2007-09-11 03:32:41 · 29 answers · asked by Richard 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm seeing a lot of championing of moral relativism in the answers. It's incredible that people still have those kinds of nonsensical and horrible views.
2007-09-11 03:49:14 · update #1
I am not atheist but would like to answer.
When people take advantage of others and it is not possible to punish them legally.........then those helpless people know that those who harmed them will be punished by God.
That is why there is Heaven and Hell created,because God knows that all sins cannot be punished by law.
2007-09-11 03:49:22 · answer #1 · answered by Amina L 1 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I have a problem with the concept of sin, as many things that are really wrong are not considered sins, and things that are not wrong are.
For instance, many, possibly most, religious freaks believe that, shall we say, self-love, is a sin.
This view is sick, disgusting, and seriously harmful.
So, no, that particular "sin" should not be punished -- why should it?
Things that are actually wrong (rape, murder, theft -- actually wrong things) should be stopped where possible, and the person responsible prevented from doing it again.
This process includes punishment (though I think preventing future wrongs is more important than revenge on the criminal, which is what punishment is).
Unfortunately, in the real world (as opposed to religious fantasies), not all wrongs are stopped or the people stopped from repeat crimes.
The concept of sin, which is completely arbitrary and has nothing to do with good and harm or right and wrong, is a misguided notion.
No, no one should be punished for doing something simply because some people's imaginary friend thinks it's bad.
For example, what punishment do you think should be meted out to people who watch sports on the day they are supposed to keep holy?
Stoning to death?
And you think you're MORE moral than I?
2007-09-11 11:59:41 · answer #2 · answered by tehabwa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, because, as previous posters have pointed out, sin is a religious concept. There were crimes defined before the ten commandments were written (in, for example, the Code of Hammurabi) and some of those were incorporated into the ten commandments and remain crimes to this day (such as murder). These should be punished by the police and courts.
Furthermore, I would argue that sins do go unpunished. Christians believe punishment will come in the afterlife. Since there is no afterlife, there is no punishment for religious sins.
2007-09-11 10:35:22 · answer #3 · answered by Dave P 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
An atheist would say that a sin is a function of God's existence. As such, in the absence of a God, a sin has no meaning. Which means, there are no sins. So, no need for punishment.
This being said, many atheists are ethical people and would agree that unethical behavior should be punished.
2007-09-11 10:36:54 · answer #4 · answered by largegrasseatingmonster 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
There is no such thing as a sin. Bad acts should be punished though. Nobody is saying that improper behavior should go unpunished. We're saying that Hell is so far over the line in terms of punishment that a God who allows people to go there is evil.
2007-09-11 10:41:24 · answer #5 · answered by Meat Bot 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Sins are a philosophical view of certain behaviors, according to some religions, masturbation is a sin. In that context I don't care. On the other had criminal behavior, the breaking of laws, should be punished in the appropriate manner. Terrorism, murder, rape, pedophilia, treason, should all earn the death penalty. Other crimes against society should also be punished harshly. Drunk driving should result in the permanent, lifetime loss of driving privilege. Does that suprise you coming from a skeptic.
2007-09-11 10:43:29 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
All social animals punish group members for acts that are deceitful or injurious to others.
So "sins" involving injurious or deceitful acts are punished in all cultures and human social groups as well, not just Christian groups.
As far as other Christian "sins" go, it is a good thing we do not punish people for working on the sabbath (emergency room personnel, police, football players, etc.), we do not punish people for worshipping only the one true god, we do not punish people for failing to respect their parents (not all parents deserve it) we do not punish people who covet others possessions (that would be the end of a capitalist economic system).
2007-09-11 10:41:53 · answer #7 · answered by Dendronbat Crocoduck 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In addition to seeing moral relativism, you are seeing MANY people point out the obvious fallacy of your argument. Care to address them?
2007-09-11 11:34:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is sin?
There are actions that harm society either as individuals, groups or a whole and these should be deterred or punished.
But if you're talking about the morality that you embrace, then no. No group or religion should ever seek to legislate their morality on others.
2007-09-11 10:38:06 · answer #9 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
The term "sin" is a religious construct. There is a non-spiritual equivalent called "crime". Many crimes go unpunished, but the criminal justice system works pretty well for the most part.
2007-09-11 10:40:08 · answer #10 · answered by Peter D 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
"Sin" is a religious concept.
Let me put it this way.
If someone steal someone's property, we can enforce the law and punish them. It's a sin to the religious, but it's a crime to the secular.
But some things that are "sins" hurt no one. We don't punish people who work on the Sabbath for example.
2007-09-11 10:38:06 · answer #11 · answered by Robin W 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋