If all growth occurs in relationships, then sin is the breaking of relationships.
The original break occurred in the Garden of Eden when God and Man were separated by the sin of Adam. The first man declared that he could dispense with God’s love and make it on his own. By alienating himself form the source of life, Adam introduced anxiety, loneliness, despair, and death itself.
God created us in His own image and likeness so that we could share in the awesome work of creation. We also were given free will and the ability to accept or reject God’s love. In choosing to break away from union with God we, like Adam, decide to reject His extended helping hand and go our own way. The ego becomes the substitute for God.
Because of Original Sin, we are at risk in terms of intimacy with God and His creation. In separating ourselves from God and His loving care, we also put in jeopardy any intimacy with fellow creatures. Having no relationship with God, the violation of human contact is easily rationalized. Sin, the breaking of relationships with God and Man is the presence of evil in the world and the source of all misery.