Original sin: How to talk to your children about original sin

Original sin is one of the most misused of all Christian teachings. However, original sin, as a teaching, is the backbone of the Christian faith. Without original sin being the case, Christ would have died in vain. There are better ways to talk to your children about original sin than sin shaming. 

We as human beings are sinful creatures. God hates all mankind, as mankind has turned his back on Him. We as human beings are depraved and decadent sinners deserving of nothing but punishment. This does not mean children in particular are bad. WE as a species are bad. Human beings are glorified apes in terms of our nature, as there is nothing good about human nature.

Sin shaming is a form of religious child abuse where parents call children "sinners" in the perjorative tense, just for behaving normally as a child naturally does. Sin shaming is prohibited in the Bible. See Ephesians 6:4 KJV:

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

This first stanza states that talk about original sin shouldn't come in the form of sin shaming. The Greek root word translated "provoke...to wrath" is παροργίζο (Latin: parorgizo) and refers here to offenses or damages, namely the slightest of personal offense perceived by a child, stemming from entitlement. Offenses involve refusal to apologize for hurting a child's feelings. One thing that hurts a child's feelings is calling them a "sinner". This sort of sin shaming almost always comes from a parent losing their cool when children do not match up with religious expectations. The key here is to give a formal apology whenever you hurt your child's feelings with sin shaming, such as "I apologize for calling you a 'sinner'", and then commit never shaming your child for their sins ever again, as any parent anger directed towards a child is entitlement, and was seen as entitlement in the Early Church. This commandment cross-references the Eighth and the Tenth Commandments, with the Apostle Paul here convicting a group of Greek Christian parents who brought into the church their pagan parenting customs, which were punitive in nature. Paul, contrary to popular legend was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punitive parenting in his secular writings. Attachment parenting was banned under Roman law, but the Early Christians did it anyway.

This second stanza states how to talk to your child about original sin. The Greek root word translated "admonition" is νουθεσία (Latin: nouthesia) and is more aptly translated as "instruction" in more modern versions of the Bible. The Apostle Paul here was referring to religious instruction. Starting at age 6, fathers left out a Bible, with the Bible being open to the most comforting verses. Children then first learned to read on the Bible. When children were caught in the act of studying the Bible, they were lavishly praised and encouraged to keep on studying  Fathers then interjected something along the lines of "you can ask me anything about that book". From there, religious instruction came in question and answer format, with children being curious about Scripture, and with fathers giving pointers on the context. At some point, many children are going to ask about original sin. The topic usually comes up when children ask "why did Jesus have to die?". When children ask this, you should say "we are all sinners as human beings, and so we need a Savior to save us from our sins". Never call your child a "sinner". Point out how we ALL are sinners as human beings. 

Original sin is something that pertains more to adult believers than children. Children aren't out to get parents with their sinful nature. The sin nature of child-kind is instead primal in nature. The opposite of sin is perfection, and thus the sinful nature of children is simply imperfect. But, aren't we all sinners in the hands of an angry God? Why single out children at all for sin? Parents and other adults should instead focus on their own sins. 

Most children are spiritually curious. They usually dabble in a few religions before choosing their own church family. Much of the time, children actually figure out that they are sinners through their own research into the Bible. But, sometimes they pop the question as to why Christ had to die, in which case children need to be informed as to why we need a Savior - and original sin is the reason for Christ's Sacrifice. 

I myself am a depraved and decadent sinner who is deserving of absolutely nothing. I have no right to call out a child for their sins. I am a sinner, with the core of my decadent nature being in relation to children. I may not have an active sin habit in relation to children currently, but I do have that track record of sins against children. My main sin in my history in relation to children is passions, meaning I fixated on specific children. I have no right to call a child a sinner. Aren't we all sinners in relation to children as adults? 

The depraved and entitled parents who sin shame their children will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them be cast forever into the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death prepared for Satan and his accomplices! Let them descend into the abyss which ss the ever-burning Hell of fire and torrents, suffering God's Wrath day and night forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!