People tend to resist talk of law and sin, partly because they associate it with a particular religion. But it is not confined to any one tradition.
The moral law is built into human life. Everyone, upon reaching moral awareness, recognizes that they should treat others as they themselves wish to be treated. This principle of impartial benevolence is expressed in the Golden Rule, which appears in every major wisdom tradition.
C.S. Lewis illustrated this point. Two people argue about someone’s behavior. One says, “That wasn’t fair; you shouldn’t have done that.” The other defends himself by saying, “I didn’t realize you’d object,” or “I thought it was okay.” Even in defending himself, he still appeals to what is right or wrong, not merely to what he wanted. Both assume there is a standard of right conduct they ought to follow, even if they disagree about how it applies. That assumed standard is the moral law.
The intrinsic value of the good of others is the foundation of our obligation to choose it and the necessary conditions for securing it. This is why the moral law is binding, and why breaking it results in karmic consequences, both in this life and in future lives.
