Yeah, but define "sin"...

Sin, in it's literal definition, originally meant "to miss the mark," as in archery. A better definition would be to say "stray from the path." One would have little trouble in finding a completely different definition in the modern world, however, for the word "sin."

I would venture to say that the multitude today would define "sin" as being "an offense to God." Some would even argue that it's an action that directly damns you to Hell. Sin has been given an enormous amount of attention in most religious practices, and it is the deciding factor in deciding the "goodness" of others. Needless to say, it is definitely not the same word as the original meaning would suggest.

However, the biggest problem for "sin" in the modern world has not come from its definition, but it's come from what is considered a sin. The problems always arise when the subject of sinful nature comes about. How do you tell what a sin is? Or better, how can you tell what will "stray one from their path?" Even if you don't look at it as a hellworthy offense (which, by the way, I do not), you can still put some value towards sin as being something that can block one's path to gnosis.

So - who decides - and how - what a sin is?

The answer, as always, seems more pragmatic than one might assume.

It seems to me that a sin is anything that can pose negativity on one's self or someone else. This could mean different things to different people, but if you look at its core message, you can see a definition that's a little less broad.

The problem with most of the mass's conclusions about sin is that it usually comes from another source, for instance, the Bible or the Qu'ran. Usually, one cites a particular passage and it is decided then that a particular action or state of being is sinful. One might even take another person's message, or anything for that matter, and decide to use it as evidence against another and their "sin."

However, we all have a built in sense that allow us to be able to tell these things. It's called "common sense." The problem, one may notice, is that we're not raised to allow ourselves to know the difference between right and wrong, we're raised to be told what's sinful. We have so supressed our own gnostic insights in ourselves, that we have damned our children's chances as well.

We must always practice tolerance. As well, we must realize that negativity doesn't birth itself, it's always man-made. Ignorance about negativity is the biggest stumbling block in one's path to gnosis.

Peace be upon you all.