Religion invented "sin." Sin is used to apply guilt to the member in order for them to try to minimize the guilt through donations. Apparently, back in the days the donation could have been a goat or other prized meat animal. But it eventually turned to money.
The dangerous mind-control cult known as Watchtower uses that very much so. You feel guilty that you didn't get more than the average number of hours in recruiting, or that you didn't ask for voluntary donations at the door, or that you skipped a meeting or three. You feel guilty that you watched an R-rated movie or viewed pornography or listened to rap music.
Yes, the guilt is way more damaging than the act, because the act is typically NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF.
I do not subscribe to even the existence of "SIN" anymore. Evil exists and so does bad intent and mistakes. But conforming a conscience to feel guilty over matters that should be personal decisions is just wrong. If one person feels that abortion is okay or that casual sex is okay, they may change their feelings later and they may not. But I no longer judge that person. Who am I to determine these matters for another person?