Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2002 13:27:48 -0400 (EDT)
From: Michael Straight 
Subject: Re: (urth) Scylla, Oreb and transmigrational chain yanking

On Mon, 22 Apr 2002, Roy C. Lackey wrote:

> First of all, redeemed from what, exactly?  Original sin?
[...]
> It is very hard, if not impossible, to "sin" in any way that is
> not reducible, ultimately, to the animal nature of the species.

Classically, Pride is seen as the chief of sins, and one that is least
connected to our animal nature.  Thought to be the source of 

If angels (e.g. Satan) can sin and fall away from God, it seems consistent
that it would be possible for machines and other non-animal persons.

Also, one conjecture that because humanity is fallen, the machines we
make are subject to the same flaws we are.
 
> Look at Hammerstone; he had his basic, factory-issue value system changed by
> an ignorant priest with a screwdriver! Talk about an epiphany! Did that
> augur save that Iron Man's soul with his meddling, or doom him to hell when
> he got some wires crossed?

Many human beings have biological problems that similarly effect their
behavior.  One imagines/hopes that if people of any sort are held
accountable for their actions, God would take that sort of thing into
account.  One man's half-hearted attempts to belive, repent, and do good 
might produce more apparent virtue than the whole-hearted effort of
another, but perhaps God judges the heart.  And if grace can forgive
intentional sins, it can forgive acts done under the influence of crossed
wires.

-Rostrum

 



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