Islam - The Summit of Religious Evolution — Page 105
105 CHAPTER VI REDEMPTION OR ATONEMENT OF SIN It is again confirmed that the intention of any remarks in this discussion is not, in any sense of the word, to injure the feeling of any person or group. The reason for including this discussion here is consistent with the need for this book, i. e. , to critically analyze the scriptures, and find support and any evolutionary trends for our beliefs. Redemption of original sin is the main reason that Christians cite for their belief in Jesus' death on the cross. It is imperative to discern this point extensively to present an accurate picture based on Biblical accounts. The prevalent belief among Christians is that Adam sinned by eating the forbidden fruit. He thus sinned and was expelled from the Garden of Eden. In his fall, all mankind (i. e. his descendants) fell and inherited the sin from him. There was no other way for redemption from the sin except that God out of His mercy should send His only begotten Son, blameless, sinless and innocent, "very God and very man": who truly suffered, died and was buried to reconcile his Father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for the original sin but also for all future sins of mankind. ” 1 The following discussion will help clarify this issue. I The Redemption theory is found on the supposition that all the inhabitants of the globe are descendants of Adam and Eve who existed six thousand years ago. Modern science has proved that mankind is much older than the Biblical Adam and Eve. 2 Even the Bible states that there were men living in parts of the Earth other than the residence of Adam and Eve, because Cain said: 3 "I shall be a fugitive and vagabond in the earth and everyone that findeth me shall slay me". And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. Then he left the place where his parents lived and "dwelt in the land of Nod on the East of Edom. He knew his wife; and she conceived and bore Enoch; and he built a city after the name of his son Enoch"! Now, if there were no other living men besides the sons of Adam and Eve, why did the Lord put a mark on Cain that he might not be killed by anyone, and from where did he get his wife? And how did he built the city if there were no other inhabitants in the world? The Bible also indicates that at the time of the creation of man, the Lord created them male and female and blessed them and called their name Adam in the days when they were created. 4 It shows that other men were also called Adam, and it was a common name given to all created men. When it is established that all men are not the descendants of the singular Biblical Adam who is supposed to have sinned then the doctrine of Redemption, based on the fall of this Adam in sin, crumble to pieces. II In fact no person can be a sinner deserving punishment until they intentionally and knowingly disobeys God's commandments. An innocent oversight due to ignorance is not considered sin, even in the worldly system of justice. How can it be considered a sin in God's system which is perfect in all respects. In view of this definition, Adam was not a