Well I was just trying to relate the concept of Time and Sin, and
how they don't exist, but sure I'll argue about this too. =)
We're operating on the same grounds here, so to speak, but I
personally think sin is an essential idea to Christianity. If there is
something inherently wrong with every human, then someone must present a
solution, which is redemption/salvation. Since salvation/redemption or
some kind of purity or reward is trying to be acheived in all religions, I
could say that it is necessary to have it as motivation.
I doubt there could be anything so special as my own God-given wretchedness
to take the place of Sin.
But I think we are both right. Who can argue that there aren't a
plethora of reasons for people to believe in God? We've been listing them
like crazy. So I conclude that all those are ample reasons (anything
involving fear) why people accept or practice religion. My statement kind
of fits into yours because I think there is a large element of fear
involved with sin. Everyone has a fear of committing one.
Commit too many, and you'll go to Hell; gotta have that salvation. It is
astounding (well not really) how a sinner is so quick to point out the sins
of other people, thereby exempting themselves from blame. Like a child
that has broken a lamp tells his mommy (or Daddy!) on his sister that
spilled her milk, a man can prove he's self-righteous by condemning others
with a make-believe quality like Original Sin.
The whole point of sin is to shift the blame from ourselves, the
evil deeds we commit due to our own dark natures along with free will to
commit these acts, to some bodiless, mystical force that is externalized,
like Satan. Just blame it on the Devil, he can do anything. (just like God
in fact) Using Satan and Sin, you can also readily explain why the world
is corrupt and people are wretched if we are created by God, the ultimate
Good, thereby justifying the belief in Him. Like I said, a huge part is
also casting away self-blame and purifying oneself by the popular act of
"confessing your sins". A
Actually, our ideas seem to go hand-in-hand, so why am I debating?
Well I know it's because I just spent an all-nighter not long ago writing a
futile paper "On the Nature of Sin" for a woman (my Reli. St. TA) trying to
convince her that sin does not at all exist when I know very well she
thinks it does.
I guess I wasn't done counter-preaching yet. There, it's out. =)