Post #144 ".The Masculine, the Feminine, and Sin"

The question as to what denotes sin looms menacingly. Is sin intentional or is sin representational? Do we sin through the intention to sin or do we sin because of our circumstances; through who we are? To look deeper into this issue of sin and how this effects the issue of masculine and feminine, let's return once more to the biblical/mythological Garden of Eden story. Did Adam sin in eating the apple or was he lured into eating the apple? If he ate the apple intentionally he was fully responsible, however, if he was lured into eating the apple against his better judgement, he was less responsible. No doubt, Eve is fully responsible not only for herself but also for having enticed Adam. Of course, all of this has sexual implications. The stance taken by the church is obvious. The sin was on the female, even before sin existed, even before the apple was eaten. The man was incapable of sinning on his own. Religion has presented sin differently in different circumstances dependant on the male view or the female view, believer or non-believer, powerful or vulnerable, Christian or Jew. white or black, rich or poor. Is it a matter of sin or does sin depend on who you are?

The masculine, as representative of God is able to be lured into sin through the wiles of the feminine. The sin is the sin of the feminine. The feminine becomes sin. Sin becomes the feminine. The masculine is created in God's image (the feminine is created in Adam's image from a rib in his side) and as such are Sons of God and heirs of God's kingdom. As God's sons and heirs, the masculine is said by religion to be incapable of sinning on his own. Sin cannot possible reside in him. Religion has presented sin as representational, that the feminine is inferior to the male and not only inferior but opposite, If the male is human the female is not human but sub-human, incapable of thinking or able to be trusted on her own. She must be kept out of the market place and confined to the rooms of her home, bearing children. Sin is representational of who she is. Keep in mind here, that the early church, according to documented church history, considers only the masculine as true humanity and the feminine as sub-human. An example would be the philosophy of Augustine, a canonized saint of the church, (The Philosophy of Augustine pps354-430) who equated women with sexuality which was considered inferior to men's ability to contemplate God through Reason and also as reflecting the image of God. It said that women were created for sexual service, hence their bodies reflected only sexual function. Further, the church said that women were incapable of Reason, hence, incapable of thinking or controlling their own impulses. Is there any wonder that history is filled with the abuse and degradation of women. As the church set the moral code the church is responsible.