“Sin” is not a word we use much anymore.
And it’s easy to understand why: embarrassing televangelists have turned it into a ridiculously pronounced cliche (can’t you just hear them pontificating about ‘see-in’?). Furthermore, in North America, the media and entertainment industries have mercilessly lampooned the word and anyone who dares to even whisper it.
So, call it what you want. Moral crimes, moral failings. I’m sure I could find more names for sin, but you get it.
Responding to the charge in this online ‘graphic’ (conveniently posted for me on an Atheism Internet community), I looked up the word. Here’s what I found:
Transgression of divine law: the sin of Adam.
Any act regarded as such a transgression, especially a willful or deliberate violation of some religious or moral principle.
Any reprehensible or regrettable action, behavior, lapse, etc.; great fault or offense: It’s a sin to waste time.
After reading these definitions, all I can do is think about the world we live in, then scratch my head in puzzlement. Epic greed (which directly caused the 2008-2011 recession), sickening entitlement (think about the salaries most professional athletes demand because they think they’re worth it) and lust for power (which have brought us the likes of Adolf Hitler) are just a few of what Dictionary.com calls “a willful or deliberate violation of some religious or moral principal”. You can probably suggest other examples.
So how is any of what I’ve described ‘imaginary’? The people who are still struggling because of the recession, the people who receive piddling salaries for doing important work (social workers come to mind) and the victims of someone’s lust for power (just consider the victims of Cambodia’s horrific Pol Pot regime) would surely tell you sin is as real as cancer, reality TV and government deficits.
And the ‘imaginary cure’? I have no trouble telling you there are many parts of the Christian Bible that I don’t fully comprehend. But that’s not what sticks with me. Instead, I think of the parts that are crystal clear:
- Love your enemies;
- Treat others as you would like to be treated;
- Deal with your shortcomings before pointing out the failures of others;
- Don’t be a hypocrite;
- Forgive and you will be forgiven;
- Put the needs of others ahead of your needs.
Am I crazy to write that these commandments, mostly given by Jesus of Nazareth (who many people believe is the Son of God) will go a long way to solving the moral crimes of humanity? I don’t think so.
That’s why I became a follower of Jesus. That’s why I treat His words seriously, even the parts that puzzle me. Jesus knows better than I do what’s wrong with this world and how it can be made right. I want to be part of that process. Do you? Yes or no, post your thoughts below and let’s have a conversation.
Frank's Cottage 
This world leaves me lost. God’s word gives hope. You’re words have given me such grace and hope. Thank you, my friend!
Thanks so much, Martha. It’s wonderful (and humbling) to have a faithful reader. 🙂
II Chronicles 7:14 – If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Notice that the promise to “heal their land” is made to God’s people; those who are called by His name. While the church in general bemoans the state of the world, we should be evaluating ourselves in light of Scripture. There is the key to change.
We are the be the salt, the body which reflects the shining light of God to the world. There is already one who holds the role of accuser.
When the church is viewed as a condemnatory, hypocritical entity which with glee informs others of their condemnation to hell, who would want to be a part of that?
No, a continual, internal housecleaning is in order to produce a body of believers which show the fruits of the Spirit; “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” –as you point out, the world is the greatest condemnation of itself, I encourage the body of believers to become the remedy for people to seek out.
Some great points here, Sophist. Thanks for contributing. 🙂
None of those parts of the ‘cure’ require a belief in either the bible or God.
I would also question the necessity of some of them:
1. Love your enemies (Why? I mean, ‘Don’t hate your enemies’ seems like a good way to stop perpetual violence and hatred. But love? Really?)
2. Treat others as you would like to be treated (What about masochists?)
3. Deal with your shortcomings before pointing out the failures of others (Why?)
4. Don’t be a hypocrite (Fair enough)
5. Forgive and you will be forgiven (Not convinced of this)
6. Put the needs of others ahead of your needs (If you like. Don’t see this as a moral imperative though).
Jimmy:
1. Jesus said love your enemies. That’s why.
2. It’s hardly a leap of logic to write that masochists need help.
3. So I don’t become any more arrogant and self-righteous than I already am.
4. So glad we can agree on something, Jimmy. 🙂
5. That’s not necessarily referring to people, Jimmy.
6. I do see it as a moral imperative, one I fail at regularly.
1. Jesus said love your enemies. That’s why.
Seems somewhat circular logic to me.
I say – ‘Why do we need the bible as a moral guide?’
You reply ‘Because it says good things like love your enemy.’
I say ‘Why is that a good thing?’
You say – ‘Because it’s in the bible’.
See why I have a problem with this?
2. It’s hardly a leap of logic to write that masochists need help.
Well, I’m going to disagree with you on that, but that’s a complete derail, so let’s agree to disagree.
My larger point was supposed to be that how one person wants to be treated doesn’t necessarily match how another person wants to be treated.
I get the sentiment, it just seems a bit pithy and simplistic.
3. So I don’t become any more arrogant and self-righteous than I already am.
Well, okay. I still don’t see any harm in pointing out someone’s error in an area you have mastered.
4. So glad we can agree on something, Jimmy. 🙂
Me too!
5. That’s not necessarily referring to people, Jimmy.
Ah, you mean the big man upstairs? Well, as is probably clear by now, I don’t believe he exists. 😉
6. I do see it as a moral imperative, one I fail at regularly.
Well, if one is to truly put others’ needs before one’s own, one must donate everything they own and earn to a charity and live as a pauper.
Again, I get the sentiment, but again, it’s too pithy and simplistic. And, while in general I think it’s a good way to live, I still don’t see it as a moral imperative.
Well, looks like we have lots of ground upon which we can agree to disagree, Jimmy. And I’m happy to leave it there, since there’s no way to reconcile the massive difference in our viewpoints. And thanks so, SO much for telling me I’ve mastered arrogance and self-righteousness. LOL!
This is excellent Frank! I often think I am crazy with my biblical mindset. It is sometimes a lonely way to go but I am relieved to hear I am not alone.