Do you believe in the original sin or not?

[MackinawTJ]

I have started a few threads on this board and one thing I noticed is that among christians there seem to be quite a few people that reject the "original sin" and believe we are born innocent and become sinful and many that do believe it. So I figured I'd start a poll to see what the results turn out to be and to spark a debate. So do you believe in the original sin? Why or why not? As I've stated before (but for people that don't know) I'm an atheist.

[HB99]

You left out Yes, I am a Christian (as one who believes there was a Jesus)and don't believe in that crap...

As a religion you are referring to what should be called "Paulism" since Christ never started a religion. It was Paul who taught what he thought Jesus wanted him to teach...it's not Christianity.

When you are born you know NOTHING...your brain is essentially EMPTY...

Most of us believe in whatever we were taught by our parents...it's that simple.

As you grow up and learn more things you realize it's all a fairy tale...or at least as real as the Easter Bunny...

There's a reason why a lot of these threads remain unanswered...

Nothing against you, maybe we'll chat again...

[da_mean_cat]

I don't believe in the original sin in that concept. I do know that because of Adam and Eve, sin got in the world and since then, we are all sinners. Yes, that I agree with but in the concept of the original sin talked in other threads I can't agree with because it changes the image of God as established in the Bible. The Bible said God is just and merciful and that concept of a baby dying and being judged by a sin he didn't committed and going to Hell violates the statement of the free will because that baby never had a choice and he never sinned before.

[monahan]

Fundamentally I believe that we were born with the equal ability to commit good or bad deeds; I believe the human animal is neither good or bad, but is in fact entirely altruistic in nature. By extension, I must concede that the idea that we're born with sin is flawed in the extreme, but we are born with flaws inherent to our nature that become more apparent as we grow older.

[Netrix]

Originally Posted by HB99

You left out Yes, I am a Christian (as one who believes there was a Jesus)and don't believe in that crap...

As a religion you are referring to what should be called "Paulism" since Christ never started a religion. It was Paul who taught what he thought Jesus wanted him to teach...it's not Christianity.

When you are born you know NOTHING...your brain is essentially EMPTY...

Most of us believe in whatever we were taught by our parents...it's that simple.

As you grow up and learn more things you realize it's all a fairy tale...or at least as real as the Easter Bunny...

There's a reason why a lot of these threads remain unanswered...

Nothing against you, maybe we'll chat again...

It's most likely called Christianity because the religion is focused around Christ.

Sin is a myth... It is just another way that the Church tries to keep people in line and contribute offerings so people can "redeem" themselves.

[SilentWalrus]

Originally Posted by Netrix

It's most likely called Christianity because the religion is focused around Christ.

Sin is a myth... It is just another way that the Church tries to keep people in line and contribute offerings so people can "redeem" themselves.

Agreed. I believe that they got together early on and decided how it was going to go.

[da_mean_cat]

well... I don't think sin is a myth since it is in the Bible and if there's no sin, then why there would be a God anyway? There can't be good if there is no evil or else, everything will just be good and there's not logic in there.

[Netrix]

Originally Posted by da_mean_cat

well... I don't think sin is a myth since it is in the Bible and if there's no sin, then why there would be a God anyway? There can't be good if there is no evil or else, everything will just be good and there's not logic in there.

...and who wrote the Bible?

Also, your whole statement is dependent on the assumption that God exists, which isn't a very good basis for an argument.

[monahan]

Originally Posted by da_mean_cat

well... I don't think sin is a myth since it is in the Bible and if there's no sin, then why there would be a God anyway? There can't be good if there is no evil or else, everything will just be good and there's not logic in there.

The bible is flawed, and has often been used as a mechanism to control the masses...That kind of invalidates the idea of original sin more than anything else.

[theDark]

Dudes, topics about religion usually end badly. If we're gonna talk about stuff like this you have to be respectful of peoples beliefs, just because you don't believe in God it doesn't mean God doesn't exist and it doesn't mean people who do believe in God and base their ideals on the existence of God are posing inferior arguments.

Now...As an Atheist I do not believe in the original sin. I also dislike the idea that a new born baby is considered a sinner, those families who are religious and who have an infant that unfortunately dies of something like SIDS must be completely devastated thinking their child who never commited any sin, never even had the oppurtunity to commit sin, is now being judged as a sinner.

[da_mean_cat]

...and who wrote the Bible?

Also, your whole statement is dependent on the assumption that God exists, which isn't a very good basis for an argument.

Um... do you forget we're talking about religion, you know, something that has to do with God and you say that my argument is not valid cause I'm assuming that God exist? *sarcasm mode on* Wow, nice comeback *sarcasm mode off*

The bible is flawed, and has often been used as a mechanism to control the masses...That kind of invalidates the idea of original sin more than anything else.

According to who? As far as I know, the Bible has worked for me and many millions. Many stuff the bible says it has happened after it was written and besides, saying that the Bible is flawed because you think it is that way is not a very valid statement. I agree that many people have used the Bible to control the masses but you can't judge every single person because of some people trying to take advantage of the need of God in other people. I suggest you read the Bible, not as in God's book or anything, but as an historical book and you'll find out that most of the people that uses religion to control the masses are not based on the Bible but doing stuff even prohibited in the bible.

Dudes, topics about religion usually end badly. If we're gonna talk about stuff like this you have to be respectful of peoples beliefs, just because you don't believe in God it doesn't mean God doesn't exist and it doesn't mean people who do believe in God and base their ideals on the existence of God are posing inferior arguments.

Now...As an Atheist I do not believe in the original sin. I also dislike the idea that a new born baby is considered a sinner, those families who are religious and who have an infant that unfortunately dies of something like SIDS must be completely devastated thinking their child who never commited any sin, never even had the oppurtunity to commit sin, is now being judged as a sinner.

Wow... now you're a very open minded person even in your atheist belief. That's something to admire! I'm a christian but I agree with your statement 100%.