether or not we will be righteous people in this lifetime. Or or whether we will walk the path of selfishness instead, bringing blemishes to our soul. It is our responsibility.

"Original Sin" is a Christian invention, and has no bearing or relevance whatsoever to anyone but the Christian church leaders who know very well that their Church invented the whole idea to keep fear in the people, and thus keep money and power for the Church.

Answer 5

IMO "Original Sin" is a name that doesn't make sense. The word "Sin" didn't appear in the Bible until Cain (Adam & Eve's son) killed his brother.

I do believe in "Original Sin" in that it is like "Spiritual DNA". We can look to our gene's and chromosomes to see why we have the color of our skin, eyes, hair, height, and bunches of other physical traits. Some geneticists claim they have found a "God DNA" chromosome which indicates how spiritual we are. Yet, we cannot with our current technology separate the body and spirit while allowing us to measure and make scientific conclutions.

Anyways, God made us in his image (includes body, mind, and soul). We received "Eternal Life" by eatting a fruit (metaphoric fruit) in the Garden of Eden. Eve & Adam went against God's wishes and ate from the "Tree of knowledge of Good & Evil" Once this happened it changed thier spiritual DNA.

Baptism is like God going in and making repairs to our spirtual DNA which allows us to return to God after we're finished exploring good and evil. Baptism repairs us, but we can still choose to move away from God or we can choose to get closer to God after Baptism.

Answer 6

I do not believe in original sin, in any way, shape, or form. But, I do know that those who do believe in it, got the idea from the Garden of Eden story, with Adam and Eve! *sm*

Answer 7

Most people think that it is sex or prostitution, but before Adam & Eve sinned, Satan committed the original sin by influencing mankind (via Eve) or lying by saying that it is OK to disobey God and do what you like.

Answer 8

It is Adam and Eve's sin by which the whole world was sentenced to die according to God's commandment that if they eat from the forbidden tree, they would die.

They were then cast out of paradise and led a hard life with their children and children's children. they all inherited the original sin.

However what you need to know, is that God is both MERCIFUL and A JUST JUDGE.

In order to fulfill this criteria, everyone carries the sin that our Fathers have done, yet GOD planned for salvation by DYING as a human instead of them to redeem those who are under the judgement of death by his own death. So by Death, he conquered death.

On a side note, He only could have redeemed us because the original sin was against GOD . So the limited sinned against the unlimited. So the Unlimited God needed to take a body (JESUS CHRIST) to redeem us. so when he died and then Resurrected, he conquered the Physical Death and the Spiritual death.

I am sorry I wanted to just answer your question, but I has to explain other points to get the clear picture. Please email me if you still have more questions on this subject.

Answer 9

original sin is the sin of being born...it really makes no sense, for christians all men are sinners so when someone is born is "marked" with the original sin, the first sin: to be born

Answer 10

"original sin" is the seed of doubt. It does not have to do with Adam or Eve.
It is you doubting yourself, doubting your feelings, doubting that your are already one with God, equal with God. Doubt is the most powerful tool to use, becasue it brings fear. And with fear it is easy to manipulate people. That is what you call, "original sin."