sin against (someone or something)
To do or say something that is considered an offence against a particular person, place, principle, idea, etc. This disgusting novel, if you must call it such, sins against the very soul of literature. I just don't know how anyone can support a man who has sinned against his own country with such inflammatory language!
sin against someone or something
to offend or desecrate someone or something sacred or revered. The critic said that Walter sinned against the poet when he read the poem in a sarcastic manner. I would say that Walter sinned against poetry, not just one poet.