When is an act a sin, and when is it a crime? Quite often, many acts are both, for example, theft. But sometimes, an act may be a sin, but not a crime. There may be cases where a crime is committed in the eyes of law, but it may not be a sin.
Take, for example, Victor Hugo's 'Les Miserables'. Jean Valjean, a man struggling with poverty and desperation, steals a loaf of bread to feed his sister's starving children. He is caught and sent to prison for 19 years of forced labour. After serving his sentence, he is unable to get employment, due to his criminal record. Kindness of a bishop, Bishop Myriel, leads Valjean to a new life. Valjean breaks his parole - a crime - and becomes wealthy by his own hard work, and he dedicates himself to helping others. Inspector Javert, who relentlessly hounds Valjean, is tormented by the dilemma between Valjean's crime of violating parole and his great virtue.
There is an inherent ethical ambiguity with the distinction between sin and crime, as well as appropriate responses to each. Sin is an offence against divine law or ethical principles. Crime, on the other hand, is a legal violation punishable by the state. While these concepts sometimes overlap, they often diverge. Should society punish wrongdoing based on legal consequences alone, or should it also consider the deeper moral implications of sin? This begets the larger questions about justice, mercy, rehabilitation and society's role in shaping rehabilitation.
In Valjean's case, the forgiving bishop prevails over police inspector obsessed with retribution.
Take, for example, Victor Hugo's 'Les Miserables'. Jean Valjean, a man struggling with poverty and desperation, steals a loaf of bread to feed his sister's starving children. He is caught and sent to prison for 19 years of forced labour. After serving his sentence, he is unable to get employment, due to his criminal record. Kindness of a bishop, Bishop Myriel, leads Valjean to a new life. Valjean breaks his parole - a crime - and becomes wealthy by his own hard work, and he dedicates himself to helping others. Inspector Javert, who relentlessly hounds Valjean, is tormented by the dilemma between Valjean's crime of violating parole and his great virtue.
There is an inherent ethical ambiguity with the distinction between sin and crime, as well as appropriate responses to each. Sin is an offence against divine law or ethical principles. Crime, on the other hand, is a legal violation punishable by the state. While these concepts sometimes overlap, they often diverge. Should society punish wrongdoing based on legal consequences alone, or should it also consider the deeper moral implications of sin? This begets the larger questions about justice, mercy, rehabilitation and society's role in shaping rehabilitation.
In Valjean's case, the forgiving bishop prevails over police inspector obsessed with retribution.
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of www.economictimes.com.)
