In Reply to: Am I a sinner? posted by porceleindoll on April 10, 2004 at 03:23:52:
I suppose that if you reject a specific Church or faith and their definition of sin, you could go to the dictionary. Here's what I found:
sin1 ( P ) Pronunciation Key (sn)
n.
1. A transgression of a religious or moral law, especially when deliberate.
Theology.
2. Deliberate disobedience to the known will of God.
3. A condition of estrangement from God resulting from such disobedience.
4. Something regarded as being shameful, deplorable, or utterly wrong.
intr.v. sinned, sin·ning, sins
1. To violate a religious or moral law.
2. To commit an offense or violation.
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It is interesting that most of those definitions have to do with variations of the word "deliberate".
You make a good point in that in different societies an act may be considered sinful or not.
When we are a member of a society, we have an obligation to conform to that societies moral code, or get out. If we try to buck the system, then we face the ill will of the society in which we belong.
Apparently, you could not conform to the moral code of The Family, and you left. Now you are a member of a different society.
I guess to answer your question, I'd have to know if you conform to the moral code of the society that you now exist, or do you deliberately do things that are shameful and deplorable?
It is kind of difficult to use a religious word in a non-religious context. But, that's my take on the thing.
My guess is that a hard core Christian would tell you that if you reject Jesus Christ, then you are sinful. But, that is according to they society that they belong. Other societies would tell the Christian that they are sinful for following Jesus, who they consider a false prophet.
Rather than conforming to the society you belong to, the only other thing I can think of to avoid being "sinful" would be to move into a cabin up in the mountains all alone and start your own society. I just wouldn't recommend doing that in the U.S., if you know what I mean.