From a Christian power perspective, here is the deal with sin. Jesus died for our sins. Our sins = death. The answer for this is the power of Jesus sacrifice, conveniently administered through the clergy... Or elders at your local KH....
Now, take away the concept that you sin. What happens to the necessity of the Christian riutal sacrifice?
There is no need for it, and there is no need for them.
Thus, the clergy, and all administrators who rely on Christianity for their living, have a vested interest in making sure that you understand that you are a sinner, in need of the redemption that they offer/sell.
Paul summed it up best (from the NWT)
(Romans
7:7-12) . . .What, then, shall we say? Is the Law sin? Never may that become so! Really I would not have come to know sin if it had not been for the Law; and, for example, I would not have known covetousness if the Law had not said: "You must not covet."
8 But sin, receiving an inducement through the commandment, worked out in me covetousness of every sort, for apart from law sin was dead. 9 In fact, I was once alive apart from law; but when the commandment arrived, sin came to life again, but I died. 10 And the commandment which was to life, this I found to be to death. 11 For sin, receiving an inducement through the commandment, seduced me and killed me through it. 12 Wherefore, on its part, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.Interesting that even Paul acknowledged that without specific direction, he wouldn't view certain actions as sinful. Is it man or god who teaches that these actions are sinful? And what is the motive of those who claim to act as gods spokemen? All very valid questions, and in my experience, the answers aren't all that encouraging....
