Sin is an act or state of disobedience towards God.
29
votes
13answers
1k views
How to answer “Why do evil and suffering exist?”
I believe that evil exists because God gave us free will. Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Because of this The Fall of man happened and drew us away from God. Suffering exists not only because God can ...
13
votes
10answers
382 views
What is the essence of sin?
There are bound to be lots of questions like "Is X or Y a sin?". However, what is sin at its root and where in the Bible do we get our understanding of it?
13
votes
3answers
211 views
How should a christian evaluate whether a particular action a sin or not?
Since they are directly addressed in the ten commandments, most people agree that committing adultery or murder is sin; yet this world is a complicated place full of things that are not so clearly ...
22
votes
4answers
984 views
What does the bible say about homosexuality?
I was recently listening to a podcast and the preacher said that he has looked through the entire bible and could not find anywhere where it says that homosexuality was a sin.
Where does the bible ...
36
votes
4answers
2k views
Why do some Christians believe it is moral to be a homosexual?
(Note: I know this may start a firestorm, so I will be careful here.)
I believe that the Bible states that homosexuality is immoral.
I also believe that it does NOT condemn them to hell (a sin is ...
30
votes
9answers
5k views
Is masturbation a sin?
There's definitely two sides to this coin, some people say that masturbation is not a sin that leads to death, others say that it's a sin because Jesus commands us to deny the desires of our flesh.
...
15
votes
5answers
439 views
Under what conditions can a “good” or “charitable” act actually be sin?
In spite of a prevalent cultural attitude towards sin that excuses misbehavior if a person had "good intentions", most Christian traditions do not seem to include the persons feelings in the matter ...
13
votes
5answers
1k views
Under what conditions does the Bible support divorce?
It seems that Jesus talks out against divorce. But in other places, divorce is allowed. How does this all play out and where does the bible really stand on this? Is it a sin or is it just part of ...
18
votes
3answers
3k views
Is incest a sin?
If we all descended from one man and one woman then it's quite apparent that a third generation was not possible without the sexual union of close relatives.
Does the Bible (or other Christian ...
10
votes
3answers
1k views
What does the Bible say about sex before marriage / premarital sex?
The title pretty much asks the question, but let's set the stage like this:
Two people meet in High School, have sex, then eventually get married.
What does the bible say about sex prior to ...
22
votes
5answers
2k views
Does God create some people Heterosexual and others Homosexual?
It is quite common for people who identify themselves as homosexual to say that God created them this way. Some way even go so far as to say it was a misfortune that they were born into:
...
15
votes
7answers
3k views
Does the Bible condemn white lies?
Orthodox views on it state that any sort of lie is a sin by itself. More liberal Christians will say that it doesn't really mean that much provided it doesn't hurt anybody. But more importantly than ...
15
votes
5answers
1k views
Why isn't the cross considered an idol?
Exodus 20:1-15 ESV
And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who
brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
“You shall have no other gods ...
13
votes
8answers
406 views
Would it have been possible for Jesus to sin?
I think most, if not all of us, agree that Jesus did not sin. However, the devil tempted Jesus, at least in the wilderness, prior to Jesus' public ministry (Matthew 4:1-11). Does this mean it would ...
6
votes
4answers
1k views
Is “hate the sin, love the sinner” a Christian idea?
The expression "hate the sin, love the sinner" gets thrown about in both Christian and non-Christian circles, but it does not seem to a bible verse. Is it a biblical concept or just a popular cliche? ...
22
votes
7answers
2k views
Sex outside of marriage is a sin. But what about “less than sex”?
Inspired by Is masturbation a sin?
This is a tough subject that I've grappled with my whole life. It's clear in God's word that sex outside of marriage (adultery) is a sin.
But, what is acceptable ...
11
votes
8answers
6k views
Can one sin be worse than another sin, or are all sins equal?
Since all evil acts come down to disobedience against god, are all evil acts equivalent? Is no sin worse than any other sin? If one sin is worse than another sin does that imply that one act can be ...
11
votes
4answers
1k views
Are we born sinners? [closed]
We can be quite certain that God didn't originally create us as sinners. Rather Adam and Eve chose sin in the Fall.
The doctrine of original sin is widely held in Christian churches, but those ...
8
votes
2answers
768 views
When are children held accountable for ther sins? [closed]
There's an interesting topic regarding the salvation of unborn babies that inspired this question.
I believe that babies that die previous to birth go to heaven. I also believe that young children ...
8
votes
3answers
337 views
Why would God create beings with the capacity to sin?
Life on earth is filled with the horrible effects of sin. Why did God create mankind with the capacity to sin? Was there a higher purpose in this or was there a specific reason for it?
I'm ...
20
votes
5answers
234 views
What was it about the death of Jesus that allows God to forgive us?
I've heard many people state that it was the punishment inflicted by the Romans that allows God to forgive us. This just doesn't make any sense to me. How can a man suffer for a short while here on ...
17
votes
3answers
695 views
Should we honor our parents even if it leads us to sin?
In What does the Bible say about "bad" words? a comment was made that "I cuss in all the (two) languages I speak fluently. It's just my upbringing, and we should honor our parents, right?"
...
14
votes
3answers
548 views
Why is it a sin to eat an apple?
Eating a fruit* is not even a real wicked deed like killing somebody or something. Why did this whole sin thing get started with something so innocuous that by today's standard it wouldn't even be ...
9
votes
2answers
499 views
How is sinning judged after accepting Christ?
How is sinning judged after accepting Christ?
Are there classifications?
Are we clear of every sin?
What about repetitive sin of the same type?
(All assumed after accepting Christ.)
5
votes
5answers
276 views
How should a Christian respond to “Does this dress me look fat?”? [closed]
If your wife asks, "Does this dress make me look fat?" And you think it does, but you tell her, "Of course not, honey!" Is that a sin?
10
votes
1answer
192 views
What's the difference between judging God and questioning God?
In my answer to Can man judge whether God is fair?, I gave an example of the prophet Habakkuk questioning God in a judgmental way. God dealt with Habakkuk patiently, answering his questions.
On the ...
9
votes
3answers
191 views
What is the practical application of the story of the woman caught in adultery?
John 8:2-11 tells us the story of the woman caught in adultery:
2At dawn [Jesus] appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3The ...
15
votes
4answers
214 views
Do not Judge others, or do we Judge others?
I hear so much about "Do not judge others, lest you be judged." I know that there's more scripture out there that gives us a better insight into our responsibilities.
Can you please answer this ...
6
votes
5answers
259 views
Is it possible to achieve a life without sin on earth?
Based on the biblical doctrines, is it possible to achieve a completely holy life without any sin during our lifetime after salvation?
8
votes
2answers
353 views
What is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?
In Matthew 12:31-32, Jesus says:
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 ...
8
votes
8answers
549 views
Is Mary's virginity evidence that sex is always sinful?
It seems that sex is always a sin, as evidenced by the fact that Jesus had to be born of a virgin and not by traditional conception in order to be sinless. Is this true?
Any viewpoint is welcome.
5
votes
4answers
3k views
Was the marriage between Abraham and Sarah incestuous?
In the comments to this answer to the question of why Abraham lied to Pharaoh about his relationship with Sarah, the following question which I am about to pose, appeared:
Was the marriage between ...
10
votes
1answer
270 views
What was the point of the laws written to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia?
In Acts 15, a letter was written to the beliving Gentiles. I can understand why they have to abstain from sexual immorality. However, I was wondering
What's the point of the law which state that ...
9
votes
1answer
88 views
What was the purpose to animal sacrifices?
I've never completely understood the purpose as to why God required that the Israelite's should kill an animal in order for God to forgive them.
9
votes
4answers
767 views
Is it a sin to get a tattoo?
It says in Leviticus 19:28 (NIV)
28 “‘Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on
yourselves. I am the LORD.
Does that mean it's a sin to get a tattoo? Where do mainline ...
8
votes
2answers
378 views
Is it a problem for a Protestant to practice Yoga?
I know a lot of people who claim to be Christian but practice Yoga. I always thought (and Wikipedia seems to back me up on this) that Yoga was about meditation in Hinduism or Buddhism.
Is practicing ...
16
votes
4answers
765 views
How ambitious should a Christian be?
According to Luke 16:13 (ESV):
No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God ...
14
votes
4answers
539 views
Is it possible for a human to stop sinning? (Is X a sinner?) [closed]
It's a familiar tale.
The Pharisees brought to Jesus a woman caught in adultery. They asked if she should be stoned. Jesus (after a bit) said "Let him that is without sin among you first cast the ...
12
votes
4answers
307 views
Why is Adam considered the original sinner?
In the Biblical account, Eve is the first to eat the forbidden fruit. Yet still the blame gets put on Adam and later on in the Bible it states that sin entered the world through one man.
Why is Adam ...
11
votes
2answers
155 views
Is it right for a church to be wealthy?
Jesus preached that the faithful should give up their wealth and worldly possessions and spend a humble existence in servitude of God. A church must have a certain amount of wealth in order to ...
10
votes
3answers
262 views
Are natural disasters the result of evil being allowed into our world?
I remember reading somewhere that the reason there are natural disasters on this earth is because of the evil which was allowed into it when Adam and Eve sinned. I have not been able to find this ...
9
votes
3answers
481 views
How could God be around Satan?
One of the explanations when I was first coming to understand why Jesus' sacrifice was necessary was something along the lines of: Sin separates us from God. God can not be around sinners, so with ...
6
votes
5answers
293 views
Is confessing to a priest the only way to be forgiven?
We first confess in our first communion and the priests say that we should always confess our sins, but is it the only way to be forgiven by God ?
Can't we pray and ask for forgiveness? I've heard of ...
6
votes
1answer
227 views
Is breaking copyright law a sin? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Are Christians bound to the laws of their country?
Making illegal copies of films, music, books and games
Downloading and seeding torrents
Using someone else's ...
5
votes
2answers
227 views
Could Jesus save Satan? [closed]
Could Jesus save Satan?
Some biblical reference with explanation, would be helpful.
3
votes
1answer
81 views
Are sins sinful because they are inherently acts of badness or because they are acts of disobedience against god? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What is the essence of sin?
Reading the question about why eating an apple is a sin and some of its answers and comments made me think.
If eating the fruit of the tree ...
2
votes
0answers
53 views
Is it a sin to desecrate materials belonging to other religions? [closed]
About three years ago I was part of an excursion organised by my school. While we were traveling in the bus, I noticed a small booklet(the content of which was printed in Urdu) lying underneath the ...
2
votes
1answer
65 views
When did sin and evil in the universe first appear?
According to Catholic, or Protestant (I am not aware of any division over this); 'When did evil in the universe first appear and what was the originating cause of it?'
Note: I mean the immediate ...
2
votes
1answer
69 views
Is every sinful behavior a sin?
In particular, is it sin when someone:
does something sinful, but he is not aware of the sinfulness
does something sinful, someone told him it is sinful, but he still doesn't feel it as sin
does ...
2
votes
2answers
115 views
Does a Christian who commits sins against Christian doctrine and commandments still remain Christian? [duplicate]
What is the position of the Christian denominations about whether a person who commits sins and lives un-Christian lifestyle, yet believes he is Christian, still remains Christian?
This question is ...
