What is the real nature of sin?  And if grace is true, how far does it truly extend?

I’m not a huge fan of Mr Diety. It essentially plays on the worst hypocrisies and stereotypes of faith and Christianity, although its irreverence has made me laugh from time to time.  But this video got me really thinking. (ht)

Real life skeptic Dr. Michael Shermer, who is Founding Publisher of Skeptic magazine, Executive Director of the Skeptics Society, and columnist for Scientific American, pleads his case before Jesus and Mr. Deity at the judgment seat. Shermer was actually a Christian in college and professed to being a born again Christian, but then chose to use his rational and critical mind, and eventually walked away from faith.  He says to God, “I used the brain you gave me to think critically and skeptically.  I developed some doubts, I admit…my sincerity dropped.”

And then Shermer poses an interesting question. “But wait.  Shouldn’t doubt and insincerity, as sins, be covered under the same category as lying?”

The look on Jesus’ and Mr. Diety’s face is really interesting because Shermer has produced a fascinating argument that calls into question our traditional understanding of sin.  Is there really a line in which certain sins are NOT covered by grace? Or does is grace something that extends far beyond our traditional understanding?

Interested in your thoughts.