In communal society, it is necessary for the greater populace to institute reactions to individual’s behavior. The common mindset is that, there are different reactions or consequences for different negative actions based on the actions gravity and severity. In the Judeo-Christian mindset, this is then translated to mean that various sins have matching consequences.

This is a reasonable statement, but nonetheless, false.

First, actions are only punishable if they are perceived as being detrimental to other occupants of the specific society. This means that some sinful behaviors might not be punished (lust) while other righteous behaviors might be punishable in the society (proclaiming Jesus’ name in Pakistan). The punishments in society are simply used as a means of protecting the greater “peace” and not maintaining righteousness.

The second point I noticed, was the adjusted scale of punishment. The human mindset rationalizes that it is impractical to instill a bright line punishment for detrimental behavior (not sin). A civilization couldn’t last if death were the punishment for cheating while gambling as well as murder, or a slap on the wrist was the punishment for rape as well as tardiness. However, in a spiritual mindset, death is the not the ultimate punishment, but rather, the ONLY punishment for sin (the wages of sin is death).

What is the significance of this? Why are sinful actions and unlawful actions sometimes not the same thing?

I all goes back to the purpose of death. Yes, it has a purpose. Death was instilled, not because of our sin, but because of God’s holiness. If death were created because of our sin, God would be truly hard-hearted. Death would truly be a punishment and condemnation. However, since God is holy, he cannot stand any form of imperfect (sin) and so death hides us and our imperfection. In effect then, death is not a punishment, but a seperation. This seperation then leads to the ultimate punishment, an eternity with the knowledge that a God exist and the remorse at a former disbelief.

An article I read about agricultural researchers working on homosexuality in sheep, indicated that the cause may be the levels of estrogen in the mother during pregnancy. Or testosterone in the case of lesbianism. The article mentioned in the future mothers may be able to wear a hormone patch to eliminate the possibility of bearing a child with this hormonal imbalance.

Interesting note, this research was deemed immoral by some a well known tennis star and lesbian.

I do not feel the need to specify since most of my current feelings have already been expressed.

–

In other news, great blog :-). It’s reminding me of how much I love reading these kinds of complex discussions.