Marlon: "Have you guys ever thought that sins are like trees?"
Riri(raising an eyebrow): "What do you mean?"
Marlon: "Well, I've been thinking about the concept of original sin and inherited sin. In some religions, there's a distinction between major and minor sins, right? What if we trace it back—what if the Seven Deadly Sins are the roots, and the major sins are just branches that grow out of our basic human tendencies?"
Romo(leaning back in his chair): "Hold on. Original sin is more of a theological concept, tied to the human condition after the fall. But you're linking it to the Seven Deadly Sins? What's the connection?"
Marlon: "Let me explain. Take shirk for example—considered one of the gravest sins in our religion. I don't think it exists in isolation. There's usually a deeper trigger. Someone might commit shirk because of envy, or greed, or even anger."
Riri(inhaling slowly): "So you're saying… someone who's envious of another's wealth might be tempted to take shortcuts—doing things that go against their faith?"
Marlon: "Exactly! Just look at how some people go to shamans or spiritualists to get rich. That's driven by greed or envy. They want something they can't achieve through normal means, so they seek alternative routes. The shirk comes later—after they've already fallen into one of the primary sins."
Romo(frowning): "But it's still shirk, right? No matter what the cause, once someone invokes powers other than God, that's clearly wrong. So why trace it back to envy or greed?"
Marlon: "Because if we understand the root, we might prevent the fruit from growing. We can't just tell people 'don't commit shirk' without exploring how someone ends up there. If we know that envy or greed is the entry point, we can start educating people from a young age to manage those feelings."
Riri(nodding thoughtfully): "So you're kind of proposing a hierarchy of sins? The Seven Deadly Sins at the base, and the major sins as their offspring?"
Marlon: "More or less. Like, murder could stem from wrath. Corruption—from greed. Adultery—from lust. All these major sins have an 'ancestor' among the Seven Deadly Sins."
Romo(chuckling softly): "Interesting theory, but it's risky if taken too far. By that logic, are you saying that everyone who's ever felt envy is bound to commit shirk?"
Marlon: "Not necessarily. It's like fire—it can warm you or burn you. We all feel envy or anger. But if we're aware of it and know how to manage it, we won't fall into greater sins. The real issue is that most people don't even realize when they're heading down that road."
Riri(exhaling): "What about minor sins, then? Are they also branches of the Deadly Sins?"
Marlon: "Here's the interesting part! Minor sins are like seeds. If left unchecked, they grow into something worse. For example, a small lie might seem harmless, but it can become a habit. That habit can lead to manipulation, and even betrayal. It starts with a tiny crack, but if you don't fix it, it grows into something tied to pride or greed."
Romo(tapping the table): "But here's the key question, Mar. If, as you say, all major sins come from the Seven Deadly Sins, does that mean we can never escape sin? I mean, those base tendencies are with us from birth."
Marlon: "That's exactly why we need to understand and manage them—not reject them blindly. We can't pretend we're never angry, never jealous, never greedy. What we can do is be conscious of them. If we're aware of our envy, we can turn it into motivation instead of destruction. If we know we're angry, we can channel it into something productive. The Seven Deadly Sins aren't just sins—they're human potentials that can either build or destroy, depending on direction."
Riri(smiling faintly): "So instead of condemning sin, you think we should try to understand why it happens?"
Marlon: "Bingo. We can't remove fire from the world, but we can learn how to use it properly."
Romo(sighing): "You always have a unique way of looking at things, Mar. But still, in religion, a sin is a sin. There are clear rules on what's right and wrong. We can't always dissect it academically. Sometimes, faith itself is enough to guide us."
Marlon(laughing): "And that's where we usually clash, Rom. I need to understand before I can believe, while you believe because you already understand."
Riri(raising her coffee cup): "As always, your debates never end. But I do love how both of you think."
They all laughed. The discussion wasn't over—but at least, they were walking away with new questions to carry home.