Sins Public and Private

Sins: Every human who has come and gone on the face of earth and lived to the age of reason has sinned. Small or tall, skinny or fat, black, red, white, yellow, Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist or pick a religion, we are all sinners. 
     

Sinning has been popular since the dawn of humanity; even before the sons of Adam and Eve had that little falling out which resulted in the bad one killing the good one. Sin was created to show us that it is all about paying a price for taking part in something we know, consciously or subconsciously, is wrong. Nevertheless, we all keep aiding Satan, the King of all that's Bad, Mr. Evil. 
     
Regardless of the origin of the word, in every form of translation, religion and culture, Sin has similar meaning and definition. 
     
 Sin" and "punishment" have been paired words since the beginning of human creation. We all have been taught that heaven is awaiting the good-doers and the way to hell is paved with the blood of billions who didn't harken to the angels. When we see bad things happen to presumably good people, we may be seeing payback for hidden sins. I may be reluctant to accept everything said about sin but I am sure that if/when I do bad, it will eventually catch up with me and I will get my comeuppance. Or, in the vernacular of our time, "What goes around comes around." 
     
From early childhood, our parents told us we shouldn't do this or that because it is a sin and we will surely go to hell if we do it. What about those who don't believe in heaven or hell? Do they get a free pass to enjoy a life of no-nos? Sin, for the non-believers, translates as a conscious reaction to something that might directly or indirectly hurt or impact someone's life. In my opinion, everyone should have a conscience; regardless of whether or not they believe in God or heaven or hell. And strongly believe, we need to stay away from those who don't 
     
Ok, we got it. But, one might ask, "Is it a sin if one knows something is bad but does it anyway because it benefits him/herself?" What is meant by public and private sins? 
     
In Islam, good deeds are expected to bring prosperity in this life to the "do-gooder." On the other hand, an "evil-doer" will pay for his/her transgressions in both this life and the afterlife. 
     
That is a steep hill to climb. To the casual observer of life, it doesn't seem to be working out that way. Too often, it seems, the good guys are at the bottom of every pit while the bad guys scoot right on up the ladder to success. 
     
So, what, one might ask, is going on in the world? Have the angels fallen asleep on the job or have the rules changed? Why are the good-doers dying of hunger while the evil doers just keep making a mint? 
     
According to Islam (and I am paraphrasing God Himself here) a good heart is the only place Satan cannot enter. But, when the little nagging voice of our conscience goes silent and we no longer hear it saying, "Hey, what are you doing? This is wrong," and that, God says, is when evil has taken charge of our heart. That is when the person will not even blink at the biggest of sins. God said when that happens, He no longer wants to hear that sinner begging for forgiveness. He told the angels, "No more, please, from this person. Give him/her what he/she wants; just make him/her be quiet." 
     
These are the people we see prospering from evil; selling drugs, porn and gambling to millions, even though they know it harms people, puts them out of jobs and stretches them to limit. But, hey, the evil-doers see these as business decisions, nothing personal. They might even say, "What the heck? Money is sweet. I have found dummies who like it. It is not my fault if they fall." Wrong. God says that misleading anyone is our fault. He tells us that while the sinner laughs all the way to bank; we laugh at him all the way to hell. 
     
So, is his sin public or private? A public sin hurts others; one person, ten or ten thousand. Bin Laden committed a public sin. Hitler committed public sins. Saddam and Khomeini committed public sins.
    
    A sex change operation, on the other hand, is an example of a private sin. 
     
Private sins are forgivable. If you are really good at negotiating, you might get away with them. I'm kidding. But still, if you have a dang good reason, don't be afraid to speak up. God is great. He considers all the options. He will not judge us before we can open our mouths or whack us before judging. 
     
If someone has committed a public sin, Dear Lord, help him. A person who has committed a public sin will face his victims on resurrection day. He/she will be asked, "Why?" and they better have a very good reason, particularly if that sin has to do with taking a life because the only one in charge of giving and taking life is the Lord God Himself. When we take a life, we essentially tell God, "You are not in charge, I am." God will ask why it happened and if there is a shred of egotism in that decision, that sinner will reside in hell until God decides otherwise. 
     
If the sinner offers a reason for his/her sin, God will poll all those who lost their lives because of that sin. Until they all forgive the person, that man or woman will pay. If the victims forgive the person, God will do likewise. 
     
Some will note that there is likely to be a long delay between now and resurrection day. So, what happens in the mean time? Is the guy just taking a vacation? The answer is: Two of God's angels will question that person in his/her grave. If he/she says, "Sorry 'about that", quotes the Koran and asks for a "do over", the angels will say, "No, your time is ended." But, if the people, or their souls, who have been hurt forgive the sinner and ask God for mercy, He will grant it. 
     
Don't count on this long-shot reprieve. How often do we see a victim say, "I forgive you for killing me?" This is not to scare us but to enlighten us. Sins are like the air we breathe, or, better yet, like uranium which doesn't expire but only changes form. That is why the fathers of our fathers who committed sins are still paying. 
     
It will last an eternity. My advice to everyone who reads this column today is: Make a list of all the people who you think you have hurt in your life, find them and apologize while you can because we are not coming back. One day you will either regret you didn't do it or be glad you did.