What is
Sin?
- There needs
to be an examination of the full context in which the evil was committed,
as well as a close look at the person's relationship with God. It is
necessary, to distinguish between evil and sin. Evil is an objective
reality, and sin isn't. There are actions that are always evil,
but no action is always sinful.
- Certain conditions
have to be met before an action can be judged sinful (#1865-1868). Human beings
are rational, meaning we make reasoned decisions before acting. Our lives
are full of ongoing decision-making, some of which is trivial and some deadly
serious. Some decisions will determine the lives we wish to live with God
and neighbor. Sins are by-products of the decisions we make.
- Sin is broken-down
relationships with God, with others, with ourselves, with creation itself
(#1850, 1869). Sin is destroyed possibility and missed opportunity. It
is the absence of something that is good.