I believe that “sin” is something that is synonymous with “error” or mistake. 90% of those “sins” has to do with the following of guidelines that are given in religious teachings. Those belief systems will (for instance) tell you to respect your elders, love your neighbors, be just, avoid to lie, avoid to steal,forgive the evil that has been done to you, help the poor, follow the rules that have been laid by reason and science (Kuran), follow the teachings of persons “who are totally surrendered to God” (or in modern terms are enlightened – this is another spiritual subject -), not to worship deities other than God, not the consume substances that are harmful for the body etc. etc. And not following these guidelines is described as “sin” or error, and in many cases there is an addition that says “But God is surely very forgiving” or something like this.
Yet 10 % of these “sins” are what I would call greater sins and the book is overtly cursing such people and telling that are enormous (spiritual) consequences for them. These are using religion for political purpose, using religion for gaining personal advantages, creating alternatives to God or to religious teachings (creating sects in which a given person is veneered as a “divine” or “semi-divine personality”), etc. etc. I am not an expert on the subject. But in the Kuran there are also such “sins” that are really unforgivable in many ways.
So the simplistic image of a paradise above our head, demons below our feet, and some sins that will lead us to the “flames of hell” is in today’s perspective too simplistic and to middle-ageous for people living in the 21st century who are literate, are educated, have access to books, internet, news channels etc. So I believe that a believer (any believer) has also the duty of doing a certain amount of research and to have an understanding of his / her belief that goes beyond the blind repetition (in a language that he / she doesn’t necessarily understand) of some verses and the systematic realization of some given rituals without knowing or understanding their origin or their true purpose.
I think that there is and that there has to be a shift from a guilt and fear based understanding to a more practical, rational, and self-worth and trust in God based understanding that is more adapted to the realities and possibilities of our modern times.
Yet 10 % of these “sins” are what I would call greater sins and the book is overtly cursing such people and telling that are enormous (spiritual) consequences for them. These are using religion for political purpose, using religion for gaining personal advantages, creating alternatives to God or to religious teachings (creating sects in which a given person is veneered as a “divine” or “semi-divine personality”), etc. etc. I am not an expert on the subject. But in the Kuran there are also such “sins” that are really unforgivable in many ways.
So the simplistic image of a paradise above our head, demons below our feet, and some sins that will lead us to the “flames of hell” is in today’s perspective too simplistic and to middle-ageous for people living in the 21st century who are literate, are educated, have access to books, internet, news channels etc. So I believe that a believer (any believer) has also the duty of doing a certain amount of research and to have an understanding of his / her belief that goes beyond the blind repetition (in a language that he / she doesn’t necessarily understand) of some verses and the systematic realization of some given rituals without knowing or understanding their origin or their true purpose.
I think that there is and that there has to be a shift from a guilt and fear based understanding to a more practical, rational, and self-worth and trust in God based understanding that is more adapted to the realities and possibilities of our modern times.
