Is Usury still a sin?

[Nerd Fangs]

And will regular people, except I guess, people who are in countries that enforce Islamic Banking, who own bank accounts, be guilty of committing this sin? Is this just something Christian society just decided to overlook?

[Sargeras0000]

What source do you use as a basis for deciding whether or not an action is a sin?

[AngryOnion]

Its only a sin if a Jew charges another Jew interest on a loan.
Muslims don't charge each other interest either.
I think Jesus had the right idea when he kicked over some tables and got royally pissed.
In case you don't know what I'm talking about hears a wiki.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_a...money_changers

[Nerd Fangs]

Originally Posted by Sargeras0000

What source do you use as a basis for deciding whether or not an action is a sin?

The Bible in this example at least.. the Qur'an is applicable too, in countries that don't use Islamic banking. And I think even using the word Usury is specific enough in context to define the sin.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usury#Religious_context

Originally posted by The Old Testament:

[Exodus 22:25] "If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury."

[Leviticus 25:36] Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee."

[Leviticus 25:37] Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase."

[Deuteronomy 23:19] Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury: "

[Deuteronomy 23:20] Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it."

Originally posted by the Qur'an:

Those who charge usury are in the same position as those controlled by the devil's influence. This is because they claim that usury is the same as commerce. However, God permits commerce, and prohibits usury. Thus, whoever heeds this commandment from his Lord, and refrains from usury, he may keep his past earnings, and his judgment rests with God. As for those who persist in usury, they incur Hell, wherein they abide forever (Al-Baqarah 2:275)

God condemns usury, and blesses charities.God dislikes every disbeliever, guilty. Lo! those who believe and do good works and establish worship and pay the poor-due, their reward is with their Lord and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve. O you who believe, you shall observe God and refrain from all kinds of usury, if you are believers. If you do not, then expect a war from God and His messenger. But if you repent, you may keep your capitals, without inflicting injustice, or incurring injustice. If the debtor is unable to pay, wait for a better time. If you give up the loan as a charity, it would be better for you, if you only knew. (Al-Baqarah 2:276-280)

O you who believe, you shall not take usury, compounded over and over. Observe God, that you may succeed. (Al-'Imran 3:130)

And for practicing usury, which was forbidden, and for consuming the people's money illicitly. We have prepared for the disbelievers among them painful retribution. (Al-Nisa 4:161)

The usury that is practiced to increase some people's wealth, does not gain anything at God. But if people give to charity, seeking God's pleasure, these are the ones who receive their reward many fold. (Ar-Rum 30:39)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riba

[L33tz]

Originally Posted by angryonion

.
I think Jesus had the right idea when he kicked over some tables and got royally pissed.
In case you don't know what I'm talking about hears a wiki.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_a...money_changers

yes

[Ambient]

"Usury" I assume is no longer a sin, given that it is rampant.

[ArmsMerchant]

The final version of the list consists of wrath, avarice, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony."

Above is from the wiki on the seven deadly sins. I think that the bankers' actions today would fall under avarice, with a side order of pride.

[Rizzo in a box]

Originally Posted by Devotion

"Usury" I assume is no longer a sin, given that it is rampant.

I don't really think that just because a lot of people do it that its suddenly not a sin anymore, whether or not it originally was or was not.