Does sinful behavior punish itself?

[Autumnleaf]

From stealing to adultery sin seems to catch up with the people who do it. Is sin its own punishment?

 

[OphidiaPhile]

From stealing to adultery sin seems to catch up with the people who do it. Is sin its own punishment?

So you are an advocate for the idea of Karma I take it.


I guess it would depend on what constitutes a sin in each persons eyes. I know many things I do would be considered a sin to some but are not to me so the answer would be no as it pertains to my life.

 

[cantata]

Clearly not.

 

[quatona]

From stealing to adultery sin seems to catch up with the people who do it. Is sin its own punishment?

Every action comes with consequences. "Consequence" and "punishment" are two distinct concepts, in my understanding.

 

[hernyaccent]

Every action has a consequence, but punishment I think not. I have committed every sin according to christian doctrine except for murder and although negative consequences occur they are in no way worst than the things that happen to my christian counterparts. In fact, I live better than most of the ones I know.

 

[brinny]

From stealing to adultery sin seems to catch up with the people who do it. Is sin its own punishment?

God punishes sinful behavior.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FOKbtXq-y0

 

[jayem]

I believe, more often than not, that the chickens do come home to roost--as my grandmother used to say.

 

[The Nihilist]

What are the chickens that come home to roost that are associated with masturbating, pray tell?

 

[jayem]

What are the chickens that come home to roost that are associated with masturbating, pray tell?

I'm not talking about what religion considers as "sin."

I mean that if you consistently act in ways that hurt other people, you are likely to face consequences at some point in your life. When you behave like a jerk, you're gonna be treated like one yourself.

 

[feral]

Is sin its own punishment?

I don't believe in the concept of "sin" but it does seem like many of the behaviours Christians have labelled "sinful" do have built-in consequences. Probably, that was the reason the writers of the Bible included them in lists of prohibitions in the first place. Take, for example, adultery or premarital sex. It isn't a sin in my view so long as it isn't coerced, and there is no consequence if it's done carefully, using protection. However, unprotected sex has a built-in consequence of (often) unwanted pregnancy and the risk of STDs. Socially, we've reinforced these consequences by applying guilt as well, so people who have premarital sex sometimes suffer emotionally.

For most other behaviours though, it is society that has created the punishment; it's not just part of the natural order of things. For instance, in capitalist society, if you take something not belonging to you without obtaining explicit permission, it's called stealing and you can get fined, jailed, made to do community service, ostracized from your community and looked down upon. But "theft" isn't always a crime and isn't always punished. If you live in a commune or some environment where everything is everyone's, there isn't any problem with taking what you need.

 

[Fin12]

No.

Many organised criminals flourish unhindered.
The reason the romans flourished until converting to christianity before being destoyed by heathen nations.
Rock stars? Drugs? adultery?
But if you are dishonest to YOURSELF and do what YOU think is wrong, you will live with a heavy heart.


Doing good is it's own reward. Evil far too often results in sucess, that's why it can be so tempting to lie or to steal for example.

 

[Garyzenuf]

What are the chickens that come home to roost that are associated with masturbating, pray tell?

Hairy palms?

 

[Stinker]

Does sinful behavior punish itself?


Even if a person has evaded being 'found out' about their sin/s, the nature of sin will become apparent just before that person dies. It is absolutely terrifying to them and even terrifying to those who witness the look on the faces and in the eyes of these poor souls.

 

[Caitlin.ann]

From stealing to adultery sin seems to catch up with the people who do it. Is sin its own punishment?

How about "negative acts" instead of "sin". Or rather just people being rotten.

 

[The Nihilist]

Does sinful behavior punish itself?


Even if a person has evaded being 'found out' about their sin/s, the nature of sin will become apparent just before that person dies. It is absolutely terrifying to them and even terrifying to those who witness the look on the faces and in the eyes of these poor souls.

source?

 

[lawtonfogle]

From stealing to adultery sin seems to catch up with the people who do it. Is sin its own punishment?

But doing good can get you killed as well, depending upon the situation.

 

[BlackSabb]

Does sinful behavior punish itself?


Even if a person has evaded being 'found out' about their sin/s, the nature of sin will become apparent just before that person dies. It is absolutely terrifying to them and even terrifying to those who witness the look on the faces and in the eyes of these poor souls.

This sounds like something from Medieval times. Harken to my words Stinker, for verily I say unto thee. Thy words are freaky and spooky and a little kooky.


*singing*

"The Addams Family".

 

[jcook922]

I call it Karma.

 

[cantata]

I call it idealism.