First Sin--First Crime

Most Christians, and most non-Christians, know at least the basic story of Adam and Eve. According to the bible, they were the first human beings to walk on planet earth, living in idyllic splendor in the Garden of Eden.

Tempted by the fallen angel, Satan, they disobeyed God and committed the “first sin,” or original sin. But, all things considered, let’s just call this sin, a direct interaction with Satan, original sin, and the next sin to be committed the “first sin.”

Adam and eve’s first sons were Cane and Able. Cane envied his brother Able so much he murdered him. This, in many ways, was the first sin, at least at a purely human level. It was also the first crime committed.

It’s not too surprising that crime, the “first sin,” is such a plague on humanity given this understanding.

Crime, sin, is not something we can lay solely at Satan’s feet. Not that grievous crimes committed today can’t be attributed to demonic influence, but in reality, no crime today occurs under quite the same circumstances as did the original sin. Years ago, a well known TV personality popularized the phrase: “the devil made me do it.” If it were that simple, humans would be off the hook.

One of the most frequently asked questions (and sometimes not asked) is, ‘Why did this happen to me?’ If God exists, how could something like this happen? God can’t exist, because if He did, my brother wouldn’t have been murdered, or my sister wouldn’t have been raped, or my grandmother wouldn’t have been robbed, or. . . .

I don’t think this question will ever be answered at the human level. By this I mean, it’s something only God knows, and as long as we occupy earthly real estate and are cloaked in human skin, we simply will never know why bad things happen to, not only good people, but to other bad people too.

If you have been victimized, you are perhaps experiencing pain and anger like never before. You now know the frustration and helplessness that keeps the sun from shining inside your heart like it once did. Your daily thoughts, even your actions, seem altered or uninteresting all of the sudden. The event, the circumstances, go around and around inside your head, ultimately giving life to hatred, depression, even suicide.

If violence took a loved one from your life, you may have one of the hardest roads to travel. Time, and solidarity with other people who grieve as you are grieving, may be what you need. Seek a local grieving support group. The District Attorney’s office, or even a local church, will probably know of a group. Don’t keep it inside, take steps to free yourself of burdens you don’t need to carry.