Sin

From Srafopedia

Sin is a term used mainly in a religious context to describe an act that violates a moral rule, or the state of having committed such a violation. Put simply, to sin would be to do something morally wrong. Commonly, the moral code of conduct is decreed by a divine entity (such as God in the Abrahamic religions, who gave the Ten Commandments to Moses in the book of Exodus).

Sin is often used to mean an action that is prohibited or considered wrong; in some religions (notably some sects of Christianity), sin can refer to a state of mind rather than a specific action. Colloquially, any thought, word, or act considered immoral, shameful, harmful, or alienating might be termed "sinful".

Common ideas surrounding sin in various religions include:

• Punishment for sins, from other people, from God either in life or in afterlife, or from the Universe in general.
• The question of whether or not an act must be intentional to be sinful.
• The idea that one's conscience should produce guilt for a conscious act of sin.
• A scheme for determining the seriousness of the sin.
• Repentance from (expressing regret for and determining not to commit) sin, and atonement (repayment) for past deeds.
• The possibility of forgiveness of sins, often through communication with a deity or intermediary; in Christianity often referred to as salvation.
• Crime and justice are related secular concepts.

(Source: Wikipedia)

See also: Confession; Absolution; Penance; Original Sin.