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Subject: +*+*+*+ Solomon's Private File #397 "What IS Sin?" +*+*+*+
Date: Tue, 07 Nov 2017 02:31:10 -0500
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Solomon's Private File #397
These stories about Stephen and Solomon take place starting in the
1950's. Stephen wrote about his life in letters to a penpal, and then
in a secure blog, in case he lost his memory again, in the master
computer in his school for gifted students, which he started attending
in 2016 in a new incarnation, until his death. Now his son Solomon is
attending the same school, and is writing in his own secure blog for
his future incarnations.
All characters are fictitious, even if some of them might have names
that belong to some actual people, or act like people we know.
Solomon is 33 in this story, in the Summer of 2059.
Solomon's Private File #397 "What IS Sin?"
START Page
I said on the CNN show, "Why am I discussing Muhammad, and Islam,
more than other religions? In the order of the major Prophets, he is
the most recent before Stephen, and the most misunderstood by the most
people. Most so, in regarding sin, the subject of this show." Nods. I
said, "Is it a sin for women of Islam to not cover their hair and
face?" Mecca said, "It is." I said, "It is not. It is nothing of Islam.
The Prophet only said that his wives should cover themselves modestly,
because his very modest house was open to everybody, which was unusual
at that time. It still is, actually. Some people were criticizing him
for having too many wives, and would use anything they could to
discredit him, fair or not. He didn't want his wives to be used for
that. It was for political reasons, not a sin. He never meant it to
apply to anybody but his wives. The covering known today, was never
part of Islam in origin, but of local desert nomadic tribal customs,
made into religious law from that, for the control of women. I used
that to illustrate that many local social customs were er, stuffed into
religions, to help the religions to be accepted, and to make the
religions conform to the politics and customs of the day. Social sins
were made religious sins, and falsely. In the early American colonies,
it was a sin, and against the law, to sell liquor on Sunday. It still
is, in some places. Why Sunday, and not other days? They didn't want
drunk people in church. An inconvenience made it a sin!" Baptist said,
"I didn't know that! Not surprising, though." Nods. I said, "Most of
the dates of Christian observance were made to conform to the Roman
holidays." Priest said, "I have to say that's true."
I said, "Why is adultery a sin?" Priest said, "I think you mean other
than as a Commandment. Marriage is a social, religious, and legal
contract. An oath. To forswear that, was a harm to the family and
community." I said, "Exactly! But you know there was more." He said,
"The family was everything then. Land had to be secured, and passed to
the heir. And they had to be sure who the heir actually was." I said,
"If a man couldn't know his children were actually his, it would all
fall apart. The problem is unless they are caught in the act, how can
it be discovered? Women had to be guarded and controlled to prevent
that, and the punishment be made as severe as possible. Women's rights?
That wasn't a known concept then. But they had knives." Grins.
I said, "Part of that is still in force today in many societies. Yes,
in tribal societies the most, but in America, too, paternity is still
an issue. I sure know that, with all the legal problems I had with it!"
Nods. I said, "The injustice of that! I was supposed to have had caused
all those children, and I didn't even have sex with the women. Not even
once! That just wasn't fair." Chuckles. I said, "In modern life, the
harm of adultery is in the deceit. The sneaking, the lies, the guilt,
the mistrust, and what it does to the children in that environment is
terrible, all for the selfish pleasure of their parents! But there is
also a sin against God in that. The oath." Nods.
I said, "In keeping with sins against God, which so far are lying,
adultery, the Sabbath, and murder, we have the first Commandment. We
know the truth of that; there is only one God, who is also of many
parts." Nods. I said, "The second Commandment has always been a
problem. People just can't be happy staring off into empty space, in
thinking about God. They need something to look at. But you can't see
him. I never have. But you can't see the real me, either, so I know how
that goes." Imam from Mecca said, "We're not doing too badly in that."
I said, "I agree. Doing very well in that, actually. But some leaders
of some of Islam, are not so much." Iran said, "My father and
grandfather's pictures." I said, "Why else are they all over your
country, but to encourage personal worship?" He said, "I would like to
deny that." Grins.
I said, "But bowing to a carving of a man dying of torture?" Priest
said, "Guilty, I admit it. We do that, but only as a symbol." I said,
"That's what idols are. Even the Pagans didn't believe the statues were
the actual Gods, but that they could inhabit them as they choose. They
too worshipped them as symbols. For you, Jesus is considered to be God
in a way. That offers some mitigation, but bowing to his mother's
image? Praying to her and saints as if they were God and can grant
wishes? That IS idolatry! It's worse that in many places where those
statues and paintings, and gruesome supposed relics, are paraded around
the cities so people can worship them even more conveniently. Another
example of religion taking on pagan practices to be better accepted
into local populations." He said, very cautiously, "That could be
something of an explanation of how that happened." I said, "But not how
it continues. Pandering to the people, to the detriment of your own
values, does them no good service." I said to the Baptist, "Don't you
agree?"
He said, "You put me on the spot! I know you mean our belief in the
Devil." Nods. I said, "Independent churches don't have a standard
message, so people can shop around for what suits their taste. You're
in competition for members. You have to support what they believe, or
they won't come. You can't help them if they don't come. So you have to
give them what they want, and that reduces your ability to help them,
where what they want, is false. You've really got a problem!" He
sighed, and said, "Yes we do." I said, "The Devil doesn't exist. God
has ruled on that in a contact." He said, "Yes he did, but unless he
does it in every church, with you and your gift of speaking, I don't
think it will change." I said, "Helping people to sin, encouraging
people to do that, and against God, is a grave sin. Any disagree with
that? I see no takers." We went to break.
I said, "Not going as you expected?" Priest said, "REALLY not!" They
were in full agreement. I said, "People sin much more than they allow
themselves to think, and that doesn't exempt religions, which are too
close to the issue to see it as clearly as they could." Priest said,
"Please say that in the broadcast." Back on air, I did. I said, "Now to
the lessor sins of selfishness. We've already discussed pride." Nods. I
said, "There is greed. You can't take it with you, should be stamped
onto all things made of gold, if not in the metal, into our minds.
Greed is one of the most useless of vices, and often the most harmful
to oneself and others."
I said, "What other sins should be discussed?" Priest said,
"Fornication." I said, "Bet some are relieved they didn't have to say
that?" Grins. I said, "It's defined as having sex outside of marriage.
Not outside on the lawn." Chuckles. I said, "Never know what could be
hiding in the grass. A snake, for instance." Priest said, "Good one. I
didn't expect that. A snake in the grass. Eden." Baptist said, "I
agree. Good one. Snuck it in. Oh! Maybe I shouldn't have said that!" I
said, "Got Hawk." Chuckles. I said, "People needed to control sex, for
family continuance, inheritance, disease, and for the most important
reason of all; jealousy. They just couldn't stand knowing that other
people were having more fun than they were. Knowing all is a great help
in knowing why people do things, when they won't admit it even to
themselves." Nods. I said, "The only valid reasons aren't in force now.
Therefore, in my personal opinion, it's not now a sin, if precautions
are taken to avoid unintended pregnancy. But religions are free to make
it so for their own people to disobey." Kam laughed, and said, "I'll
say it. You snuck that one in!" Chuckles.
I said, "But there is something related to it that's bad.
Promiscuity. Having frequent sex with many different people is harmful
to the soul, and to mental health, which often goes together. It's also
socially disliked." Professor said, "You haven't declared it a sin." I
said, "Opinions?" Iran said, "We consider it a serious sin." Priest
said, "A sin to us, as well." They all agreed. I said, "I have mixed
feelings about it, because it's mostly a society issue, but as it can
harm the soul, I have to view it as a sin, but relatively minor, in
most instances, now that social diseases are not a concern. But it
could lead to the sin of causing a pregnancy by deceit, and physical
and mental abuse of others. Call it a gateway sin?" Kam said, I like
that label." Nods of agreement.
LDS said, "Prostitution is a sin." I said, "No." They were all
surprised, but Kam. I said, "Prostitution is asking to sell a sexual
act, or purchase one. Correct?" They agreed. I said, "In most western
cultures, couples go on a date, usually to dinner. Man doesn't pay for
it, there is no sex after it. To me, that reality, which is not
considered a sin, invalidates prostitution being a sin. I know, who
ever heard of logical reasoning being applied to anything sexual?"
Chuckles. I said, "In most of the past, prostitution was an honorable
profession. They were often considered therapists. Some are now, called
sex therapists. Cost varies a LOT. It's been considered bad because it
spread disease, destroyed marriages, and it involved other people
engaging in jealousy causing fun. And one more thing. It made some
women independent. That just couldn't be tolerated in a male dominant
society. So, based on all that, I don't consider prostitution itself to
be a sin, but it often causes other sins to happen, and one more that's
very important. It's against the law in most places, and people know
it. You do it, knowing that, you are responsible for what happens when
you're caught by your family and the law. Causing THAT, knowing it
could happen, is a serious sin." Priest said, "I feel better about this
now." Nods.
Kam said, "So it's not the prostitutes that are usually committing
sins, in that they don''t know the status of their customers, but most
of the customers are, and partially because it's against the law and
their religions, and discovery causes harm to others?" I said, "Yes.
Well said." Lutheran said, "I feel even better about that." I said,
"Had you doubting me a little, there." Embarrassed smiles.
I said, "I'll say another one. Cheating. It's a form of lying." Nods.
I said, "Most of the other sins we might mention are all against the
laws of most countries. And some were sins before that, and are not so
in other countries. Usury, for example. That means charging excessive
interest on a loan. Islam is very much against that, and to an extreme
that's a detriment to their own economy." Mecca said, "We have
discovered that." I said, "Is it a sin to insult a representative of
God? Interesting expressions. Who doesn't know all of you you would
like it to be so?" Embarrassed grins. Priest said, "Being a
representative, that would make it an insult to God." I said, "Very
much so, as He said very forcefully, in regard to the paternity suits."
Iran said, "Oh!" We grinned at him. I said, "But, He isn't offended
unless they cause harm. It's the harm that offends Him. He sure can't
be harmed directly!" Nods. I said, "You know He has a sense of humor.
Creative and funny insults, He would enjoy. So do I, and I love helping
Him with that." Grins.
I said, "In Islam, is not praying the correct number of times in a
day, a sin?" They both said it was. I said to the Priest, "Missing
Mass?" He said, "And missing Confession, yes." I said, "But not for a
Muslim?" He said, "Out of respect for other faiths, which we support, I
would have to say, no. It's the same God we pray to. But he speaks with
a different accent." I said, "Wow! Did I hear correctly?" He grinned,
and said, "You did, and I have to admit to the sin of pride in it, a
little." I said, "Good one." They agreed. I said, "So we have
established that some sins are particular, and peculiar, to different
religions, and some are not applicable to other religions. That would
be the same for community and cultural sins. And some shouldn't be
considered sins."
Kam said, "But the universal sins are those against God, and those
that directly harm people." I said, "Some are in both categories."
Mormon said, "And are interpreted differently in different cultures,
which can change over time, and should be judged in that context."
Baptist said, "And it can be so complex, that some help could be needed
in that, for which we leaders in religions are for." I said, "We do
that in my group. We ask. Second opinions are good, even for the most
powerful and intelligent. No person is perfect. Nobody knows all the
answers, or all the questions. Not even me. When in doubt, ask. When
you aren't in doubt, that's often when you most should ask." Mecca
said, "Yes! That's wise!" I sighed, and they chuckled.
Mecca said, "I have to ask. Some of Islam say that in war, it is
allowed to kill the people who are not fighting, if they are of the
country that is in war, because in a democracy, they voted for the
government that's engaging in war." I said, "You know the answer.
Logical reality, first. At most, only about a little less than two
thirds of the people who could register and vote in American national
elections, do it. And of them, about half vote for the party that
actually wins. And children can't vote. Just that a alone causes that
justification to be false, because most people didn't vote for that.
Now there is this. There is no war that is holy. Killing is NEVER God's
will! The word used for holy war actually meant a just war, conducted
in a just way. The Prophet said a just war is permissible, if you are
attacked. If YOU are attacked! Not some other people! War isn't against
a religion, it's against the people fighting a war. And countries or
organizations that declare war. And only IF you are attacked. Who
attacks you? Children? Pregnant women? No they don't. They are
innocent. You kill any people who are not physically trying to
personally kill YOU personally, that is against Islam, and against all
The Prophet said about it."
I said, "For Muhammad, a just war was of defense in your own land,
and people who weren't personally attacking, were NOT to be harmed,
EVEN BY ACCIDENT. That is the Rule of The Prophet, and I have to say it
is wise. If there is to be war, that is the ONLY honorable and just way
it may be fought. To kill yourself is a sin. To kill the innocent for
any reason is a sin you will not recover from, which is of TRUE Islam.
Do that, you WILL suffer!" He said, "America has violated that." I
said, "And they aren't of Islam, or any religion, being a secular
government, and they didn't do that as a policy, but they didn't try as
much as they could have to avoid it in Islamic countries. Don't copy
those you dislike. Prove you're better. If you are. I don't yet see
it." We went to break.
I said, "Well, you did it. Hijacked the show." Grins. I said, "I said
what you wanted me to say. Happy now?" He said, "Can I wait on that?" I
said, "Sure. You know I expected that." He said, "Did you show The
Prophet the correct words the first time?" I said, "How did you know
that!" He laughed, and said, "Just a feeling." I said, "Boss at it
again?" We felt a touch. I said, "He did." Then the Ayatollah got it,
and looked at me worshipfully. I said to him, "Careful there. I didn't
admit to anything." He nodded, unable to speak. I said, "We're almost
out of time. Any last words, make them when we come back." Priest said,
"God contact?" They saw Kam's gigantic grin. I sighed, and said, "If
it's asked by all, in a religious setting, I have to do it." They did,
even Greg. I said to him, "Announce what happens in it." He said, "I
will."
Back from break, Greg asked for final comments. Most were about that
we hadn't thought before about some of the things we had discovered
today about sin, and they had praise for my wisdom and judgement. Then
Greg said to me, "After you, in religion, who here has the highest
status?" I said, "That's not a good question. Those who aren't the top
in their religions, are representing those who are. I see that doesn't
satisfy you. Head of State isn't religion. So that brings down the
Dalai Lama to the level of The President of LDS. They both have total
personal power over their religions." Kam said, "I rule by agreement.
The President rules by proclamation. His word is law to his people,
even to changing his religion. Mine isn't, therefore he has the highest
status in religion here, after Solomon." I said, "I have to agree. Not
that any of this status talk means anything. Here, we're friends, and
equal in that." They agreed.
I said, "A ruling. It is a sin to insult any person, if the intent is
solely negative. If you mean to cause harm by it, that makes anything a
sin." Nods of agreement. I said, "What an insult IS, is a matter of
opinion, therefore it should not be decided by man what it is, and so
it is not to man to punish the issuer of the suspected sin, for that
sin, but to God, in his final judgement. If you mean to cause harm to a
person in authority of religion, a representative of God, with an
insult, know that you also insult God, and disrespect His
representative and that religion. As God has his own way of punishing
insults to Him, it is NOT our duty to punish others for it, making
God's decision for Him. However, speaking against the insult, and the
issuer, in objection, without insults, is encouraged by all who would
support the equal respect for all, and for those who work for God. In
addition, we all must oppose lies. Be aware that it is an ACTUAL lie
that you would oppose, which is a false to fact statement that is
intended to deceive, that your opinion of it is not your only basis for
that determination. Opinion alone isn't Truth. An insult that is a lie,
is against God, who is Truth. That is a serious sin, and should be
opposed." I nodded to the others. They agreed with it.
Greg said, "So, simply put, we shouldn't punish people for insults,
because what they are is based on opinion, and so only God should have
that task." I said, "Yes. Make them funny, he'll probably like them."
Grins. I said, "The problem is intent. People can't know what is in the
heart of the insulter, and if the victim actually felt insulted, or if
they would tell the truth about that." He said, "You would know." I
said, "Yes, but that's private except to God." He said, "Now I
understand. But lies should be opposed." I said, "Sure. Lies hurt us
all. Still a problem with that, with different beliefs. So, we have to
be careful with that, too." He said, "Imperfect world." I said, "And
we're a part of that. A noisy part." Chuckles. I said, "But lies about
God, I have to oppose, by assignment. Better they get opposed by others
before I have to do it. Could get messy." Kam said, "Yes!" Chuckles.
I said, "I've been asked to do a God contact." Greg said, "Would you
include all of CNN?" I said, "Already told them?" He said, "We did,
which you knew." I said, "Viewers didn't. Yes, I can speak for them,
too." He had to smile. I made the love broadcast, and all were ready.
God came in, and said, "I am Truth! Solomon has spoken Truth as I
would, but with much more words than I would have used. No, that was
not an insult. He explained well." Kam said to Him, "Has Sol ever
insulted you?" He said, "He has not, in speech." Kam laughed. Iran
said, "Allah, was Solomon, Ali, the cousin of The Prophet Muhammad?"
God said, "Yes he was, in a past life. Solomon, you know I must be
Truth." I said, "I know. But a bigmouth is another matter!" He laughed
well, and left.
They all stared at me, as Greg said for the record, what happened in
the contact, including that God laughed as he left. Kam said to me,
"You expected that." I said, "Yes. The question of the crossed out
title. He prompted that. People have heard me talk to God in contacts,
and He answered. The whole world heard it, actually. They can do it,
too, if they think of it then. It was bound to happen, eventually. God
has plans. What I would prefer, isn't part of them. Obviously!" Mecca
said, "You insulted God!" I said, "It wasn't so to HIM. I was
expressing the truth, in showing my feelings about that. He didn't have
to answer the question. He said more than usual. So what I said was a
true expression, and funny in the surprise, so He laughed, knowing it
wasn't an actual insult, but a comment of irritation between friends,
intending to be humorous. Remember, He knows how I feel. I can't hide
it from him. Saying anything that is not what I feel, well, I just
can't. If I did, THAT would be an insult." He said, "Oh! I see now,
more about what you were saying about insults being a matter of
the reasons I had for saying it. I could have just said nothing, and He
would still know. Teaching moments are all around us. Ignoring them is
a loss to all." They all agreed with that, with awe and reverence for
me. Greg closed the show.
I said to all, "Not what you expected?" Kam said, "I'll speak for
all. None of it!" Chuckles. LDS said to me, "Did you?" I sighed, and
said, "About sin, yes, but not the question and answer in the contact,
at the beginning. I did, after the first question to me about it. I've
known that God wanted that incarnation known, and he knew I didn't. He
felt that after I said what I did here today, it was the right time.
We'll know if that's true, soon enough." Nods.
I said to them, "You did well today. If any of you would like to
return at the invitation of CNN to discuss more of this subject, or
anything else of world interest, just say that with my name, and I'll
port you. Better be dressed and standing." Grins. I said, "They usually
debate these things in other shows. As if anybody watches them."
Chuckles. Greg said, "Some do." I said, "TV on, yes. Eyes open and
looking at it? Only I know." He said, "Oh!" He pulled the earpiece out.
I said, "Control room a little loud?" He said, "Yes! They want me to
ask you to do statistics for us." I said, "I will, only for what's
related to my shows, and it's not to be published. I won't do it for
anything else here, or I would have to do it for all shows on all
networks, to be fair." He said, "Good that I can't hear their groans."
Grins.
I ported all who wanted to leave, home. I shifted to Kam's residence
in Tibet, where a lot of Monks were waiting. I said, "So, we had a
debate. They survived." Grins. An Abbot said, "You made it happen, all
of it." Kam said, "And without unfair influence. He restricts his
power. It's not a good feeling." I said, "Is it alright if I correct
you here?" She said, "No, but do it." We hugged. I said, "When I could
use just one body, that was true. Now that I don't need one to exist,
that causes some different feelings. Some I couldn't avoid before, I
can remove from my local awareness. I control each entire presence
independently. I mean I control ALL of it, the whole reality of it, and
how it relates to other realities." I put my hand through the material
of the wall, and said, "I made my hand and the wall, to be unrelated to
each other. Matter, but not to each other. While deciding to do it is
of will, what causes it is of perception and ability. The enlightened
see more of reality, and the illusion it is to our senses. I see more;
how it's constructed, how it works, so I can manipulate it, but very
carefully, or it will cause damage to the whole dimension. I had to
repair one, where an experimenter caused that."
Kam said, "I'll say it for all. Wow!" I said, "Accepted." We hugged.
END Page
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Grant
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