Original Sin   Description:  The concept of original sin in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The concept of original sin is completely foreign to Judaism and Eastern Christianity, having achieved acceptance in only the Western Church.  Furthermore, Christian and Islamic concepts of sin are virtual opposites with respect to certain nuances.  For example, there is no concept of “sinning in the mind” in Islam; to a Muslim, an evil thought becomes a good deed when a person refuses to act upon it.  Overcoming and dismissing the evil thoughts which forever assail our minds is considered deserving of reward rather than punishment.  Islamicly speaking, an evil thought only becomes sinful when acted upon. Conceiving good deeds is more contrary to the base nature of man.  Since our creation, if not bound by societal or religious restrictions, humankind has historically dined on the banquet of life with lust and abandon.  The orgies of self indulgence that have carpeted the corridors of history envelop not only individuals and small communities, ... [more]