The Snowflake Chronicles

Notes on Sin

These notes were taken at an interfaith forum held in Las Vegas on Sunday, October 23, 2005. The title of the forum “What is Sin?” was one in a series of forums hosted by the National Conference for Community and Justice. The members of the forum panel on the 23rd consisted of Earth Based Traditions, Judaism, Roman Catholicism, Islam, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Religious Science. These notes are part of the background for my science fiction novel Scavenger, therefore they are not divided by religious traditions. These notes however are written in the order they were taken at the panel discussion.

What is Sin?

Sin is being out of alignment with God.
Value statements - 9 Principles & 7 Principles.
Goddess or Great Mother are from the Earth based religions.
We come into the world without sin.
We have a choice to do good or evil.
Type of sin intentional defiance of God.
Type of sin lust doesn’t have to be deliberate defiance of God.
Type of sin unknowing.
We must acknowledge we did wrong and vow not to do it again.
Repentance, prayer and charity.
Original sin.
Original blessings.
Original sin - inclined toward the opposite of good.
Sin - missing the mark.
Humanity created for love affair with God.
Sin - thought, word, or deed that is opposed to (opposite) of God.
Sin is a choice.
Levels of sin.
Mortal sin cuts of off from God.
Forgiveness of sin.
Sin - forgetfulness, to forget God.
Keep God before you (righteousness).
Humanity created to worship God.
We instinctively know what is sin.
Sin - willful wrong doing.
Sin - willful refusal to do right.
Opposite of good.
Individual not punished for anyone else’s sin.
Sin comes between individual and God.
Sin addictive and clouds individual’s view.
Punished by sin.
Cause and effect.
Humanity spiritual beings having a material (physical) experience.
Sins - mistakes.
Punished for mistakes.
Law of cause and effect.
Punished by sins.
Righteousness its own reward.
Sin - making mistakes.
Correct mistakes forgiveness.
God is God of love.
Consequences to action and thoughts.
Sexuality not a sin.
Copulation outside of marriage a sin.
(Luke 4).
Focus never met to be on sexuality.
Everything comes back to remembering God; remaining within bounds set by God.
Male and female symbolize aspects of God.
Oneness with God is to harm no one.
Expressions of sexuality considered holy within bounds of harming no one.
Sacraments community experience.
Violence used to free from bondage.
Forbidden to take life of innocent and suicide.
Standards to attend temple.
Temple garments to remind individual of covenant.
Human race consciousness.
Meditate.
Think about consequence of actions.
Devil or Satan - concept of devil; war in heaven.
Belief in devil would be separation from God.
Shadow self.
Satan the angel that challenges God.
Evil seen as opposite of good.
Revelation from God.
Correcting mistakes - price of consequence of error.
God acts through humanity or individual - can change bad choice to good.
If gambling consider game rather than way to make money it is not sin.
Fear of sin - fear stifles our spirit.
Fear of God different from fear that stifles human spirit.
Forgiveness highest form of spirituality.
Collective sin.
Honor spiritual self of individual.
God presence in and of everything.
Honor mother earth humanity evolved because of her nourishment.
Day of atonement.
Commandments guide.
Tradition.
Mercy and forgiveness of God.
God does not burden soul more than person (individual) can bear.
Do not let wrongfulness or injustice pass unconfronted.
Values important - values help and bless.