Forums → WEPR → Define Sin

If you're basing it of off a religious text, then anything that goes against the commandments set forth within that text.

In the case of legality, there is no such thing as sin, only legal and illegal actions.

Agreed, but what defines which legal actions are illegal? I know that politicians and people vote on it, but what leads people to vote that something should be illegal. Anything that is illegal is wrong, and anything wrong is sin.

Not necessarily, jaywalking is a crime in many places, as is speeding. I have not heard of any religious texts that condemn it, have you?

First, laws can be made to further set their morals and ethics in stone. If something is completely wrong to them, they will vote and thus make it illegal. Second, there has to be a certain situation in life that requires the legislation to declare something illegal, when before it wasn't. An example would be in meth, the key ingredient is in cold medicine, aka sudifedrin. For Indiana, they will make it illegal to buy any cold medicine higher than the maximum amount.

Anything that is illegal is wrong, and anything wrong is sin.

that thing from final fantasy X


no but really apparently it's anything that religion deems "wrong" which is a lot of things that no one can do without like gluttony, pride, envy but then again if that's true then everyone's going to hell

Sin is a very bad word. Why? Because it's coming from religions. Something is a sin if your religion says that it's a sin...
I'd rather say what's moral and what's not. But as many have stated in my thread: You can say that moral is just subjective (although I don't think so).

My basis is the Bible.

M-W tells me sin is:

a : an offense against religious or moral law
b : an action that is or is felt to be highly reprehensible <it's a sin to waste food>
c : an often serious shortcoming : fault
2
a : transgression of the law of God
b : a vitiated state of human nature in which the self is estranged from God

The bible is NOT a good basis. Why? Because it allows slavery. It allows killing homosexual people although murder is a "sin". Many passages in the bible contradict each other. And it was written by some guys like 2000 years ago. They knew nothing about humanism, equality etc.

Those laws where changed by Jesus in the New Testament. Those are Old Testament Laws. That's why I don't rest on the sabbath and murder homosexuals or prostitutes. Slavery that was allowed in the Old Testament was voluntary, and you had the option on the 7th year to be freed with gift, or become a family servant.

Those laws where changed by Jesus in the New Testament.

Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:18-21).

Titus.2.9 Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,

Col.3.22 Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

Those laws where changed by Jesus in the New Testament.

So, we are potentially talking about a sin against nature, as well. To be short, I do not feel there is universal moral law. Therefore, sin is subjective. If it goes against yourself, it's a sin.

Those verses are in the New Testament, but they don;t prove anything. All they say is that slaves should be good slaves, not that there should be slaves. And suffering unjustly is not necessarily slavery.

"And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished. Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money."

"And if a man smite the eye of his servant, or the eye of his maid, that it perish; he shall let him go free for his eye's sake. And if he smite out his manservant's tooth, or his maidservant's tooth; he shall let him go free for his tooth's sake."

A sin is what people think is "wrong" due to their personal beliefs and actions. If a person is a christian, stealing, lying, murdering, and being a promiscuous person are all sins. If a person is a devil worshiper, I am not so sure there is such a thing as a sin. All things go. If you are a Hindu, you have your own personal idea of "right" and "wrong" and that personal idea is what you qualify as sin.

I agree. But, doesn't one have to be right. Two contradicting beliefs can't both be true. So who, or what, is the final deciding factor?

Two contradicting beliefs can't both be true. So who, or what, is the final deciding factor?