If one were to look at it as an allegory they might reason that our first ancestors chose to determine how to best govern themselves (the knowledge of right and wrong) rather than continue with the guidance and recommendations of the god figure (the way of life). Therefor the conclusion of the god figure was that the societies we would create would be corrupted by our more primitive natures and all their descendants there-by corrupted as well by the choice they had made to be autonomous of god.

IMO, this conclusion is in keeping with the teachings of the remainder of the documents and what we see in the society’s we humans have created as far back as history records. Perhaps it’s just difficult for us to understand that by the Bible's definition sin needn’t be intentionally malicious just actions that are ultimately destructive.


P.S. The reason for the snake character -as revealed in Revelations- is that ultimately it will be the tempter (devil) who is judged as responsible for all our sins for having knowingly and maliciously lead us astray.

Eli