What is sin?
By MsTickle
@MsTickle (25180)
Australia
December 9, 2007 1:04am CST
Do you believe in sin? What is your definition of it? Is it the difference between right and wrong? Is it when you break the law? Perhaps it's if you disobey the Commandments?
When I was an impressionable teen, I'd often hear my peers say that if you don't believe something is wrong then it's not a sin. I think this is a cop-out.
Just opinions please. No bible bashing, or unkindness here.
9 people like this
27 responses
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
9 Dec 07
I will contribute a little here,friend, but I am by no means the expert on sin, or not sinning. First, there is the reverse of your friends' cop-outs. If you feel something is wrong,(have a conviction against it) and do it anyway it is definitely sin for you to do it. But wait, there is more, as the TV sales folks say! It is also sin if you know that there is a rule, or principle against it, and you choose to do it anyway, because it does not "feel wrong" to you, because if we want something badly enough, we can rationalize it, so that it does not feel wrong, even when it is. One more category I would share with you, and remind myself of: If we know something is right, and should be done, and we do not do it, it is a sin. I know I should love my neighbor, but if I choose to be unloving to him, or indifferent to him, I am choosing to sin. Very simply, I was taught that sinning is separating myself from the will of God in my life. Hope I have been kind, and not offended anyone,just my opinion here.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
4 Jan 08
I think we have all done a pretty good job of not jumping on people in this discussion, as far as I have looked. About that mean, dirty, nasty, obnoxious neighbor. I should not condone the wrong he does, and if he breaks a law or two, I should make sure that he is called to account for it. I should not hate him, though, as that would be sin.Not to report the neighbor would be a sin of omission, to seek retribution and be judge and jury myself and to kill the so and so would be a sin of commission. Not to care at all to say "It is none of my business" would be a sin of indifference. There are lots of ways to make wrong and right choices.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
4 Jan 08
What about if your neighbour is an obnoxious, nasty person who is cruel to animals anbd tells lies?
I'm sure no-one could be offended by this GG, I tried to be careful with my post because answers were sure to be somewhat personal. Anyone should be able to state what they think or believe without being jumped on.
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@tiffiny (872)
• United States
9 Dec 07
Sin is doing something that you know would make God go oh my you didn't. It's easier to cop out of it than to own up to it. But definately the commandments and anything that is in the Bible that God has said you shoudn't do that. Then its a sin. Anything that violates your ideas of what standards you hold yourself to would be a personal sin too.
4 people like this
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
9 Dec 07
There's that old "you have the freedom to throw a punch, right up until it hits my face" sort of mentality. Actually, I feel that it should be "until I feel threatened" would be more to the point.
Sin is rather like that. I know that psycopaths don't believe killing people is really wrong, they hide it because they don't want to get caught, because they understand that other people think its wrong and will stop them. That shoots down the "if you don't believe something is wrong then its not a sin" arguement doesn't it....
On the other hand, getting angry isn't a sin either, you can be justifiably angry - at someone hurting another person for example. Even killing, like in self defense, may not be a sin. The actual translation of the Commandment is "Tho shalt not commit murder" rather than just "kill."
However, even thinking about it can be considered sin, if you dwell on it, nurse it, plot it, even if you never do it. I do believe you can sin in your heart.
A flash of anger then remose is one thing, you aren't giving it a home, like if you hold it in like a grudge.
Now, I've said that I hold grudges, but I'm incapable of really focusing on more than one or two things at a time. But I have known people that can be doing something reasonably enjoyable and complaining about some old grudge at the same time.
A sin can be more than just doing something wrong, it can be the harboring, nurturing a wrong in the heart.
3 people like this
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
4 Jan 08
Well, don't bet on them either. The more saintly you are, the more harshly you judge yourself.
I believe I heard Mother Theresa once quoted that she had to confess that she sometimes didn't have enough charity in her heart. Just because she didn't show it, never acted like it, didn't mean that she didn't feel that she could be more pure.
From what I've read, the hardest judges on saints are themselves. In this venial world, some one that did as much as she did are looked at with wonder.
You are right about everyone having some sin about them. You pick the correct reference to point out the 2 facedness of the men that brought the woman to Jesus. The only one in that crowd that was without sin was Jesus, and he obviously chose forgiveness over condemnation.
1 person likes this
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
9 Dec 07
When the spaceshuttle went to the moon the astronauts realised a valuable lesson. There is no such thing as Up, or Down! by the same token there is no, In or Out. All these things are relevent!
"There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." -William Shakespeare.
Perhaps this is a "cop-out" but I don't believe in sin. I do believe, however, in living a law-abiding life. Sin is a Horse of a different colour!
@irene_27 (542)
• Philippines
9 Dec 07
For me "sin" is simply an action going against what God has commanded us to do and these were all summed-up in the Ten Commandments. It is something committed through our mind, our words and our actions. They are something that when done supposedly alienates or separates us from others and most especially from God.
3 people like this
@Mike227 (155)
• Australia
9 Dec 07
Hi MsTickle,
"Sin"... Who's to say?
Killing for example: If you kill someone you probably have to go to jail. But if you "kill for your country" all of a sudden it is "O.K." but only if you "win" the war.
I wonder who made up these rules, maybe rules like these are responsible for the confusion around us...
Of course the same kind of reasoning could apply to any given aspect of "sinning".
Lao Tzu writes:
2
"When people see things as beautiful,
other things become ugly.
When people see things as good,
other things become bad.
Being and non-being create each other,
difficult and easy support each other.
Long and short define each other.
High and low depend on each other.
Before and after follow each other..."
Lao Tzu
I think what is more important than the believe behind an action is thhe INTENSION.
If the intention is good, anything could be excused.
However, even intentional bad actions could be excused, because it could be possible that no one of us ASKED to be born.
If we did ask to be born, than we would need to go to our parents, if they asked.
You will have to go right back to the beginning to ask any possible God, if he/she asked for his/her existence.
Have a great life,
Mike
3 people like this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
9 Dec 07
Being a person of no religious belief, sin is just a word to me it means nothing more, it has no meaning, worry, it's just like any other word. Everyone sins even the most religious of people it's very difficult not to and if you did believe in sin and couldn't sin what a boring life you'd leave and for what? A vacant promise of riches beyond this earth? Then you would be gambling on the fact that you will get to heaven, and isn't that a form of gambling, and gambling is a sin! Nope I live my life the way I want to and the only time I would use the word sin is if it came up in the daily crossword I do each morning!
2 people like this
@RebeccaLynn (2256)
• United States
9 Dec 07
I believe that going against your own conscience is sin. When you know that something is wrong in your heart and you do it or say it or allow it to happen anyway, that, to me is sin.
2 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
4 Jan 08
It really is that simple isn't it. I just see lots of grey areas. My days are filled with thoughts of what I should be doing but I cannot find the motivation or the energy. When I constantly do the 'wrong' thing, like being on the computer instead of doing chores, I feel so guilty. When I eat the wrong thing and don't do enough exercise I feel guilty. When I live as a recluse and avoid the company of others I feel guilty. But this is who I am. What am i supposed to do?
@magilives (261)
• Australia
10 Dec 07
I believe that sin is whatever you believe to be wrong and what you have been raised to believe is wrong. It has nothin g to do with religion. Terrorist groups usually stem from religious groups and they believe it is ok to kill people but the rest of the world believes that killing is a sin.
1 person likes this
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
9 Dec 07
I dont believe in "sin" at all actually...To me there is no such thing as a "sin"...There are ppl who are just messed up beyond any repair, there are ppl who are seriously demented, sick, twisted and henious BUT they arent "sinners" and their actions no matter how sick and vile arent "sins"....
2 people like this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
10 Dec 07
There is some truth to " if you don't believe it is wrong then it's not a sin".To others it is a sin but not to you. Example, if you don't think lying is a sin, it isn't to you but it is a sin to others.I prefer right and wrong. They are universal, Sin has a religious tone to it and it excludes the atheists.There are right and wrong things.Most of them we all, religious and non religious can agree on. Like murder and stealing are wrong. And love and respect is right.But there are other s that depends on your beliefs.Like adultry. If a couple have a open marriage then adultry wouldn't be wrong.But if the couple was devote Christians, adultry would be wrong.So I do believe in sin but the definition depends on the person.
1 person likes this
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
9 Dec 07
Hello Ms Tickle, yes i certainly do believe in sin.I think that if you read the ten commandments it covers all sins, that is considered sins.I have went through each commandment and i feel that if a person will obey them then they would do good.To me sin is something you do that you know is wrong but you do it anyway,and if so that is a sin.Whoever told you that if you do not believe it is a sin then go ahead and do it, they were wrong.Some people justify their sins by saying oh well they did so and so to me, but that does not give you the right to take things into your own hands..I think you are right it is a cop out.Anyway i think a person with a keen insight knows when something is wrong,and they will not do it,and if they do they feel bad.Anyway back to the ten commandments it covers all kinds of sins and that is what i put my faith in..If i do make a mistake i ask God to forgive me, we are all human and we do make mistakes but we have an advocate with the father through Jesus Christ, and if we ask for forgiveness he will readily forgive.
2 people like this
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
10 Dec 07
Hi Ms Tickle! Sin is when you do something wrong to others and disobeying the Commandments of God. I used to hear the same thing with a few people I know that when you believe it is not wrong, then it is not a sin. However, I really don't believe in that because somehow we sometimes unconsciously like to do something that is sometimes wrong and somehow we try to justify it and thereby, we usually console ourselves that it is alright and it is not a sin but our conscience say otherwise. Anyway, I am no expert nor am I a saint..all I know is that I am not perfect and always commit sin one way or the other. I try my very best to do good unto others but sometimes i fall short of doing this because of my sometimes sensitive and selfish ways. I just however, rely on God to understand and forgive me each wrongdoing I made intentionally or unintentionally. Just my thoughts my friend. take care and have a nice day. :)
@season0907 (671)
• India
9 Dec 07
Hi MsTickle,
In my opinion sin is not a thing that we do wrong to others. That is crime.
Sin is one thing that we will be doing to ourself. The following are called as sin in my opinion.
1) Cheating our own parents and family members.
2) Not respecting elders not only in our family, but also outside world.
3) Developing bad habits even though when we know they are bad.
4) Misunderstanding and criticising others.
5) Last but not least is that not helping others when they really require your help.
You can comment on my opinion.
Good Luck.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
3 Jan 08
I think I understand what yhou are saying but I can't help vnut point out a couple of contradictions....but then again, I might not be comprehending your thoughts...please clarify if I'm incorrect.
To quote you:
"...sin is not a thing that we do wrong to others. That is crime. Sin is one thing that we will be doing to ourself."
Then you go on to list what you consider a sin/s. The first one is cheating family memebers...isn't this a sin against others and therefore fits your definition of a crime? Same goes for (2)disrespecting the elderly,,,that's against someone else but I don't see it as a crime...I'm sorry.
Now (3) I totally agree...that's a sin. But then I think...isn't that just a personal weakness? Surely not a SIN?
Now comes (4) Totally not a sin. If we misunderstand something that's not our fault and criticism is another weakness....(5) Again I have to disagree. There are too many variables for this kind of situation.To me it implies that I be prepared to give all I have and for me to have nothing and to rely on God or nature to provide for me. This sort of thing belongs between the covers of a fantasy novel.
To me sin is whatever your conscious tells you it is a sin...like violence against someone wether it be verbal or physical or mental violence, this is a huge sin.
These sorts of actions are what you call crimes. Do you see where I'm coming from? Can you see the diference between human weakness Vs a choice made between doing good or doing evil?
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
8 Jan 08
Oh this is complicated...
I think a sin is something that you do that will hurt you or another person yet you knowingly do it anyway for whatever reason. (animals included)
I think if you do something that you know will cause damage in some form or fashion - it's a sin.
Not when you do something and didn't know that would be the outcome...
Does that make any sense the way I'm wording it?
I don't think necessarily breaking the law is a sin - wrong but not a sin.
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
14 Jan 08
Yes and no. Why? Because you know it's wrong to drink and drive. And by drinking you took on the responsibility of knowing your mind will be altered. Now you may not have meant to hit/hurt/kill anyone but essentially by taking the mind altering substance you took responsibility for anything you do after.
Like mylak (sp?) said...it's not that I believe in 'sin' per say...it's more of a code. And I do believe this scenario breaks that code. BECAUSE you chose to alter you perception of things. AND there were other ways around getting that errand done (not driving and calling a cab or a friend for instance).
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
14 Jan 08
If you are asking me if they're going to go to hell because of it then my answer is no. Because the only hell I believe in is the one of which we're living.
{This is where things get even more complicated though (in my beliefs). Because whereas I do not believe in hell I do believe that there are 'dark' entities/souls and a place that they very temporarily 'reside' before being thrown back into life again - that is until they're either absorbed back into humm...the Other Side (not exactly but I just don't have the right words for it at the moment) or embraces God again.}
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
10 Dec 07
I think sin is more of a state of mind or attitude than actual behavior. Any thought, belief or action that interferes with our relationship with God can be a "sin". I also believe there are no "levels" of sin, i.e, that murder, for instance, is worse than cursing. I think anything, no matter how small, that interrupts that spiritual relationship is equally bad.
That may be what some people mean by saying if you don't believe it is wrong, then it isn't a sin. The Apostle Paul discussed this in Romans, chapter 14. It can be used as a cop-out or a justification for our actions, though.
1 person likes this
@I_LUV_U (2519)
• India
4 Jan 08
Hello MsTickle,
Good question, I had not seriously thought of this word 'sin' up till reading your discussion.
Maybe because I have never felt like I have sinned.
To answer your question, I think sin is any unconscionable act that makes you feel incorrigibly guilty.
When you commit an act of sin and realise it later on, you cannot help but feeling guilty for all your life.
Sinning is a crime intentionally and unreasonably committed.
for examples:
* when you mercilessly murder a person without strong reasons,
* when you rape a woman,
* when you stone a sleeping street dog to clear your way,
* when you slap your child on his face for not getting good scores at school,
* when you deny a piece of bread to a hungry beggar, when he came to you while you have your meal
it is called a sin and you are sinning.
In other words, A sin is wrong doing by higher degrees, intentionally committed.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
5 Jan 08
What about stealing? Or being uncharitable, or thinking badly about others? What about being lazy, impure thoughts or being greedy or eating too much or envying what others have?
I've never met anyone who could admit that they never felt like they have sinned. Congratulations on your perfectionism and purity of heart, soul and mind.
@I_LUV_U (2519)
• India
5 Jan 08
Of course, they all come under sins as well. Likewise, there are zillions of examples, I will have quoted all of them, had I all the time in the universe and provided myLot pays proportionally to the efforts put.
However, I would not include "eating too much" to that list, I do eat too much once in a while in order to get rid of mild depressions, instead of buying anti-depressants.
@luluwow (165)
• United States
11 Jan 08
The very word "sin" is basically a christian word used to to portray disobedience to God. It becomes a judgement and punishment issue. Since I do not believe that God is a person, a judge or a punisher, or in monotheism, I can not believe in the principle of sin. I believe we are all personally responsible for our choices and decisions and the natural consiquence that arises from such.
