Carol asks,
Why does the church talk about sin so much, especially in Evangelical and Roman Catholic churches? It seems clergy and parishioners constantly talk about it, and it makes me uncomfortable.
I agree with you, Carol.
Let me start with Jesus. He was born, lived, and died as a Jew. His ministry primarily was to his people. The Ten Commandments and 613 mitzvot (commandments of Jewish law) were his religion’s foundation stones. Breaking these laws was a sin, a word whose root is found in archery, meaning “missing the mark.” All humans do this daily, whether they want to, mean to, or don’t even know.
Remember, the so-called early church was a movement and denomination within Judaism, so the laws played a major role. Then, in 88 CE, the Jewish hierarchy asked the Followers of Jesus to leave Judaism because they didn’t believe Jesus was the Messiah. These Followers left, but the Ten Commandments and 613 laws went with them.
When Emperor Constantine institutionalized the religion called Christianity, the laws and breaking them became the business model. The idea was to make folks feel bad about themselves and offer ways to “un-bad” themselves, with money usually involved. Then the people in charge could build huge churches and employ many folks to work for nothing to make it happen. All the while, they kept emphasizing badness.
Many people loved the law. It became a measuring stick. They’d constantly ask themselves, “Am I good or bad?” I think some folks felt they couldn’t do life without “missing the mark,” or sinning. They enjoyed being sinners and going to confession because that made them feel good, at least for a few hours. Then, the cycle began again. Many churches set it up that way. It was great for business.
I don’t believe that model works quite so well in the twenty-first century, as church numbers keep dwindling. Educating people to be critical thinkers (a foundation stone of a democracy) isn’t necessarily good for religion. Creeds, much of theology, and the way people do church is fair game for thinkers.
That’s why I like my new future church model. OG (Original Goodness) believes humanity is good (the Holy Spirit is within us). In fact, humanity is so good that we need to develop ministries that rely on people’s goodness so they can go out into the hurting world to help heal others’ hurts literally and figuratively.
Carol, I, too, am very uncomfortable when churches start talking about sin and sinners. I would get up immediately and leave.
But I’m going to be first in line at any church that preaches OG. I hope to see you there.
PeaceLoveJoyHopeKindness
Bil
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P.S. People often ask me provocative questions about current events, both religious and secular. I have found that some of these questions are being asked universally. I’ll be periodically alternating regular articles with one of those questions and my answer. I invite you to send me your question to bilaulenbach@yahoo.com.
Bill, I agree with you about siin and church history. However, I am uncomfortable about the failure of international law in relationship to Israel and Gaza. Where does sin and accountability meet. The mass media , for the most part do not mention the crimes of Israel. Many universities are punishing students for protesting, and some have fired faculty members for mentioning the obvious sin of Israel. Is this kind of sin in human nature? Should we use the word “sin” in relationship to the environment?