If sin is an offense against Gad but you don't believe in God, is there such a thing as sin?
The obvious answer is no but human behavior runs the gamut from pranking someone to murder and murder runs the gamut from an individual crime of passion, to serial killing, to mass murder, to racial genocide..When behavior reaches such horrifying extremes words are needed to describe them beyond just calling them "bad" or "wrong." Evil is another very useful word when describing these extremes and it, too, has at least some connection with a religious origin since Satan is the Master of Evil, then evil behavior could be argued to be inspired by Satan but if you don't believe there's a Satan, can there be evil?
Yes because evil can and does exist beyond any religious framing while sin, being "an offense against God" can't. Regardless, it's also a perfect word to describe some of the outrages committed by humans. So it's just too useful to give up despite being 100% a religious word.
At any rate despite whatever religious connotations they may ave, I do and will continue to use "sin" and "evil" in standard discourse because there's just no limit to how inhuman human behavior can get and these are the most useful words we have to effectively describe it's most outrageous extremes.
I like the Terry Pratchett definition, "When you treat people as things".
I prefer to not allow religions to co-opt words that I find useful, and ascribe specialised meaning to them. Evil and sin, are useful; they require no deities or beliefs, shared or otherwise, to comunicate their meaning to others.
The 'Seven Deadly Sins' stand alone, without recognising their supposed origination with Thomas Equinas (?). Gluttony, for example, is sinful for its detrimental effects on a person, both physical & psychological; it has nothing to do with a deity or afterlife.
Contradicting myself ... Immorality is a word I mostly avoid, sadly; because it is so tightly intertwined with religiosity. I prefer to use unethicality or unethicalness, and judgement based on unethical behaviours. Ethics having a presumed (debatable) standard; one that is set higher than legality, professionalism, & scruples.
I haven't cared, when I was described as immoral. But, to be said to be unethical, inequitable, dishonourable, or 'evil', would definiting sting.
Ethical, respectworthy & honourable are better compliments, than moral. To have integrity is more valued, than to have 'good morals'.
Putting ice in a single malt whisky is a sin, period.
ha, why? It’s half water anyway, right?
@bbyrd009 Grrrrr! You have obviously never been taught how to drink a good whiskey. (You're a Yank so it`s understandable). Cold dulls the taste. This is why lager is so bland.
To drink a single malt properly, it should be at room temperature. You may add a little mineral water if you desire (also at room temp). After taking in the colour and aroma, the first sip should be slowly rolled around your pallet. As it warms, all the hidden flavours come to light like a good looking woman undressing before your eyes.
Both words are subjectively defined. The difference is "sin" is purely based in religious notions...."against God." Throw it out. It is useless to us. "Evil" means bad or with malice. That is a useful words that religionistas have conflated with sin and "the devil." But we have just as much right to appropriate it as they do. Evil is as valid ( again, subjectively defined) as heinous, malicious, psychopathic, vile, reprehensible, inhumane, unconscionable, detestable, etc.
Sin is simply "missing the mark." Paul said we all miss the mark and what he was comparing here was shooting arrows at a target. We "all sin" means that we try but we all "miss the mark." With so much talk about sin, what is a sin, and is this or that a sin, it has always made more sense to me to view it as Paul explained it. Keep in mind that I am also not a fan of St. Paul.
Sin is an immoral act considered to be a transgression of divine law. ... According to Augustine of Hippo (354–430) sin is "a word, deed, or desire in opposition to the eternal law of God," or as scripture states, "sin is the transgression of the law." [This pertaining to the laws for the nation of Israel prior to 2000 years ago, often referred to as laws of Moses]
Among some scholars, sin is understood mostly as legal infraction or contract violation of non-binding philosophical frameworks and perspectives of Christian ethics, and so salvation tends to be viewed in legal terms.
Have you "ran" a stop sign with out completely stopping? Then you have violated a law which by definition is a sin.
Sin can also be a wrong committed even if there is not a specific government law. Committing an illogical fallacy can be construded as a sin.
I will not harm others physically except in dire self defense.
I will not steal fom others.
I will not lie for self benefit or to try to cover up a mistake or slack on my part.
Half of the Big Xtian 10 are offenses against an imaginay thing which is absolute bullsht.
To me, sin is just a religious word to control and punish and induce fear in people. It's simply a matter of right and wrong. Morality or immorality. Evil or good.
Something can be evil, wrong or criminal without being a sin
Sin connotes something specifically forbidden by or against the religious or spiritual.
Eg. The ultimate sin is Blasphemy and there is no such thing as blasphemy to an atheist, likewise there is no "sin"