Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: st0o+@andrew.cmu.edu (Steven Timm) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Original sin of infants Message-ID: Date: 2 Apr 91 08:24:28 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Lines: 21 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu The question of "are infants sinners at birth" hinges in its reply on what is the definition of sin. There are at least two viable definitions of sin: 1) Sin is a state of separation from God which all humans experience, and are born into, as a result of Adam's sin. The so-called "bad acts" we commit are a result of this separation from God. 2) Sin is a knowing, conscious act of disobedience against God. Clearly infants fall under case (1) but not case (2). Apart from this, even given that infants are original sinners under case (1) I have yet to be convinced that baptism is a magic talisman against original sin, nor that such a talisman is necessary. The key question to be answered is the following: Does being born with a sinful nature necessarily mean that one has committed sin just by being born? Steve Timm