I have been thinking about the "code words" that we use in Church. One that is particularly perplexing to people today is the word "sin". The meaning of the word does not often explain the gravity, nor the systemic nature of the problem. As with all evolutionary processes, the word has changed over time. I think that today's understanding of sin is often ridiculous.
Take for example, someone who hoards to the extent that his house becomes inhabitable. He no longer takes care of his animals, letting them defecate wherever and whenever they wish. The outside of the house starts to tell the tale of what's going on inside, as weeds take over, trash cans are left unemptied and miscellaneous junk sits idly for "later use". Inside the house, the kitchen sink is full of dishes and rats have started to invade for the half-eaten food that remains on each plate and bowl. Where carpet used to invite guests, holes are worn throughout so that sub-flooring shows through. The smell of the house is so heavy that it takes your breath away as you enter to see the shell of an individual who is just out of control and has nowhere to turn.
In this hypothetical scenario, society immediately gravitates toward getting "help" for the person: "Get him out of the house. Get him to a doctor for some medication for his problem." In reality, society has helped to create the problem. Western culture for too long has imprinted its citizens with the need for more. Desire out of control is the problem at the root of so many of the economic, educational and societal problems today. The deepest problem of all, however, is that the problem is spiritual: it reaches into the very spirit and soul of individuals and changes our very make-up. Is there some kind of ontological change going on at a molecular level? I don't know. Of course, the individual in question must come to a point of realization that he (or she, as this applies to anyone) really is out of control and needs help.
But, and here's the clencher, society carries an equally powerful, perhaps more responsible part in the person's demise. Yes, you read that correctly; we all are to blame for the deep, systemic, societal problems that separate us from one another. In Hebrew thought, especially seen in the Old Testament, sin itself is a systemic problem that we all participate in, that we all must fight against together. In New Testament terminology, Jesus the Christ has given us power over sin by placing humanity in a position of power over it. Sin no longer need have a power over humanity as Jesus has conquered its power for us. The new reality for humanity is to believe that God has acted on behalf of humanity and in humanity's favor.
So what to do about the hypothetical scenario? Well, once humanity realizes that we all are in this situation together, moralistic blame and guilt no longer make sense. Now, we work to show the one who suffers from sin that God still cares for them. And if God can care for them, so can I; no judgments, no characterizations - just pure selfless acts of compassion.
True, the individual in sin will have to move definitively from the situation, but that move may take more steps than I desire. The house still needs to be cleaned, the individual still needs to move away from the lethal situation. However, the long, hard work of relationship building can begin wheresoever the person finds himself/herself.
What do you think?
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