BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Islam The Unforgivable Sin - Explained

www.bellaonline.com/articles/art44819.asp


A further explanation of the unforgivable sin.

The ego even gets us into tons of trouble trying to satisfy it in earthly ways.

Yes Susan, the ego is our enemy.

The Quran says, 'the human being wants what it does not need and needs what it does not want'. The ego takes us away from God and as you say demands earthly ways.

Thanks for this article Linda. I was just reading somewhere that if we continue to only focus on what we want rather than what we need, we will never be whole.

Thanks Deanne, after I typed that reply to Susan so many things happened that proved the point. I also had an email and a phone call that were both about needing rather than wanting.


Enjoy your Journey of the Dreamer Workshop Deanne, I read about it on your website. Happy travels.

So Linda, why do you think it's an "unforgivable" sin?

I have always felt that anything can be forgiven... so wonder if this is because "wanting" puts us in a place where we can't accept forgiveness?

Hey Linda,

Great article. As a believers we must understand that he provides us of what we need and not what we want. I love how your articles remind us of things that we often take for granted. Thanks for sharing!

The sin of idolatry is unforgivable if practiced until death, because it shows a lack of gratitude and belief in the Creator who gives us everything we could need or want on Earth. We are told idolatry is harmful to our souls.

Wanting is the ego demanding, as Susan put it, satisfaction for earthly things. Needing is a requirement of existence. We need food, water and air. We want money, fame and fortune. Wanting something and not getting what we want can make us angry and frustrated, not getting something that we need can make us ill and even cause death.

God forgives those who repent and forgo idolatry.

Well that's what I think Deanne!

Thank you for your support Tuculia.

You are more than welcome Linda!

Great article, Linda! I learn so much from you. In Christianity, the unforgivable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which has been recognized since the days of Augustine as final impenitence. In other words, it is quite akin to the unforgivable sin in Islam - not recognizing (and living your life in accord with) your dependence on God.

Thank you Laura. Yes they are similar, as you say, we do not recognize our dependence on God. Well put! Who else but God can we depend upon.

Linda, love this article. You did the greatest job of explaining. I was impressed with how you informed us about Satan and how humans are free to choose.

You've got other articles I need to read as well.

Thank you.

Who are these false idols though? A can understand if someone was worshipping Satan, but it's plural. And what's the difference between looking up to someone and admiring them, to them being idolised in your eyes? I need to catch up here LOL

Hi Steven

The false idols are anything or anyone, worshiped alongside or instead of God.

Satan yes, other human beings, dead or alive, such as saints and prophets are worshiped. Animals and nature are also worshiped by some human beings. Some people totally deny God and worship their own ego as a god and follow Satan as a god.

Admiring someone is not the same as idolising them. I admire our BellaOnline editors for all their hard word, but I do not pray to them or ask them for anything. But if I needed help I would ask God to send someone to help me rather than asking someone for help. Or I would ask God to send me the means to help myself. It never fails me.

There are many forms of idolatry but the main form is worship and imploring others besides or instead of God. Worship is for God alone.

Linda

Oh Good, I think I was overthinking it LOL. Thank-you Linda for the explanation. I was worried about my film star posters then LOL - but I don't pray to them obviously LOL. It's a really well written piece, I just wanted to clarify that as it's a question I've always wanted to be certain of.

The dictionary's definition of idolatry.

1. the religious worship of idols.

2. excessive or blind adoration, reverence, devotion, etc.

Origin:
1200�50; Middle English - idolatrie - Medieval Latin by haplology from Late Latin; Greek(NT) eidlolatre�a.

�Related forms
self-i�dol�a�try, - ego

Synonyms
obsession, madness, mania.