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Re: Sin.
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To: alt-hindu@uunet.uu.net
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Subject: Re: Sin.
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From: ballrk@hp01.che.ufl.edu (ballamudi ravi k)
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Date: 28 Jun 1995 01:55:59 GMT
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Distribution: world
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From news@no-names.nerdc.ufl.edu Tue Jun 27 21: 44:32 1995
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Newsgroups: alt.hindu
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Organization: University of Florida Chemical Engieering Department
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References: <3smshq$55d@babbage.ece.uc.edu>
In article <3smshq$55d@babbage.ece.uc.edu>, Anshuman Pandey <apandey@u.washington.edu> writes:
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> I have been pondering this question for a long time, and have decided to
> post it to see what you all can make of it.
>
> Sin is supposed to be a deed done contrary to what is good, or simply, a
> bad deed. So, if an individual commits an act which he is not taught is
> bad and does not view it as a sin sin, but society as a whole views the
> deed as bad and as a sin, then is the deed the individual committed a
> sin?
>
> Also, another perspective: sin is something which is wrong, and if what
> is wrong to others is not wrong to you, then is it still a sin?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Anshuman Pandey
>
Here is my 2 cents on this topic... The question of Anshuman essentially
boils down to this: Sin appears to be a relative thing. What one person
or society veiws as sin in not necessarily sin with a change in perspective
or culture. Then how can one say one has sinned or not? Indeed to decide if
an act is sinful or not, we should first have an absolute basis for morality.
Not a morality that changes from person to person, or from society to society.
Now the problem is to find a set of values which are beyond individual
prejudices, social prejudices and any beliefs in any form. First of all
is it possible to find a set of such values? If we presume that it is possible
how should one go about finding such a set of values. It seems to me that
the way to start going about this is to question everything... every act
one performs, however insignificant it might seem... every situation one sees
however remotely connected.... And to observe "without prejudice" ones actions and reactions in situations etc. It might so happen that such a process
would help find that which is absolute and beyond human prejudices and beliefs.
It occurs to me that love, in the sense of unconditional love to everything,
might be the absolute moral basis one might experience when a serious and
earnest inquiry is made. And one should not confine oneself to opinions of
others or society or even his/her own opinions in trying to find the basis
for absolute morality. Because an opinionated mind invariably is not a free
mind and only a free mind can find what is beyond relative thinking.
Hmmm... don't know if I expressed myself clearly enough, but I hope what I said
wasn't prejudiced/conditioned.... :-)
-ravi
