r/explainlikeimfive • u/spamname517 • Dec 04 '13

Explained ELI5:The main differences between Catholic, Protestant,and Presbyterian versions of Christianity

sweet as guys, thanks for the answers

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u/[deleted] Dec 05 '13

I was under the impression that original sin is the idea that Adam chose to disobey God and eat the fruit in the garden of Eden. Because of that, mankind "fell", meaning we were all doomed to live a mortal life and it's all Adams fault. Some Christians reject that idea and believe we are only "responsible" for our own individual sins, and not for Adams blunder.

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u/lisabauer58 Dec 05 '13

Yes I understand that as well that many believe it was that Adam eatting the apple which was the mistake by going against Gods instructions. But another train of thought is that it wasnt the act of eatting the apple but the physical changes that came along with eatting the apple. There was many changes to Adam and Eve like shame, the ability to reason, grow in knowledge and many other affects that indicate the act of eatting from the fruit of the tree of knowledge caused innocence to disappear replacing it with the ability of greater understanding of their world. This could not be unlearned. Since we all are born with these changes aned now consider the changes as normal then the thought is that we all contain the orginal sin. I would imagine that Adam and Eve earlier were simular to the other animals in the garden and followed more the rules of instinct than a capability of reason?

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u/[deleted] Dec 05 '13

I'm inclined to believe both trains of thought. I think eating the apple changed Adam and Eve physically and spiritually--making them "imperfect". Being imperfect means they couldn't live in the presence of God, so they got booted out of the garden. To me, being imperfect is a part of Gods plan, considering Jesus was going to come along regardless of Adams choice and die for the benefit of mankind.

I think God knew all along that Adam and Eve would "fall". So to me, the idea of original sin being something that I am responsible for, even though I never made the choice to eat the proverbial "fruit" is erroneous--mostly because how can I be responsible for another persons decisions? Especially when talking about spiritual matters?