i read this on the bus this morning:

“human beings invented original sin because the alternative hypothesis was worse. better to be at the center of a universe whose terrors are all a direct result of our own failings, than to be helpless victims of random and largely malevolent forces.”

-a.s. byatt, from babbel tower

yup, i think that pretty much sums up christianity. being the recovering catholic that i am, i can’t really speak for other world religions, but i think byatt hit the nail on the head with that one.