When people talk about 'sin' I draw a blank.

What is it really?

I think it is a term used by Religions and has no meaning whatsoever outside of a religious context.

I feel the same way

The only other reference there is to 'sin'
is in songs about how "it's a sin the way you left me babay". lol

Outside of spirituality it has no meaning. Sin is disobedience to God. Sin is the desire to be disobedient, that is why some things are sin"ful". They are full of disobedience. That is why forgiveness is offered for our disobedience when one looks back and see their error and chooses to take a different path wishing to be forgiven of their previous mistakes they had made.

Posting that question is a "sin" of intelligence.

It is a religious term, not spiritual.

In dogmatic religions "sin" is simply disobedience of what the dogma demands.

I agree with Ladylid that in terms of spirituality the time 'sin' doesn't even apply. Unless it is used loosely as an abstract concept define below:

As an abstract concept, "sin" can be thought of as anything a person deems to be unethical, immoral, or basically harmful.

I could be considered to be a "sin" to eat a chocolate bar whilst on a diet because that is "harmful" to the purpose of the diet.

Using the term 'sin' in this loosely abstract way, we might also say that a "sin" could simply be to do something that you really don't want to do. Going against your own moral values and higher purpose for the sake of giving into some instant gratification.

That could be considered to be a 'sin' against your higher purpose, because it is harmful to your higher purpose.

You want your lawn mowed, but instead of getting off your butt and mowing the lawn, you sit on your butt typing into religion forums.

That's a sin.

Well, it's only a sin if your higher purpose is to mow the lawn.

The only sins I commits are sins against myself.

Being lazy and slothful.
Over eating of junk food.
Spending too much time on mingle2

Well, then those are your only sins and the only person you need to seek forgiveness from is yourself.

Obviously, if you're sins included offensive or harmful actions that adversely affect other people then you'd have to seek their forgiveness too.

But since your sins are solely sins of the self, you have no need to seek forgiveness from anyone beyond yourself. And if you forgive yourself then your sins are washed away.

However, keep in mind that the karma of the junk food lingers on.

Religions are beliefs of our spirituality. So in turn spiritual things are religious.

No, I think its more the other way around.

Religion is the main, broad category. If someone doesn't subscribe to a specific belief say for instance, Christianity, Hinduism, ect but still has a belief in the spiritual side. That belief in the spiritual side is their religion. Religion goes from belief in spirits, to specific "organised beliefs". To individual beliefs that differ from anyone and everyone. Someone's belief in spirits is their religion.

Not in the literal sense. A religion is an organized group with specific defined beliefs and similar rituals. A personal belief system is not 'a religion.'

Spirituality exists as the main, broad category. If people did not have some feeling of spirituality, they would not join or get involved in any organized group religious teachings and doctrines.

So you have it backwards.

Yes very good explanation. But someone's spiritual belief is their religion.

Religion - A personal set or institutionalised of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices.

A personal set of beliefs are included in religion, not just a group and or organised beliefs.

I wish the Federal government would agree with you on that then I could easily be a tax exempt organization and anything I did that had anything to do with my religion or worship of the flying spaghetti monster, like wearing a pirate costume to school or to court or anywhere, could not be interfered with.

Sin is transgresing the word or law of God 1john3:4-8,so there no big sin or small sin,all r equal

so if i steal an apple from your fruit basket,
i receive the same judgment and punishment as one
who kidnaps, rapes, tortures and kills a child?

Religion is a way of trying to set themselves apart from the beasts.

Therefore, anything that appeals to your more bestial instincts, sex, murder, theft, whatever is considered sinful.

There is only one punishment or reward. We aren't punished on a daily basis or rewarded on a daily basis. There is one judgement. If you steal an apple you have a life time to seek forgiveness of that sin and or any other one may accumulate in their life time. Only problem with this, is no one knows exactly how long of a life their life will be. I for one know that really well. And thank God every day that I'm still alive.

Not true to that extent. Sex itself is not sinful. Sex with multiple partners is what is sinful. And no one is setting anything or anyone apart from anyone or anything else. We are all sinful we all fall short of the glory of God. "Christian" is a title people that lack the faith thereof gave us to segregate us, to separate us from the rest of the population because of our beliefs. If you wish to call me/us a Christian, a follower of Jesus, or any other title you could come up with, wouldn't make a difference. We follow the word of God, the title that follows is mute. Again, we are no better then you, we are no great then you, we are no different then you other then we have chosen to follow the Lord's commands, at least best we can.

I agree. The term 'sin' is mostly used in religious circles who believe in a God and Gods laws.

Those who do not recognize a God or Gods laws would have no use for such a concept as it is reference to breaking Gods laws, technically.


Realistically, it is semantically the same as 'wrongdoing', or 'immorality' or doing/saying something 'bad'. except who is perceived as having authority to determine such things varies from person to person.


,,the english language and semantics is always interesting, but we generally are pretty clear on what is meant even if we use different terminology to refer to it.