Augustine's The Confessions Of St. Augustine

Society over time has incorporated the theory of sin into law, giving law a more elaborate definition. Law can be categorized based on the severity of an action morphing sin into law, making it easier to physically see the outcome of the action. Therefore, not all sin is created equal.

In the book The Confessions of St. Augustine, Augustine recounts his experience of stealing pears from a neighbor’s tree. There was no significant reason like hunger, to try to justify it, but, “to do what pleased [him] for the reason that it was forbidden,” (70). God himself created divine law so that humanity could have a clear picture of what is considered sin. Society has interpreted those laws, and given them different levels of consequences. The consequences

A severe sin goes beyond verbal actions that society has declared as a minor offence. A severe sin turns verbal offences to physical ones that could result in fatal injuries. Murder would fall under a severe sin and on top of that, it would definitely be considered a crime. Divine law clearly states that, “you shall not kill,” (Exodus 20:13). Society has taken it one step further and elaborated the different degrees of murder. Society frowns down upon murder and is taken very seriously so that no one is wrongly convicted. When a person is convicted of murder the punishment still varies between the severities of the murder case. If it was manslaughter, the convicted would have to pay a fine and serve time for their recklessness. First degree and second degree murder convictions can range from a few years to life in prison and in some cases the death penalty. Murder is an example of how knowledge changes the consequences. In manslaughter a person could have had a car accident from reckless driving and caused someone their life. It was not premeditated so it would not have the same consequences as first or second degree murder. A high scale sin would be someone knowingly committing a sin. Awareness is key in distinguishing sin from one

For example in war society accepts killing for self-defense. Nations tend to get involved when there is an oppressing government in other countries. There involvement allows humanity to sin against, “authorities who tried to muzzle new thoughts and to the authority of long-established opinions which declared a change to be nonsense” (Fromm, Erich). Fromm believes that the definition of sin has changed in society when it is meant to a certain extent have a beneficial outcome. Osama bin Laden was one of the United States most wanted for the attacks on September 11. The deaths of many this day justified the death of Osama bin Laden. Many people would see this as free outlet to committing a sin. Just like the hero who diverted the plane to save many, society would view the assassination of Osama bin Laden as creating a better world by ridding it of some evil. This is to say that society would consider the murders by a person a greater sin than that of society killing person who committed the crime. More recently in France there was a terrorist attack. Much like on September 11 many died and the ones who committed this acts have sinned far beyond redemption. France to action and searched for the culprits. The ones involved know what their actions took the lives of many. Even though they had their reason to do it they knew it wasn’t right.