Why do we need to be "forgiven" for original sin?

[WesleyF]

" By yielding to the tempter, Adam and Eve committed a personal sin, but this sin affected the human nature that they would then transmit in a fallen state. It is a sin which will be transmitted by propagation to all mankind, that is, by the transmission of a human nature deprived of original holiness and justice. And that is why original sin is called “sin” only in an analogical sense: it is a sin “contracted” and not “committed” - a state and not an act." (CCC 404)

“Although it is proper to each individual, original sin does not have the character of a personal fault in any of Adam’s descendants.” (CCC 405)

“By Baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as all punishment for sin.” (CCC 1263)

If “original sin” refers to a state and not an act, why do we need to be forgiven for it?

 

[bmullins]

" By yielding to the tempter, Adam and Eve committed a personal sin, but this sin affected the human nature that they would then transmit in a fallen state. It is a sin which will be transmitted by propagation to all mankind, that is, by the transmission of a human nature deprived of original holiness and justice. And that is why original sin is called “sin” only in an analogical sense: it is a sin “contracted” and not “committed” - a state and not an act." (CCC 404)

“Although it is proper to each individual, original sin does not have the character of a personal fault in any of Adam’s descendants.” (CCC 405)

“By Baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as all punishment for sin.” (CCC 1263)

If “original sin” refers to a state and not an act, why do we need to be forgiven for it?

The punishment for sin is death. It doesn’t matter if you ‘contract’ it from someone else, or commit it and bring it on yourself… you are still affected by the repercussion. The thing is being in a state of grace is what is required. If you are in a state of sin… you are not in a state of grace.

 

[WesleyF]

The punishment for sin is death. It doesn’t matter if you ‘contract’ it from someone else, or commit it and bring it on yourself… you are still affected by the repercussion. The thing is being in a state of grace is what is required. If you are in a state of sin… you are not in a state of grace.

But in that case, I merely need to cleansed of original sin, not forgiven. Why forgive me for someone else’ fault?

 

[mdcpensive1]

I don’t think you need to be “forgiven” for original sin, but we use the word because it has sin in the name. Forgiveness is something that needs to be given to the one who commits sin, so if it is something that needs forgiveness, then Adam and Even would be the ones who need forgiveness. We had nothing to do with it.

You are correct in saying that “original sin” is what effects our humanity in the sense we don’t have the preternatural gifts which would have included santifying grace if they had not sinned. A condition is not a sin unless you are Jewish believing that it carries into the fourth generation.
mdcpensive1

 

[bmullins]

Remember that forgiveness is synonymous with the word pardon. You aren’t being forgiven for something you have done, but for a debt you won’t have to pay. If someone owes me 50 dollars, and I tell them don’t worry about it, I’ve forgiven that debt. If someone’s father owes me 50 bucks, and legally after his father dies, they owe me that 50 bucks… and I say don’t worry about it… I’ve still forgiven the debt.

 

[mdcpensive1]

Since Adam and Eve “walked with God”, they had sanctifying grace that could have been passed on to us. They lost their closeness to God “sanctifying grace” and could not pass it on to us, their children. It is not our sin but a result of our sin. It is like saying that if we loose all our money at a poker table our house sins because the mortgage can no longer be paid. That was not the house’s fault but the gambler’s.

mdcpensive1

 

[EricFilmer]

Original sin (among other things) is about what the human race was intended to inherit. Adam and Eve were initially immortal beings enjoying a state of life free from pain, suffering, toil and death. And, as mdcpensive1 stated, they experienced grace-filled lives. These gifts were to be shared with their descendants. Original sin caused these gifts to be rescinded because they are incompatible with the life of someone who has fallen from grace. In a manner-of-speaking, Adam and Eve wasted our inheritance, but Jesus restored it.