By
B.A. Crisp
As I journey through life, I’ve encountered moments where I’ve been labeled a “sinner” for simply being human. From wearing makeup to getting pregnant out of wedlock, it seems that my list of sins is ever-growing. But who decides what constitutes a sin? Is sin truly a divine decree or merely a human construct designed to control human beings and instill fear?
The Sins of our Fathers (and Mothers)
Growing up, I was told that sin was a serious matter. My grandfather, a wise soul, had a different take. He believed that sin was a form of socialism, designed to keep humans humble and confined to a state of guilt, fear, and mediocrity. I can’t help but chuckle at the thought of sin being a government-mandate—until I remember that he felt governments mixed the idea of sin with nationalism to get people to go to war, to work, or to pay taxes.
The Morality of Sin
It’s important to distinguish between morality and sin. Morality is a set of principles that guide our behavior and help us determine what is right and wrong. It’s based on reason, empathy, and a desire to promote the well-being of ourselves and others. It is gratitude for what we have and for a planet that sustains us, because without this place, how do we live?
Sin, on the other hand, is often rooted in religious doctrine and can be used as a tool for control and manipulation. And religion, I’ve learned, always needs an enemy to fight in order to thrive.
Moreover, sin is typically a harsh judgement of something trivial that won’t matter next week or next year. In contrast, morality is recognizable as a clear distinction between what is helpful and what is genuinely harmful or hurtful to ourselves or others.
Consequently, while there may be some overlap between morality and sin, they are not the same. It’s possible to lead a moral life without adhering to a specific set of religious rules, and it’s also possible to follow religious doctrine without necessarily being a moral person.
Sinful Adventures & Jealous Judgments
It’s amusing to me how we tend to label others as sinners when they’re maybe having more fun than us. Whether it’s listening to music, drinking alcohol, or enjoying a wild night out, it seems that sin is often synonymous with adventure or courage.
Could it be that we’re just jealous of those who dare to live life different from our own terms? Or maybe we fear losing some sort of power and influence over them? Are we mad because they haven’t kept the proverbial playing field level and remind us of our own shortcomings?
Moreover, amidst oceans of sin accusations, there exist people who genuinely accept others as they are, embracing them without condemnation. These individuals put love before words. They don’t huff and puff to blow down another’s house—they roll up their sleeves and open their hearts—to build bridges of hope, love, and peace.
Alternatively, we have the adventurers, the mavericks, and the rebels. These individuals are far too busy living a robust life to concern themselves with our spiritual snobbery. These free-spirits dare to dream, challenge the status quo, and set fire to convention. They understand that life is too short to be confined by narrow definitions of sin. Instead, they choose to live boldly with unapologetic zest. As one brave soul once told me, “I prefer a direct conversation with God over having to answer to another human.”
Additionally, rebels inspire us to question our limitations and higher capacity for love. They remind us that happiness is found within our true nature. It means sometimes risking the disapproval of those who cling to rigid notions of right and wrong.
On the flip side, it’s the people whose words are louder than their inaction that I find most concerning. They are quick to point out the sins of others but fail to look inward and make meaningful changes. Maybe true Godliness comes from what we do to make lives better rather than what we say about others.
God & Self-Discovery
Ultimately, I don’t believe God keeps score of our sins. God is loving and non-judgmental. You can find God anywhere, from nightclubs to riverbanks. God is in the sunrise and sunset. God is in the laughter of friends and family, and in the joy, and failings, along life’s journey to self-discovery.
So, if God is everywhere, even within us, sin just might be a figment of our imagination and morality a better measurement of self-improvement and love. And if God made us in his image, then wouldn’t he give everyone a spark of the divine? Additionally, we see God’s likeness through the reflection of another’s eyes, and that is when sin becomes a matter of perspective. What one person considers sinful; another may see as a natural part of the human experience.
So, the next time someone accuses you of sinning, just smile and remember that their judgment is not your burden to bear. Forgive them. Embrace life, love yourself as God loves you, and trust that God, however you define him, will work with your plans, no matter how many “sins” others accuse you of committing.