smooth

what's interesting is that the catholics parse between original sin, as a cause, and original sin, as an effect. presumably to deal with some of these thorny issues of whether babies are innocent (but not necessarily due to aborition debates--just general discomfort with the notion of babies dying and where they go when they do).


all that to say, adam transmits his sin down through his progeny, but although babies are born with it, it merely predisposes them to sin. not makes them guilty of it. so left to grow up as a normal person, presumably they would eventually sin without grace and salvation.


evangelicals and fundies think that one is sinful at birth. but they parse between when a person is held accountable for their sin. think of the different denominations and whether they baptise as adults or children, and you'll see this split in belief playing out. I think that virtually all (I know of none) denominations do not go so far as to condemn children to hell at birth. that's pretty radical in that it seems inpalatable to the congregation--so it's usually sloughed off on god's grace or a great mystery.


so the real trick becomes why they would oppose abortion, since the actual express train is not the hell--but before the grace of the creator. you'd think they'd rejoice for the baby not having to suffer through a life of sin like they must. just like we might logically expect people to rejoice when their loved ones pass on, at least if they really believe the relative was saved. but that doesn't happen, hopefully it isn't an indication of a lack of faith. but that's not for me to judge

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