"Sin lies only in hurting other people unnecessarily. 
All other 'sins' are invented nonsense. 
(Hurting yourself is not a sin - just stupid.)"
Robert A. Heinlein
(1907-1988) American writer
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Reader comments about this quote:
All other sins are invented nonsense...TRUE!
The only power the government has over any of us is the power to enforce laws. So they make lots and lots and lots of them...and most of these "laws" have absolutely nothing to do with justice or protecting your rights. They are there simply to act as a tool of control and tyranny when and wherever the government decides there is a threat to...the government.
 -- J Carlton, Calgary     
    I'm not quite sure how to rate this. Heinlein is using a new definition of sin. Traditionally, a sin is the willful breaking of a law. In a religious context, or that which addresses law outside man's immediate corporeal existence, sin is a very individualistic matter so the quote would get a thumbs down. If Heinlein is using sin in a secular manner, saying that natural law, as it applies to the being - man, is only broken when an innocent third party is involved or hurt, he is very accurate (a 5 star rating) Carlton's accurate depiction of the god / man that create's law so that he might enforce such, describes well the secular application of the quote. Law enforcement is an oxymoron, can one enforce gravity, fiscal law or etc. ? NO ! Compelled compliance, license, victimless crimes, government larceny with impunity, nonrecognition in anyway of inalienable rights, and titles in completely replacing ownership hurts other people, thus - by Heinlein's here use, a sin against humanity.
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
    I have to agree with Heinlein. No matter how you slice it, people call 'sins' whatever they believe them to be, whether they are or not. To me it is irrelevant -- as you sow, so shall you reap -- I don't care what you call your deeds, the results speak for themselves. From my upbringing, a sin is act against God -- I will leave the business of sin to God -- man has been given no authority from God to judge his fellows and condemn them for their sins, that is just man acting as if he were God -- and we have had plenty of that for millennia, and we aren't any better off. 'Sins' are just an excuse for more laws and control.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
    I notice the Liberals are very quiet about today's quotes... Goes to show that in the face of sensible / natural law...."they got Nuthin!" :-)
     -- J Carlton, Calgary     
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