Original Sin: From Narcissism to Virtue

Posted by G.R. Prasadh Gajendran, May 30, 2025

In John 8:7, Jesus challenges a judgmental crowd with the words, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at them.” This profound statement highlights a universal truth: no one is free from fault. Yet, in modern society, we often point fingers at corrupt politicians and bureaucrats while overlooking our own complicity. Most citizens, like their leaders, are Situated In Narcissism, Nepotism, and Naivietism (the “3Ns”), a state of moral and social failing akin to “original sin.” These traits—self-centeredness, favoritism, and blind trust—perpetuate corruption in both public and private spheres, as noted in The Dangerous 3Ns & The Empowering 3Es.

Stoning, as referenced in scripture, is not a punishment under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), nor is it a solution. Instead, we must focus on shunning the corrupt and stopping corruption through systemic and personal transformation. The antidote to the 3Ns lies in cultivating the opposite of sin: Virtus—a Very Informed, Rational, Trustable, Utilitarian Soul. By embracing the “3Es”—Education, Empowerment, and Ethics—we can move from abuse to awakening, fostering a society rooted in virtue.

The 3Ns: Narcissism, Nepotism, Naivietism

• Narcissism: Self-interest drives both citizens and leaders to prioritize personal gain over collective good, from politicians amassing wealth to individuals seeking status at others’ expense.
• Nepotism: Favoring family or friends undermines meritocracy, evident in political dynasties and everyday hiring practices that bypass qualified candidates.
• Naivietism: Blind trust in leaders or systems allows corruption to flourish, as citizens fail to question or hold accountable those in power.

These traits mirror the crowd in John 8:7, quick to judge but blind to their own flaws. Just as Jesus called for self-reflection, we must recognize our role in perpetuating systemic corruption.

The Path to Virtus: The 3Es

To counter the 3Ns, we propose the 3Es, inspired by the referenced blog, as a framework for personal and societal reform:

1. Education: Knowledge is the foundation of a rational, informed soul. Citizens must educate themselves on governance, policies, and candidates’ track records. This mirrors India’s spouse selection process, where families scrutinize backgrounds for compatibility. In elections, voters should demand transparency, using tools like public records and candidate debates to make informed choices.
2. Empowerment: An empowered populace actively participates in democracy, holding leaders accountable. Just as semi-arranged marriages in India allow couples to consent after interaction, voters should engage with candidates through forums and question their promises. Empowerment also means rejecting nepotism by supporting merit-based systems in all spheres.
3. Ethics: A trustable, utilitarian soul prioritizes collective welfare. Ethical behavior—whether in voting, hiring, or daily interactions—rejects narcissism and naivietism. By shunning corrupt individuals and systems, citizens can enforce accountability, akin to Jesus’ call to drop the stones of judgment and embrace humility.

Shunning and Stopping Corruption

Stoning is neither legal nor moral, but shunning corrupt actors is a powerful alternative. This involves:

• Social Accountability: Publicly calling out unethical behavior through media, protests, or voting out corrupt leaders.
• Systemic Reform: Implementing fool-proof and fooling-proof processes, like the three-step method for candidate selection (Screening, Engagement, Validation), inspired by India’s rigorous spouse selection traditions.
• Personal Virtue: Cultivating Virtus by rejecting the 3Ns in our own actions—choosing fairness over favoritism, skepticism over naivety, and service over self-interest.

From Sin to Virtue

The “original sin” of the 3Ns binds us to cycles of corruption and errorism, but Virtus offers liberation. By adopting the 3Es, we transform from complicit bystanders to active architects of a just society. Jesus’ challenge in John 8:7 reminds us to look inward before casting blame. Let us shun corruption, stop its spread, and build a future where informed, rational, and ethical souls lead with trust and utility, both in our homes and our Houses of Parliament.