What Are the Differences Between Sin and Crime?

The distinction between right and wrong is different at an individual, societal, and international level. In this relation, we have the concepts of sin and crime. An act or behaviour may be a sin, but it is not necessary that it is punishable by law as well.

What Is Sin?
What Is Crime?
Differences Between Sin and Crime
Conclusion

What Is Sin?

Sin can simply be defined as an action or way of behaving that is not allowed by religion, something considered incorrect by God, or an offence against religious law.

What Is Crime?

Crime can be defined as legal wrong. It’s a form of conduct that has been declared socially harmful in a state and forbidden by law. Defying this law leads to punishment.

Must See: 8 Kinds and Theories of Punishment

Essentials of Crime

These are the essentials of crime:

A crime must be committed by a person.
There must be some harm or injury to another person.
There must be an act (Actus Reus) which is prohibited by law
There must be a guilty mind of the person committing the crime, that is, Mens Rea.

Differences Between Sin and Crime

Let us now discuss the difference between sin and crime.

Sin: Sin is provided in respective religious books of different religions.
Crime: It is the set of rules that are provided in criminal statutes; those are the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), etc.

Sin: It results in violation of rules of religion.
Crime: It includes a breach of law.

Sin: A person committing sin is punished by God.
Crime: A person committing a crime is punished by the state.

Sin: There is no direct harm or injury involved.
Crime: In crime, injury is an essential element.

Sin: The remedy for sin is penance.
Crime: Remedy for crime is subjected to a term of sentence by the court of law.

Sin: A sin is an act or behaviour that is against religion or God’s will.
Crime: Crime is an action against the law.

Sin: It is recognised by God or religion.
Crime: It is recognised by the state or government.

Sin: It is a religious concept.
Crime: It is a legal proposition.

Sin: It is a subjective term and specifically refers to something that has no base to measure a degree of punishability.
Crime: It is the set of rules by social codes of the nation, and on breach of such rules, punishment is provided.

Conclusion

Every crime is a sin, but every sin need not be a crime. For example, adultery is a moral wrong and is considered a sin. At the same time, adultery is not a crime because it is not made punishable under any law in India.

Thus, if a crime is committed, it would be punishable by law, and if a sin is committed, it would be punishable after the death of the sinner (by God).

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Ankita Soni

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Ankita has written this article. She is pursuing B.A.LL.B from Amity University, Madhya Pradesh. She is a passionate law student and explores every opportunity. Ankita is good at legal research and manages her time efficiently.