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Now what I am writing to herein is as simple in logic as one can get. To some it may be complex but in reality it isn't. It is as simple as individual choice. Now I would be remiss if I did not say it is crucial to the direction this nation is going to take in this next election. I leave the content for you to determine why this is my opinion?
Born sinners, or sinners by choice? Well for Christians we have our answer. We all sin and fall short, so the answer is yes to both for us and I suspect for all even though they do not believe they may consider a wrong doing as what believers label sin? So that means no man or woman can ever say they do not sin or do not do wrong. Of course you hear "what do I do", or "what sins do I commit" and in that you have the answer that these people really do not understand sin or recognize wrong doing in all its variations, especially the subtle ones, the obvious, the "smaller" sins, if any sin can be consider small?
Now we all have senses [smell, taste, see, hear and touch] and through them we grasp all that is our world and on this earth that we become aware of. For some they may not have one sense but may have developed a keener sense in one of the others that makes up for the loss of one or more?
Through these senses we develop our intellect, our inner self, our being. Yes and through the implementation of this we reason, weigh and make choices. We like, we don't like, etc. We are shaped by them all in one way or another. It forms the basis of what we do or fail to do. The fruit of our works in all aspects from thought, word to deed and yes what we present to the world. So while we all sin or do wrong to what degree is the real issue and do we recognize it as sin or wrong doing?
For the sake of the article lets assume since we are all sinners or can commit wrong and that one aspect that leads us in that direction is the carnal side of our being. The pleasure, lust, the physical desires, for someone, something. Yes we look, we fantasize, we contemplate, we hope, we desire we wonder. We see a picture, a person, nudity or semi nudity or just plain someone who is attractive to us. It can be physical, intellectually, spiritually or all of the above or one of the group and here is where the choice comes in. How and what we do with that information and how we act or not on it. To say we are not all subject to this is to lie. We all do at times have these thoughts, desires, period, but to what extent or degree do we act on them? What line do we allow ourselves to cross and why and when and under what circumstances or for what reason that may make it sin or wrong?
If we take a look at the world, the material things of man, the opulent, the posh, the beautiful, the glamorous, the exquisite, the fine, the rare and valuable, the lifestyle, the fame, wealth and power we all can say we appreciate, like, and perhaps desire or would like to have or experience such things? To what degree we pursue them and how is the issue once again. How we obtain and use them even more.
Then again there is the pursuit of personal issues, fame, fortune, knowledge, position, power, wealth and on and on and on all triggered by our senses, our sinful nature laying always just beneath the surface, always involved in the choices we make. Yes and if in positions of power and wealth, certainly not wrong of themselves, how do we use that we have?
Yes and do not be deceived it is all about YOU and CHOICES alone. Yours and YOURS alone.
So even while we profess openly a belief in a God and His teachings or that we are good, decent, law abiding and good neighbors, are we? Yes even though we go to church and act out the ritual, praying, singing and doing, even giving in a manner proscribed by those teachings we say we believe in, do we fall to sin and wrong doing at times?
Well the answer is a resounding yes. I for one must apologize for being so blatant about my writings concerning my fellow man, our politicians, because I have been outspoken about their deeds and works, what they have done or failed to do. Perhaps not realizing enough that they are but humans and subject to fall and to sin. However, am I to not speak out, keep silent, or look the other way, even at odds with my beliefs? I have my answer but only you can answer for yourself according to your beliefs.
Rhetorically, what is it that lets us state someone is good verses bad is really at the heart of this? Have I not written to this multiple times? It is what we perceive, our perception formed by what is exposed to us, the outward things we see and that our senses observe. Yet what about the things done in secret and that are hidden from view, the things of the heart? Do most if not all have them? Need I discuss them? The answer is no, but what we condemn many times we do in secret ourselves. Afraid to be seen, heard, found, why? We are after all, all the same. Subject to the same temptations. Is that not why we all fail? Yet how hard is the question at hand?
So one can only look to ones works for real evaluation. When those works cause pain, suffering, hardship, and even death and destruction and ruin could this be grounds for judgment? Do we not all use the same criteria, be we religious or not? Is it not what they who do the deeds have placed before us all to see or not, by choice, ours alone? Are we as a society to condone, accept, ignore that and if so how is that society going to continue to exist or are we to speak out for the good of that person and our society?
Now here is the point of it all. If we recognize sin or what we call sin and wrong doing as described by what we identify to ourselves as being sinful or wrong it does not mean that another sees it in the same light. Example, nudists do not see nudity as sin, they say they see beauty in creation? Now of course many use guidelines to define sin. They use religion, law, societies beliefs, the majority view. So we ask how that is defined as sin? Did God say nudity is wrong or man? Perhaps we should be covered so as to not induce someone else to sin and that is what we expect, modesty? Yet we also set aside places for those of differing views to do as they see fit without harming others deliberately. We do not agree, but we allow. Do we sin as well in allowing that if we believe that is truly sin or wrong? Do we harm them by imposing our way our will? We are getting deep now. So it all comes down to perspective and belief choices.
Now that is the key word deliberately. That is at the root of the choices we make. Do we do what we do or fail to do deliberately? Is the action we take positive or negative? If one look at leaders, no matter what aspect of society or level do they do what is right, just, honorable and for the common good of all, or just what is good for them personally, or the selected few? Do we take advantage of someone because they are at a stage that they can be exploited, used, manipulated for our own self gratification, use, need, desire, want? Do we take actions knowing that we cause harm in many ways for our own profit or personal gain covering it is the guise of for the good of all?
How many ways are there to exploit, use, take, from another? All through sin and yes wrong doing, no more no less. Sure we can say "I did not have sex with that woman" while in many a persons heart they believe that was a physical act of sexual gratification and if so do we as a society condone that, allow that, accept that and the person who did the deed? Forgive yes, or condone and accept? In my opinion it is sin, wrong, no more, no less according to the majority and my beliefs. No matter how you cut the pie. Yet how many do the same each day, day in and day out in secret? The person can and I say this again, can truly believe in their heart it was not sex. Possible yes, probable no? As society then can we allow law, deeds, actions to take place that we know are detrimental to many, others and society and look the other way for what ever reason because we have made a choice to?
So when our politicians pass laws that directly impact others negatively, harms them emotionally, financially and in every other aspect of their being and they recognize this, but do nothing about it to correct it, or even propagate more of the same, can we consider that as sin and wrong? When our politicians fail to act by not taking action that will inhibit those things that directly impacts others negatively, harms them emotionally, financially and in every other aspect of their being and they later recognize this, but do nothing about it, can we consider that as sin and wrong? Do we as a society when we condone, accept, allow, these things to come into being, even at the expense of our fellow human beings, citizens, neighbors, to be done and propagated and continued do we not also participate, act on and do those things that by anyone's definition can be considered sin and wrong? The simple answer is yes.
By our ignoring, condoning and allowing do we actually participate in what is recognized by the majority as sin and wrong? You can deny it, ignore it, disclaim it but it is what it is for most. I say most because we get back to the example of "I did not have sex with that woman". In many cases some people see no sin or wrong just a simple act. They do not recognize sin or wrong in the same context. They are in fact oblivious to it as sin or being wrong. It is correct by nature of their intellect. It is good and it passes all their qualifiers and they will continue to doi it because it is good for them and who is to say otherwise?
Does the pedophile think themselves wrong, evil or sinners? Does the politician who follows a dream an ideology a belief that harms many but the few think they are sinners or wrong? Does the spouse who cheats think of themselves as a sinner, or do they justify it and place the blame on the other, or as necessary for them by their circumstances? Does the person who steals ID think of themselves as a sinner or justified by circumstances? Most certainly, it is always the other who labels what they doa s wrong or sin, not them.
So in closing what is sin or wrong doing? In my opinion it is the deliberate act by a person that hurts, harms, destroys, takes, exploits or uses another or even themselves for personal gain in any and all forms. It can never be described as love of neighbor, the foundation of the Christian faith. It cannot be considered love, the foundation of many faiths. It is by choice what society defines as sin and wrong and we do it or not, no more no less. It is the action, the deed that the person performs and the consummation that makes it such. How it is called sin or wrong is through the beliefs of the majority of society and people. Yes and we can never forget that many believe they have committed no wrong, that all is legal and within the rules and to that end what mortal can challenge?
However, I leave with this for you to ponder. For any society to continue to exist it must have structure, law, guidelines and beliefs and it must enforce the will of the majority in those beliefs they hold as true and not submit to the desires of the minority. In that we all must adhere to. To that effect these are the guidelines we must use in life. In society, business, and yes our government and churches. In my opinion to not do such is inviting destruction.
Yet it is my view that we should not impose on our personal lives the will of society, as long as what is done in our personal life does not harm, hurt, abuse, exploit another, even with consent and certainly not as ever applied to children and those who cannot comprehend or discern or rationalize for themselves, or if done in public to offend or the results of ones actions do the same to others. What is sin and wrong in your personal life is in my opinion between you and your God or conscience but what you do as part of society, if that impacts that society is open for the judgment of that society.
Robert T. Melaccio Sr. 2008 Copyright ©2008 Robert Melaccio
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