What is Sin?
Sin is commonly defined as an immoral act that goes against divine law. While the concept of sin is often associated with religious beliefs, it is not limited to non-atheists. Atheists may not believe in a divine law, but they still recognize the immorality of acts like murder or theft.
Divine law, in some form, has governed civilizations throughout history. The Ten Commandments, regardless of one’s religious beliefs, provide a solid foundation for building a stable community. Many people can agree on commandments such as honoring parents, not killing, not committing adultery, not stealing, and not bearing false witness.
The fact that the majority of individuals agree on these principles suggests that ancient religious texts tapped into something profoundly true and deeply ingrained in the human psyche. Despite our differences, as Homo sapiens, we share fundamental similarities in bodily systems and senses. This understanding leads to the recognition of a single commandment that stands out as the greatest sin a conscious human being can commit.
While killing and adultery have complex circumstances, where self-defense or lapses in judgment may come into play, theft can also be driven by desperation. For instance, a father in dire financial circumstances may resort to stealing to provide for his children. Though these actions may be understandable in certain
To bear false witness
When I consider bearing false witness, it appears to be the gravest sin, and here’s why. It involves lying—fabricating events or distorting reality. How does it compare to other sins? Let’s analyze:
- To kill someone, unless in self-defense, requires lying to yourself about the worth of their life and convincing yourself that killing is the ultimate solution.
- Adultery necessitates deceiving yourself about your feelings for your spouse, pretending to be content when you’re not. These lies accumulate, making it increasingly difficult to speak the truth.
- Theft follows a similar pattern. Homeless individuals who choose honesty often receive support from the community. Their integrity is admirable.
Lying is the most significant sin, and I’ll illustrate this with a brief anecdote:
In a village, adultery was considered the worst sin for women. One woman spread a false rumor about another woman committing adultery. The village believed her, unaware of her deceit. Consequently, the accused woman was ostracized and her life ruined. Realizing her mistake, the gossiping woman confessed to the priest. He said, “Before I can forgive you, fulfill a task. Buy a chicken from the market across the village and pluck its feathers as you return, scattering them along the way. Once you bring me the plucked chicken, I will proceed with your penance.” The woman agreed and plucked all the feathers from the chicken on her way back. When she returned, she handed the plucked chicken to the priest, ready for her confession. The priest then said, “Now go and gather all the feathers you scattered.” Bewildered, the woman replied, “Father, that’s impossible! The feathers are gone by now!” The priest replied, “Just like the lies and gossip you spread about that woman, they can never be fully rectified. Her life is irreparably damaged.”
This tale, along with many similar incidents in today’s world, underscores why lying is humanity’s greatest sin. We have a choice between falsehood and truth. Each lie told makes it more difficult to speak the truth. Lies corrupt not only our own being but also those around us. They erode the trust of our loved ones. While the liar’s intentions may be known only to them, the destructive impact is significant.
A lie travels the world
It baffles me when people unquestioningly trust harsh accusations without considering evidence or hearing the other side. Take, for instance, the case of Brett Kavanaugh and the #BelieveAllWomen movement. Kavanaugh was labeled a guilty rapist based solely on an accusation, without any supporting evidence. Would the situation have been the same if he accused her instead? Of course not! Anyone who advocated #BelieveAllWomen needs to reevaluate their beliefs. We are all innocent until proven guilty. The question “Why would she lie?” overlooks the many reasons someone might deceive, primarily known only to the liar. Liars play a social status game, where one must lose for another to win. Gossip is an effective tool for destroying reputations, which can take years to build but only days to demolish. Lies spread like wildfire, as the saying goes, “A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.”
This brings me to the issue of media and its nature. Denzel Washington once addressed the concept of “Fake News,” stating, “If you don’t read the newspaper, you’re uninformed. If you do read it, you’re misinformed.” The thirst for being first, even at the expense of the truth, has become a long-term effect of information overload. It is the media’s responsibility to prioritize truth over speed and consider the impact of their reporting. We live in a society where the mentality is “first, sell it, regardless of the harm or truthfulness.” Practice leads to proficiency in anything, including spreading falsehoods.
Reaching the realization Denzel Washington has requires a shift in our perception of the media. It takes time and effort to recognize that mainstream media often fails to present the complete truth. It requires a search for truth, distinguishing between what is factual and what is not. It involves questioning our own beliefs and examining their validity. We must realize that the reality presented by the primary sources of news is often distorted and untrue.
a truth about “Truth”
I recall a situation when the news was reporting a story, and my mother and I knew the truth behind it. However, the coverage by CNN or MSNBC, driven by bias and agenda, deliberately omitted crucial facts that didn’t align with their narrative. We shared this revelation with my father, who had always trusted these sources, including Hispanic newspapers. He felt a profound sense of disappointment, questioning why they would engage in such practices. He had placed his trust in institutions responsible for delivering accurate information and current events within our community, only to discover their failure to fulfill this responsibility.
So, why do we continue to watch and trust? Mainstream media, as well as social media platforms, serve as vehicles for pushing and spreading narratives. If they were to purely convey the truth, there would be no need for various broadcasters, diverse consumer bases, or underlying agendas. Two sides of the same coin can appear vastly different, and if we constantly expose ourselves to only one side, we become physically unable to see the other. Attempting to see both sides at once is impossible, as one side of the coin more accurately reflects its true nature.
Yet, the truth lies within the edge of the coin. This edge has no sides, it remains constant, true, and singular all around. It represents the authentic color, texture, and elemental nature of the coin, untouched by manipulation or corruption. Discovering the truth requires seeking a balance on this edge, a challenging endeavor yet immensely rewarding.
May God bless us in our pursuit of truth.