Challenging the Church #2: "Original Sin"
Before I begin I would like to make the distinction that not all Christians believe in original sin doctrine. While many do including the Vatican I used both Christian and Muslim sources that refute the original sin concept and in that sense this issue of Challenging the Church is only refutation of some denominations of Christianity.
What is Original Sin According to the Church?
“Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men sinned.” Romans 5:12
The scripture basis of original sin doctrine is primarily based on Romans 5:12. This interpretation of Romans:12 implies that all men would include babies and the severely mentally handicapped, since otherwise they wouldn't die as we die. To that I respond "Seriously?". Obviously babies aren't men in this context, a baby is not a man capable of any behaviors that he would then be responsible of, a man is responsible for his own actions. The idea that God would be so unfair is contrary to the nature of God himself. God judges each of us on our own deeds and piety, but this teaching implies he would judge all of humanity on a single sin by Adam.
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” 2 Corinthians 5:21
This is another common scripture justification for the original sin doctrine. The problem with this is it doesn't say anything about original sin only that Jesus did not sin. Jesus was a prophet as I previously established in the first issue of Challenging the Church. Muslims agree that Jesus did not sin and was the holy messiah. The verse clearly seems to be referring to the perfect example of piety and compassion that Jesus set for God's people but it has been twisted by those who would worship him as God. Original sin allows for descendants to be held responsible for their ancestors, something unfair that could not be considered divine justice.
Refutation Part 1: The Bible
Even though I am a Muslim I will continue the theme of refuting false teachings using the Bible as well as the Quran because my primary goal is to show the logical, moral responses to the contradictions that drove me away from God in my youth as a Catholic. If God is all-powerful explain his need to become human, while still being separate somehow, and sacrifice this new aspect/form of him (Jesus) to forgive the eating of a fruit? It's a nonsensical notion. Also in the realm of original sin obviously judgment and therefor punishment of evil is impossible because it would be hypocritical for men to punish other men for sin if every man was inherently sinful without distinction between severity of different sins. We all know and accept, I hope, that stealing candy as a child is not equal to murder. While the teachings of forgiveness and charity are sacred and crucially important the modern church's desire to disregard the teachings in the old testament.
"Fathers shall not be put to death for their sons, nor shall sons be put to death for their fathers; everyone shall beput to death for his own sin." Deuteronomy 24:16
Clearly here God says in the Bible that we do not pay in this life for the sins of our ancestors, only our own sins. “For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). Muslims do not deny that Jesus came to show us that the path to heaven is through kindness, mercy, and forgiveness which is the meaning of this gospel verse. That does refer specifically to, or support scripturally, the doctrine of original sin.
Refutation Part 2: Christ confirmed by Islam
Distinction: The logical & moral justification for my Islamic refutation is based primarily on the fact Islam actually practices its' holy texts which clarify the teachings of the prior prophets including one of the greatest prophets Jesus Christ.
Here Muslims are encouraged to be patient in their trials and tribulations, never losing faith or stopping praise, while forbidding good and forbidding evil. This is clarification by God that while Jesus' message of forgiveness and mercy is pious indeed, evil should still not be actively allowed to continue instead being snuffed out by believers in righteousness when it is public.
Allah's hate of hypocrites and revelations regarding the fact there will always be people who use God's word for their own worldly benefit sets Islam apart from Christianity. Christian doctrine has been altered repeatedly by innovators and reformationists to mythologize and deify Jesus (peace be upon him).
The doctrine of original sin is one of the most damaging lies ever inflicted on the human race. Developed by Tertullian and popularized by Augustine, original sin says we all inherited Adam’s fallen nature. Thankfully for Muslims, Allah was clear that we are not judged based on our countrymen or ancestors.
When your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed I am going to set a viceroy on the earth,’ they said, ‘Will You set in it someone who will cause corruption in it and shed blood, while we celebrate Your praise and proclaim Your sanctity?’ He said, ‘Indeed I know what you do not know.’
The measurement of deeds to determine the judgment God will give a believer on the day he judges them is shared by Islam and Judaism. Christians are the only Abrahamic religion that believes a man was God and he had to die for mankind to be allowed into paradise again. This puts a limit on God's power but more importantly makes God unjust. In reality God has repeatedly reassured his people that if they repent and return to him they will be forgiven.
This is why you should read the Quran if you have not and allow your heart to be opened to God's final messenger. Muhammad reconfirmed the teachings of Jesus while dispelling the false misinterpretations of his words. On the day of judgement God and Jesus will both want to know why you worshipped a human and not Yahweh. They will both want to know why you virtue signaled as "reborn" and "saved" by ignoring the most important commandment according to Jesus, the first. God is all-powerful, and most merciful. Adam was no exception to his mercy and grace because when he repented God forgave him as well.
Then Adam was inspired with words ˹of prayer˺ by his Lord, so He accepted his repentance. Surely He is the Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful.
Al-Baqarah 2:37
Conclusion
In conclusion while Muslims like myself do love Jesus and revere his teachings as given by God, we do not consider Jesus himself to be God. Because we do not believe Jesus is God we are not compelled to create logical justifications for the interpretation that Jesus' death was necessary for God to forgive the sins of humans. This aligns with the messages God gave to the Israelites, which is a message Jesus himself confirmed, that the most important commandment is to worship only Allah the Almighty. Original sin robs God of his rightful title "all-good" and implies that Jesus' sacrifice was necessary in order for God to be able to forgive people. That is a limit that would prevent us from calling him God at all.
Sources
https://reasons.org/explore/blogs/reflections/responding-to-objections-to-original-sin
https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/using-the-bible-to-explain-original-sin
https://escapetoreality.org/2022/08/03/original-sin-is-unbiblical/
https://www.gospeltruth.net/menbornsinners/mbs07.htm
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