Approaching the West — Page 99
A pproaching the West—99 Law, there was no sin. “Apart from the law, sin is dead,” said St. Paul (1 Cor. 15:56). To commit a sin also shows sinners’ mistrust in God, and an expression of ingratitude and infidelity. Sin is every thought or action that annoys God, and His loving relationship with the sinner is broken. Sin is lawlessness, transgression and rebellion against Divine love, grace and mercy. God is caring, loving and gracious, then, a sin on the part of His servant is no less than an emotional flaw, insensitivity, towards the benefactor! A step taken towards sin is a step away from God. All spiritual merit of nearness to God depends upon remaining away from sinfulness. Sin is an indication that the very faith in the existence of God is shaken. Fear of losing God’s love is the means to stay away from sin. Sin is a sickness of soul; an ignorant attitude towards the High; a breakage of healthy relationship between man and the Divine. Hindus have innumerable virtuous duties to perform and a vast number of vices to avoid as part of their dharma. Dharma is similar to Jewish Halakhah, or Isl ā mic Shar ī ‘ah. In Hinduism, the concept of sin also relates to the teachings of gods, goddesses, and avatars, but mostly it is a mental attitude against the norms of the established dharma that controls their daily lives. Sin is a reaction created in the mind before, during, or after an action. According to Hinduism, it is falling below the standards of dharma that leads human soul to lower levels, and to be reincarnated after death in an inferior form of life. A sin is considered to carry a negative consequence, a suffering, to be redeemed through the process of transmigration of the soul! Interestingly, in