As a Taoist, I spend almost none of my time contemplating sin. It's not that I believe that humans can do no wrong, it's more bound up with the definition of sin -- disobedience to God's will. Since I don't accept the notion of God, it's impossible to be disobedient to nothing!
From the standpoint of the Abrahamic religions, the greatest sin of all is blasphemy of the deity, to not believe that the deity exists at all. Though sins are not supposedly ranked, there does appear to be a hierarchy nonetheless because this represents the one sin for which forgiveness will not be tendered by the all mighty. In other words, it seems that a person could wantonly rape and murder hundreds of nuns, children and dogs, yet still be forgiven. If, on the other hand, a person leads an exemplary life filled with love and compassion, that person will still be damned for all time if they happen to worship the wrong deity or no deity at all.
Notwithstanding the Abrahamic definition of the greatest sin, in my humble opinion, the greatest crime against humanity is selfishness. Since, from the Taoist perspective, we all are connected, selfishness means one feels they are greater or more important than the whole.
In a manner of speaking, the selfish person sets him/herself up as a God. Their needs or desires are elevated above and beyond everyone else. It doesn't matter if their needs or desires injures or adversely affects anyone else. They want what they want and they go out to get it.
Often times, if you thwart the aims of this type of person, you will become the object of their animus. As with the Abrahamic deity, you will not be forgiven and the person may hold a grudge against you for life!
To be certain, every person is guilty of selfishness at one time or another. I believe it's an inherent aspect of being human in this world. But as with all things from the Taoist perspective, the key is balance. If selfishness is your basic modus operandi, then you will live a life terribly out of balance and you will suffer the consequences as will everyone around you! If, on the other hand, you are able to keep your selfishness to a minimum, then you will reap the benefits as will the overall community.
From the standpoint of the Abrahamic religions, the greatest sin of all is blasphemy of the deity, to not believe that the deity exists at all. Though sins are not supposedly ranked, there does appear to be a hierarchy nonetheless because this represents the one sin for which forgiveness will not be tendered by the all mighty. In other words, it seems that a person could wantonly rape and murder hundreds of nuns, children and dogs, yet still be forgiven. If, on the other hand, a person leads an exemplary life filled with love and compassion, that person will still be damned for all time if they happen to worship the wrong deity or no deity at all.
Notwithstanding the Abrahamic definition of the greatest sin, in my humble opinion, the greatest crime against humanity is selfishness. Since, from the Taoist perspective, we all are connected, selfishness means one feels they are greater or more important than the whole.
In a manner of speaking, the selfish person sets him/herself up as a God. Their needs or desires are elevated above and beyond everyone else. It doesn't matter if their needs or desires injures or adversely affects anyone else. They want what they want and they go out to get it.
Often times, if you thwart the aims of this type of person, you will become the object of their animus. As with the Abrahamic deity, you will not be forgiven and the person may hold a grudge against you for life!
To be certain, every person is guilty of selfishness at one time or another. I believe it's an inherent aspect of being human in this world. But as with all things from the Taoist perspective, the key is balance. If selfishness is your basic modus operandi, then you will live a life terribly out of balance and you will suffer the consequences as will everyone around you! If, on the other hand, you are able to keep your selfishness to a minimum, then you will reap the benefits as will the overall community.
Ah, like the scripture
ReplyDeleteGalatians 6:9-10
9And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Being full of self is a product of our ego and it does create an imbalance in our being which if left uncorrected will cause damage to us in many ways.
ReplyDelete