The Human Fall
The Abrahamic faiths teach that humanity fell from a primordial state of unity with God, and similar beliefs are found the world over.
Chapter 6: Evil, Sin and the Human Fall
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Cain and Abel
The first murder in human history followed close on the heels of the human fall; indeed, the tension between the brothers can be attributed to the situation they inherited from their parents.
The Devil and His Activities
Scriptures of all religions testify to demonic beings and powers. Their chief is known by various names: Satan, Lucifer, Iblis, Mara, Samael, Beelzebub, and Angra Mainyu, among others.
Sin
The biblical meaning of sin is to “miss the mark.” Thus, sin denotes how human beings deviate from the true standard of life.
Inherited Sin and Karma
Religions often explain differences in people’s fortunes and native endowments as the consequence of an inheritance from the past.
Collective and Historical Sin
Individuals are also inextricably bound to the collectives to which they belong: nation, race, tribe and religion.
Selfish Desires and Fallen Nature
Passion, greed, covetousness, hatred, lust: these emotions dominate the soul, causing blindness and leading to destruction.
The War Within
The human condition is beset by inner conflict between two opposing inclinations, one good and the other evil.
Egoism and Pride
Egoism, the inordinate preoccupation with one’s own self, makes people blind to the reality of God.
Ignorance and Atheism
Many religions regard ignorance as the cause of evil in human life. Being ignorant of God and the purpose of life, people’s values become confused, and consequently, they act wrongly.
Idolatry and Materialism
The worship of images, idolatry in the broader sense, means allegiance to false values that substitute for God.
Suffering
Suffering is the pervasive human condition, a sort of illness generated by the self through its false attachments.
God’s Grief
If God is our divine Parent and we human beings are His children, then surely God must feel great sadness of heart over His children’s bondage, degradation and rebellion.