text: religious survey? 1. what is sin?  2. are all people sinners?  3. do people become sinners because they sin or do they sin because they are sinners?  4. what is god's penalty for sin, if any?  5. are there penalties that occur on earth for sins in a person's daily life? 1)  sin is literally defined as missing the mark, as in archery.  no one is able to live up to the standards held by god (except for jesus).  2)  yes - except for jesus  3)  people are born into sin.  just look at a young child.  ask him or her if they ate the cookie and they'll lie - even when no one has ever taught them how to lie.    4)  death - separation from god.  5)  for a christian, you are not in fellowship with god.  repentance and request for forgiveness restores the fellowship.  i don't believe that you will ever lose your salvation, as jesus said that you are in his hands and he is not fumble fingered.      for the non-christian, it keeps you from a relationship with god.  to alleviate that, one must accept the free gift of salvation provided by jesus death on the cross and his resurrection, repent (turn away from) sin.