What is Sin to a Person Who Never read the Bible?

[Soyeong]

Saying one thing then doing another is actually
called hypocrisy.

Anyway I was asking about the clear
and obvious difference between what God says
is how people should perform, and what he himself does.

I'm asking how to reconcile those

There are things that God has the authority to do that man does not, though does not act contrary to what He instructs His people to do.

 

[Estrid]

Greatest commandment to love God w/ all your heart, soul, & mind. Anything against that is rebellion to him & denying who he is & that is is sin. It is most important (the greatest commandment). Unbelievers are denying & rejecting God by definition, so by definition they are breaking that. Love your neighbor as yourself is only 2nd to that. Notice also it is love your neighbor as yourself. It is not do unto others as you would do unto you. That 'golden rule' by itself doesn't even really make sense b/c sometimes you do bad things to yourself & you like it sometimes.

I asked about how it is you can claim
in good conscience to know how "most"
atheists think?
Do you have an answer?
You cannot just make up definitions
and expect that to be satisfactoty.

If there were such a definition, then it would
apply to all, not "most".

I think you've just spoken carelessly and
on reflection you will see your " most"
actually makes no sense.

The belittling aspect, well, check your
" do unto" for that one.


As for " love thy neighbours as thyself"

Is that just a feeling only inside yourself,
Or is it something that must be put into action
for it to mean anything?

 

[Estrid]

There are things that God has the authority to do that man does not, though does not act contrary to what He instructs His people to do.

'Is authorized to' is passive voice.
Do you mean "god authorizes himself"


So how is that not "do not act according to my
nature and example, but according to my commands"

 

[com7fy8]

I wonder what my non-Christian parents regarded as sin, if anything. And some so-called Christians have terrible tempers and don't regard that as sin. It confuses me.

Ok . . . so, it does not matter what non-Christians think. God knows what is sin and what isn't, and He is the Judge.

Plus - - in case someone claims to be a Christian but has a bad temper, that person does not decide.

It is good that you realize that bad temper is anti- Christian. Be appreciative that you know it is wrong, and make sure you are kind-tempered and do not let wrong people be an excuse for you to accept things that are wrong.

And know that always there are going to be excuses for us to not admit that a wrong thing is a sin.

 

[com7fy8]

Unforgiveness is a major problem, even if people don't know it is evil. They can keep suffering deeply, because of the weakness and degradation which stays with unforgiveness.

Worry us cruel . . . a pathological lier and abuser; but people sin against themselves by even trusting what their worry tells them.

So, I'll bet your mother sinned.

 

[Estrid]

Ok . . . so, it does not matter what non-Christians think. God knows what is sin and what isn't, and He is the Judge.

Plus - - in case someone claims to be a Christian but has a bad temper, that person does not decide.

It is good that you realize that bad temper is anti- Christian. Be appreciative that you know it is wrong, and make sure you are kind-tempered and do not let wrong people be an excuse for you to accept things that are wrong.

And know that always there are going to be excuses for us to not admit that a wrong thing is a sin.

So youd say that only Christians have valid
thoughts and Christians should avoid hearing
anything of nonchristian perspective on Christian teachings?

 

[Soyeong]

'Is authorized to' is passive voice.
Do you mean "god authorizes himself"


So how is that not "do not act according to my
nature and example, but according to my commands"

For example, God has the authority to judge whether a person is saved while we do not, which is not hypocrisy.

 

[Estrid]

For example, God has the authority to judge whether a person is saved while we do not, which is not hypocrisy.

Ok, but that really doesn't count as no person
has the capacity to do such a thing.

What about acts of god that would be illegal /sinful/
immoral if people did them?

 

[Soyeong]

Ok, but that really doesn't count as no person
has the capacity to do such a thing.

What about acts of god that would be illegal /sinful/
immoral if people did them?

There are none.

 

[Estrid]

There are none.

In the story if not in fact, there's quite a few.
Punishing people for anncestors'
mistakes- drowning millions of
Innocent animals- torturing someone to win a bet - killing someone for looking back- sending helper to kill children-
there's quite a list on the story.

The accounts are there.

If there is a way to reconcile all this
I would sincerely like to know.

 

[dlamberth]

For example, God has the authority to judge whether a person is saved while we do not, which is not hypocrisy.

I don't know about that. Being infinite Love as God is and at the same time being Judgemental just doesn't work very well.

 

[Larniavc]

I tried to tell my late Mother that Jesus died to save us from our sins. She said, "I don't sin." She had had a Bible, an old one with sepia toned pictures, for as long as I could remember. Her Bible had names and birthdates of grandparents in it. Towards the end of her life she she didn't know what had happened to her Bible.

I don't believe metaphysical sin exist so I pay it no mind.

 

[Larniavc]

I grew up in America. The Bible wasn't taught in schools. Where could people learn it? /

Church?

 

[Soyeong]

I don't know about that. Being infinite Love as God is and at the same time being Judgemental just doesn't work very well.

Do you think that a world without justice is more loving that a word with justice?

 

[Larniavc]

There are none.

Killing all the people on Earth in the Flood was. Unless it's okay when God does it but not people (which I think may be connected to Estrid's point- but I don't want to speak for her).

 

[Larniavc]

Do you think that a world without justice is more loving that a word with justice?

Without God's version of justice? Yes. Very much so.

 

[Estrid]

Without God's version of justice? Yes. Very much

Justice delayed is justice denied- so they say.

 

[Rescued One]

Ok . . . so, it does not matter what non-Christians think. God knows what is sin and what isn't, and He is the Judge.

Plus - - in case someone claims to be a Christian but has a bad temper, that person does not decide.

It is good that you realize that bad temper is anti- Christian. Be appreciative that you know it is wrong, and make sure you are kind-tempered and do not let wrong people be an excuse for you to accept things that are wrong.

And know that always there are going to be excuses for us to not admit that a wrong thing is a sin.

Being curious doesn't equal judging.

 

[HTacianas]

Do all people have a conscience: so we live in a wicked world and people actually know they are wicked or do they think that is only another person's opinion?

I'm sure that a lot of people think that right and wrong are simply people's opinions. To a certain extent it probably is. But if you read the old testament closely and look for "sinners", you'll get a sense of those whom God despises. Such things as "their feet are quick to shed blood". They were people we would think of as Old West bandits. People who kill and rob and steal. I'm sure they know what they are doing is wrong but they are so selfish and self-centered, having no concern at all for others, that they do it anyway. That is the kind of behavior that Christianity is meant to stop. Or at least slow down. When Christianity comes preaching "repent", some of the things to be repented of are found in the Revelation:

Rev 9:20 But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk.

Rev 9:21 And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

 

[dlamberth]

Do you think that a world without justice is more loving that a word with justice?

Where the problem lies is in putting images and beliefs of God on to earthly kinds of actions where we punish.
I see that as making God into the image of man.
A world with Love though has a way of changing the whole earthly need for that kind of "justice".
So your question for me is without meaning.