Sin

Definition

A sin is not an offense against the laws of the state (which is called a crime), but against a certain religion. Sin only makes sense within the context of that religion.

Most major crimes (like murder and theft) will be considered sins by most religions. The converse is not necessarily true.

An agnostic or an atheist can commit crimes, but since he or she does not accept or recognize the existence of a divine authority, by definition, cannot sin.

There is something somewhat arbitrary about the concept of sin, since people are allowed to change religions, and some religions consider sin things that others don't.

Since the definition of sin only occurs in a religious context, the state cannot punish sin, unless the sin is also a crime. In a multicultural and multireligious society, not all sins can be crimes, since no one religion is supposed to be prevalent.

If all sins, as defined by a certain religion, were made crimes, there would be a high probability that the constitutionally mandated separation between Church and State would be violated.