What is Mankind's greatest problem (or need)?

[Tanakh Keeper]

Your explanation of Jewish law should have included murder.

Why? The atonement process is generally the same, no matter the type of error or sin. Does Christianity believe murder is different from any other type of sin? Should murder always be mentioned separately from sin?

I don't consider murder a "mistake".

No? American law sometimes does. There is murder: in self-defense, through negligence, through gross negligence, purposeful, or pre-meditated. In American law, the punishments for different types of murder can range from none-at-all to the death penalty.

What happened to sin?

Christianity defines "sin" differently from Judaism. As a matter of fact, Christianity defines many words differently than Judaism. That's why our beliefs and religions are so different, our glossary is different.

According to Torah, there are three kinds or levels of transgressions ranging in severity from the least serious to the most serious. Chatat is accidental or unintentional. It is usually compared to an archer missing the mark. This is the ONLY type of sin (or error) that can be atoned for by sacrifice. Next is Ovon, which is being led astray or allowing yourself to be led astray. The most serious is Pesha which are deliberate violations of G-d's Law.

[OneFollowingHim]

Why? The atonement process is generally the same, no matter the type of error or sin. Does Christianity believe murder is different from any other type of sin? Should murder always be mentioned separately from sin?

Your description should have encompassed murder. That's what I meant by included. Not that it should have specifically named murder.

Here's your description of atonement:

It’s nice that you are interested. A mistake is “Failing to adhere to a commandment”. To atone for a mistake, we follow the Laws of Teshuvah. 1) Admit that we made a mistake. 2) Make appropriate restitution to whomever we’ve wronged. 3) Ask for forgiveness from the person/people that we’ve wronged 4) Vow not to repeat the mistake and ask for forgiveness from G-d.

What's "appropriate restitution" in the case of any form of murder? Give up your own life? That might be true if you murdred one person. But not if you've murdered more than one.

No? American law sometimes does. There is murder: in self-defense, through negligence, through gross negligence, purposeful, or pre-meditated. In American law, the punishments for different types of murder can range from none-at-all to the death penalty.

In my mind, a mistake is answering incorrectly on a math test or measuring incorreclty when cutting a piece of wood. Sin is far beyond a "mistake". Sin offends a Person, namely God. And the restitution is owed to God because not all offenses involve another human. Take coveting, for example. You need not do anything beyond desire to be guilty of coveting. And so the person offended is God and restitution is owed to Him and Him alone.

You never answered the things in my post #72. If God is involved in any way with our ability to carry out His commands, we alone cannot solve our greatest need.

Christianity defines "sin" differently from Judaism. As a matter of fact, Christianity defines many words differently than Judaism. That's why our beliefs and religions are so different, our glossary is different.

Yes. I very much agree with you on this. That's another thread though.

According to Torah, there are three kinds or levels of transgressions ranging in severity from the least serious to the most serious. Chatat is accidental or unintentional. It is usually compared to an archer missing the mark. This is the ONLY type of sin (or error) that can be atoned for by sacrifice. Next is Ovon, which is being led astray or allowing yourself to be led astray. The most serious is Pesha which are deliberate violations of G-d's Law.

On my view, I agree with James 2:10. One violation of God's commands puts you in the categroy of law breaker. James is correcting an error in Jewish thinking which "taught, ‘that he who observed any principal command was equal to him who kept the whole law,’ and gave for an example the forsaking of idolatry". The treasury of scripture knowledge : Five hundred thousand scripture references and parallel passages. 1995. Introduction by R.A. Torrey. (Jas 2:10). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

I would also refer you to Deuteronomy 27:26.

[Tanakh Keeper]

Your description should have encompassed murder. That's what I meant by included. Not that it should have specifically named murder.

A mistake is “Failing to adhere to a commandment”. To atone for a mistake, we follow the Laws of Teshuvah. 1) Admit that we made a mistake. 2) Make appropriate restitution to whomever we’ve wronged. 3) Ask for forgiveness from the person/people that we’ve wronged 4) Vow not to repeat the mistake and ask for forgiveness from G-d.

Ah, I think you are hung up on the word “mistake” that I posted above. I used that word to avoid commingling with the Christian-errors associated with the word “sin”. It would have been more proper for me to say mistake/error/sin, instead of just mistake. So stated properly, Teshuvah atones for all sins/errors/mistakes that humans make.

What's "appropriate restitution" in the case of any form of murder(s)?

The specifics of “Appropriate restitution” would be adjudicated by the judges hearing the case, and the facts and circumstances thereof.

Sin is far beyond a "mistake". Sin offends a Person, namely God. And the restitution is owed to God because not all offenses involve another human. Take coveting, for example. You need not do anything beyond desire to be guilty of coveting. And so the person offended is God and restitution is owed to Him and Him alone.

This is another huge difference between our religions. According to Torah, G-d created us imperfectly. G-d isn’t offended by our behavior because He made us this way. He knows that we will sin and make mistakes. That is why He gave us the Laws of Teshuvah to atone for our mistakes/sins/errors. G-d isn’t surprised that humans sin and make mistakes, He expects it. He gave us the tools to deal with it. It is up to us humans, with our freewill, to choose the good and forbear the evil.

You are correct that the Teshuvah Laws differ if our offense is just against G-d. In that case, step 3 above (and possibly step 2) would be dropped.

You never answered the things in my post #72. If God is involved in any way with our ability to carry out His commands, we alone cannot solve our greatest need.

I never said we do it alone. Re-read Step 4 of Teshuvah. The final step is asking forgiveness from G-d. G-d is all-Merciful. If we sincerely repent and atone, then He forgives us.

On my view, I agree with James 2:10….

Yes, another difference from G-d’s word and Judaism. Christianity adds an additional set of books and diverges from G-d’s teachings.

[Rainbow Brite]

Yes, another difference from G-d’s word and Judaism. Christianity adds an additional set of books and diverges from G-d’s teachings.

The NT does teach a lot of what Judaism teaches though despite difference in approach, to love the God of Israel and each other, to make amends for sin, a lot of things Gentiles might be without if they had to rely on Judaism to teach it. I mean, most people I know don't know what the heck Noahide is when I mention it. So Christianity serves a purpose.

But to one of your points, how does Judaism teach Gentiles to atone, the command isn't in Noahide or anything. Where would they learn how to do that from Jewish texts or codes?

[Tanakh Keeper]

The NT does teach a lot of what Judaism teaches...

I agree to strongly disagree.

But to one of your points, how does Judaism teach Gentiles to atone, the command isn't in Noahide or anything. Where would they learn how to do that from Jewish texts or codes?

G-d wrote the bible for Jews. Most non-Jews don't know how to read Hebrew, for a start. So they wouldn't be able to read Jewish texts or codes. Non-Jews would learn from our teachers.

[Rainbow Brite]

I agree to strongly disagree.

Ok, then the NT does teach one thing Judaism teaches...

Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

Anyway...

G-d wrote the bible for Jews. Most non-Jews don't know how to read Hebrew, for a start. So they wouldn't be able to read Jewish texts or codes. Non-Jews would learn from our teachers.

Where do Gentiles go to do that? Billions of Gentiles can just pick up the Christian Bible and learn about loving God and each other, you don't need to know Hebrew or a teacher for that. If Judaism was the most correct way, why isn't it reaching more Gentiles in the world, in comparison?

[OneSizeFit]

This is an open discussion on the greatest need of mankind. Is it sin, war, famine, starvation, terrorism, Christianity, Atheism, or what?

I'm looking for some wisdom here. Anyone, theist, atheist, pantheists, whoever is welcome to chime in.

(If this has been discussed previously, then point us to that place.)

Mankind's greatest need is empathy. Man's greatest sin is one of inaction. Ego induced fear is the cause.

[samparker]

I believe man's greatest need (as in desire) is that there be a "bigger picture" or hope. Even for those that are prosperous in this world have a need to believe that there is something after the mortal life.....a reason to go through daily trials and tribulations.

Because of this, I firmly believe that it if it were somehow possible to "prove" the non-existence of God, there would still be "religion".

As for greatest need as in problem, I'd probably say "understanding". This means everything from tolerance toward other races and religions, as well as trying to see any given issue from all sides (your side, my side, and an impartial side).

yes i am agree with you...............