Not a straw man at all. I grasp it all and you are demonstrating that. The personal (subjective) is in your definition. You're just saying it isn't. Intent is personal and subjective in its definition. It is not some objective thingie. Knowledge is not objective; it's personal and subjective as well as, perhaps, taking in something of what is shared understanding with others. 



But, btw, sin is never "simply" anything. It's complicated to disregard or disobey your mother, and would be very much so for me, especially given how long ago she died. I don't know that that makes her any less real to me or to God. She showed the face of God, but I don't see any point in "comparing" her to God. I would have to say that I was taught in Catholicism that we are God's hands and feet and are supposed to be making God real to others. Not a competition between us and God. :-)