Right and Wrong, Sin or No Sin

Whatever you call it, everyone has some definition of what is right (what we should do) and what is wrong (what we shouldn't do).  We all live our lives by certain rules of conduct and expect others around us to live by certain rules of conduct as well.  But where do we draw the line?  What is right and what is wrong?  Everyone seems to agree that murder is wrong, but what about adultery, or lying, or cheating on your taxes (hey the government gets enough money as it is).  These seem to be on one of those grey areas where everyone pretty much agrees you shouldn't do them, but somehow everywhere you look people are doing exactly that.


Then there are the tricky subjects, the ones that can start fist fights at family gatherings, tear families apart, and cause problems with even your closest friends.  Yep, I'm talking about the subjects like abortion, and homosexuality (and often sex in general), assisted suicide and alcohol.  These are such divisive subjects that people feel passionately about, but rarely talk about with people who disagree.  Disagreements in these areas tend to turn so ugly that we as a society feel its better (easier) to not only stick with our beliefs, but vilify the other side and refuse to even try to see the other side.


Most Christians believe abortion, homosexuality and assisted suicide are sins (most do not believe drinking alcohol is a sin but some do).  There I said it, but contrary to popular belief most Christians don't believe this because they want to cause division, or because they want to deny a woman (or any other person) control over her body, or because they hate gays.  Why then do they believe these things?  Honestly I'm not sure if that is the important question here.  Everyone believes something, everyone believes some things are right and some are wrong.  I'm not even sure the question is why Christians think everyone who believes differently is wrong.  Because frankly everyone believes those who believe differently are wrong.  That's the definition of believing differently.  I think are two main questions though.  The first is why do Christian want to force their beliefs on everyone else.  And the second is, if I'm not harming anyone then why do you say what I'm doing is wrong.


The first question involves Christians pushing their beliefs on everyone else.  Part of me wants to wholeheartedly deny this, but I've seen it to be true.  That being said Christians aren't the only ones pushing their beliefs on everyone else.  Believe it or not Christians saying, "You should or should not do X" is no different than non-Christians saying, "You should not tell me what I should believe."  I know they sound different, like night and day, but both statements are telling someone what they should or should not do with their lives.  Everyone is going to have a different opinion and world view.  Everyone is going to think they are right, and everyone is going to want others to agree.  Just because a world view doesn't have a fancy name like Christian doesn't mean there aren't beliefs, and values that its adherents try to live up to and expect others to live up to as well.


The second question involves Christians believing things are wrong that are quite frankly none of their business.  But here's the thing, something doesn't have to involve me for it to be right or wrong, whether its right or wrong is completely independent of me.  There is a right and there is a wrong.  Some things are a sin and others aren't.  If right and wrong are only cultural norms then they aren't right and wrong, they are just preferences.  If their wasn't then who gets to decide what is considered right or wrong?  Christians, Muslims, Jews, Atheists, Satanists, Osama Bin Laden, our government, China's government?  How about none of the above, all of these people are well just that people (or groups of people).  The only way for there to be an absolute on what is right or wrong is for that absolute to come not from a group of fallible people but from an infallible God.  Christians do their best to know and understand what God wants for us, what is considered right and what is wrong.  We don't always get it right, and in fact we don't always like the answer we get, but this is where our belief in right and wrong comes from.  To believe there is a righteous and loving God who has determined what is right or wrong and then to argue with that and say that you know better is plain arrogant.  I'm not saying that if you don't believe in a righteous and loving God that you must believe in the same right and wrong, but when you ask or expect someone who does to change their beliefs you are asking them to say they know more than God, and that is a lot to ask of anyone.

This barely even scratches the surface of right vs wrong, and the definition of sin.  In fact having written it I think it raises more questions than it answers, and may confuse people more than anything.  So, if you are still confused, have questions, etc. read my disclaimer and then feel free to ask questions.

My disclaimer:
There are large books dedicated to the defense of Christianity (and I'm sure other religions/world views as well) and I'm not going to give all know evidence or even a lot of evidence because this is a blog not a book, but I will try to give a reasonable explanation.  That being said, feel free to ask questions leave comments etc.