As part of our reading this week and our discussion in class
on Monday was the thoughts and ideas of the early Christian philosophers and theologians,
such as St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas.
Although these men discussed a variety of topics they were, of course,
Christian philosophers, so the idea of Sin, morality, and the afterlife figured
heavily into the writings of many.
Augustine focused in on sin and morality in particular and Aquinas and
the others also had plenty to say on these matters. One of Augustine’s most long standing idea is
original sin. This is the idea that the
first or original sin, committed by Adam in the Garden of Eden, had consequently
been passed on to all humanity, and that we were all born stained and guilty of
his sin. This is a rather bleak doctrine
and understandably rubs many people the wrong way. Especially when Augustine talk of the
damnation of unbaptized infants one must ask how any God who claims, or is at
least preached to be loving and benevolent could do such a thing? This raises a question on the nature of sin
and sin in human beings as well? Is it
something built into our being. Are we
doomed to be dammed to hell because we are already born sinners and can never
escape it? What even is sin? Is it only those things set forth in the Old Testaments
Laws and in the sayings of the New Testament Christ. Or is there something more subjective about
sin, is it something that we must, to some degree, determine for ourselves? Are we all born sinners, or do we only become
them, is there an ultimate authority on sin, or do human beings have some say?
(H3) I have grown up with the idea that we are all born with a sinful nature, a world where sin doesn't exist seems unimaginable to me. Due to my faith, I believe we are all born sinners but it is an interesting scenario to ponder.
ReplyDeleteNot being of the christian faith, I firnly do not believe that we are all born sinners. Personally, i even believe that the idea of sin only comes from religions. When one breaks a law or rule set forth in a religion, it is a sin to their deity and faith, but if one with no religion commits a 'sin' then i believe that it really isn't a sin, it is just a choice they made that could possibly have negative consequences. Sin being a religious construct in my view along with me not being religious makes me refuse the idea of 'sin' and the damnation of all humans upon birth.
ReplyDeleteNot being of the christian faith, I firnly do not believe that we are all born sinners. Personally, i even believe that the idea of sin only comes from religions. When one breaks a law or rule set forth in a religion, it is a sin to their deity and faith, but if one with no religion commits a 'sin' then i believe that it really isn't a sin, it is just a choice they made that could possibly have negative consequences. Sin being a religious construct in my view along with me not being religious makes me refuse the idea of 'sin' and the damnation of all humans upon birth.
ReplyDelete