Are all sins created equal (according to Christian doctrine)

[Zzyzx]

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Are some sins punished more than others?

Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Colossians 3:5-6 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Dont be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.

Matthew 12:31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.

Mark 7:20-23 And he said, What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

Matthew 5:28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Matthew 12:31-32 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

Mark 3:28-29 Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin

Galatians 5 lists murder right along with such things as hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, drunkenness. Is that indication that sin is sin regardless its severity?

What is the difference in punishment for a person who is a drunk (or jealous or wrathful) vs. a murderer?

[ttruscott]

[Replying to post 16 by ttruscott]
That is some belief system you have there. From what you have said, am I to take it that you consider most people you encounter are evil?

News flash: Most Churches teach that all people are sinners, ie evil, by nature and few find their way out of their addiction. This is expressed by such verses as Romans 3:23...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and Rom 5:12 ...for that all have sinned: So yes, I have some belief system called Christianity, your dismay aside.

I suppose I am what you have called a non-elect, your definition being, and I quote, "Since choosing to be evil instantly enslaves the person to the addictive quality of sinfulness, they become evil and cannot save themselves from their evil which now imbues their every decision, suppressing their free will."

This definition only defines a sinner and being a sinner addicted to evil is to be human and does not make someone non-elect. Your supposition misses the mark as non-Christian and not what I said. Ony sinners are born into mankind.

While I can apply the word evil and all its synonyms to certain people, such as Hitler, Pol Pot, and ISIS for example, but I would not apply that word to myself or anyone else that I know. I do not consider myself to be evil.

Thank you for sharing....

[sorrento]

[Replying to post 21 by ttruscott]

You said, "News flash: Most Churches teach that all people are sinners, ie evil, by nature and few find their way out of their addiction."

Churches teach a lot of things, a lot of it being a load of nonsense. As far as I'm concerned, what you are touting falls under that heading!

[sorrento]

[Replying to post 20 by JehovahsWitness]

You said, " You may be an angel sent to walk amongst us or the personification of evil, that should be eliminated on sight, who knows?"

Well, I know. I am neither. I agree with you that we probably do tend to assess ourselves in a favourable light, but even allowing for that, I still in no way consider myself as being evil.

What do you consider to be evil? Where does being evil start?
You suggested that it can be down to a lack of moral fibre. People can show a lack of moral fibre simply by dodging paying for a fare on a bus, but does that make them evil?
If people are going to make the very serious accusation that someone is evil, then they need to be able to say clearly what actions or deeds they consider to be evil, and which are not.

[JehovahsWitness]

If people are going to make the very serious accusation that someone is evil, then they need to be able to say clearly what actions or deeds they consider to be evil, and which are not.

I agree. If you come across anyone, on this forum (or elsewhere) that actually accuses someone of being evil be sure to remind them of that. I for one would never do such a thing. I would also advise you to report such an individual because accusing some of being evil is probably considered uncivil and an infringement of forum rules here.


Well.... have a great weekend.



Regards,

JEHOVAH'S WITNESS

[ttruscott]

If people are going to make the very serious accusation that someone is evil, then they need to be able to say clearly what actions or deeds they consider to be evil, and which are not.

In a religious context, sin is an act of transgression against divine law.
Evil, in a general sense, is the opposite or absence of good.
They both refer to the same state of existence of a person in rebellion to GOD.

In most of the Christian world, evil / sinful is what a person is, not what he does in that (theologically) everything a sinful person does is sinful. To understand the Christian take on the sinfulness of people Romans 1 is a good start.

[Clownboat]

[Replying to post 20 by JehovahsWitness]

You said, " You may be an angel sent to walk amongst us or the personification of evil, that should be eliminated on sight, who knows?"

Well, I know. I am neither. I agree with you that we probably do tend to assess ourselves in a favourable light, but even allowing for that, I still in no way consider myself as being evil.

What do you consider to be evil? Where does being evil start?
You suggested that it can be down to a lack of moral fibre. People can show a lack of moral fibre simply by dodging paying for a fare on a bus, but does that make them evil?
If people are going to make the very serious accusation that someone is evil, then they need to be able to say clearly what actions or deeds they consider to be evil, and which are not.

As you know, you are probably not evil.
It is a curse of religions (and is a cult mentality) to make enemies out of others. Considering them to be an evil to unite against makes it all the more easy.

What religions cannot do is show themselves to be beautiful and deserving of being followed all on their own. They can sure accuse others of horrors though, as we can even see in this thread.

"Follow my way, or be an unrepenting evil soul".
Somehow, being a good person and not following the religion being touted is not an option. Odd, and self serving. I couldn't see this myself when I was a member, but now it sure is as obvious as water is wet. Blinded from the inside I guess...

[JehovahsWitness]

It is a curse of religions (and is a cult mentality) to make enemies out of others. Considering them to be an evil to unite against makes it all the more easy.

I couldn't agree more, I personally wouldn't join a religon that considered others to be evil and made enemies out of others. I am attracted to Jesus teaching because it teaches that all people are our "neighbours " and we should love them.


Excellent post, thank you for sharing,

JW

[Clownboat]

It is a curse of religions (and is a cult mentality) to make enemies out of others. Considering them to be an evil to unite against makes it all the more easy.

I couldn't agree more, I personally wouldn't join a religon that considered others to be evil and made enemies out of others. I am attracted to Jesus teaching because it teaches that all people are our "neighbours " and we should love them.


Excellent post, thank you for sharing,

JW

You are welcome. Jesus did have some good teachings and he deserves credit (assuming the stories stem from one Jesus character and not numerous, but I digress).

It's some of the rest of the book that justifies making 'enemies' (us vs them) out of others. I did it unknowingly as a Christian and ironically am now more Christ like now IMO then as a member that looked at other humans as deserving of hell. That of course was what I was referring to, not just the alleged teachings of one man out of the entire book.