Is "Judge not, that ye be not judged." the only Bible verse that unbelievers know?

Question

It seems that any time that a Christian makes a statement about sin, right and wrong, or Truth, unbelievers howl, "Judge not, that ye be not judged!".

Do you really think you're correcting us with your one-verse theology?

(By the way, that's Matthew 7:1 so you can REALLY sound like you know the Bible!)

Answer 1

The sad truth is that they think we are judging when we are not. We are simply speaking God's Word, witnessing for our Lord Jesus as we are told to do.

So, they can use scripture all they want, but they should know that even satan can quote scripture. They only mouth it, we embrace it.

Answer 2

We appear to know a great deal more about living our lives by the teachings of Christ than you do. I know that some are fond of using Leviticus to denounce same-sex relationships, yet those same people ignore the rest of the Holiness Code contained in Leviticus, such as that eating shellfish or touching a woman when she is in her period of flow are also abominations.

I don't criticize those that do eat shellfish, or wear clothes woven of two cloths, or any other activity that people everyday participate in that are noted in the Bible to be abominations. Why? Because I will not be one of those that judges others. I have no right to do so.

Here's an excellent example of a broadminded, nonbelievers understanding of the Bible. Did you know that those who declare things they find revolting or otherwise disagreeable and declare it so in the eyes of God are actually violating one of the Ten Commandments? It's true! Saying, "G-- d---!" is not taking the Lord's name in vain - thinking that you have the right to say something on God's behalf, putting words in his mouth, is.

As far as "one-verse theology" is concerned, I believe that is what most of those who feel compelled to condemn others are practicing.

Answer 3

And the only verse they know that don't interpret properly! ROFL!!

Jesus concludes at the end of the verse that we ARE to judge, just judge fairly and in doing so not being a hypocrite. If I am engaged in drug use, I have no business judging someone else that does drugs!!!! Unbelievers take that to mean that after you've done your first sin, youre never allowed to call anything sinful anymore because youre just being a hypocrite. LOL.

Answer 4

No... but it is one that fits when certain Christians take it upon themselves to point out every little thing wrong in a Non-Christian. Especially those who love to quote Old Test verses which command death, such as "thou shalt not suffer a witch to live". But then, we could go over both of these verses. The Hebrew states "thou shalt not suffer a Poisoner to live" and the Judge not verse would be better stated "Condemn not, lest you be condemned with the same measure you give out".

Would you like to touch any other "one-verse theologies" such as the Trinity? Or the Rapture? which have foundations only on one verse, in reality... while some throw in other verses that "fit" though not in their original contexts.

Answer 5

They think that by throwing this verse at us it will shut us up and stop us from telling them the total truth of God's love.

Plus it makes them feel they have some knowledge of the bible, and also they are signifying that Christians are Hypocrites, so they quote this verse in anticipation of the fact that it might hit a sore spot in our life and then they can continue on without guilt in their sinful pleasures.

Answer 6

Some of us unbelievers know the scripture quite well, having been academically trained and spent many years in ministry. In point of fact, many atheists I know understand the Christian faith, especially the scripture, far better than your average pastor, let alone the typical lay person. I'm an unbeliever with an M.Th. from an ACTS accredited seminary (among several other earned degrees) and I know dozens just like me. In fact, when I left for seminary my Baptist pastor (with an D.Div. from DTS) warned me that seminary was as likely to make me an atheist as equip me for ministry because I would be exposed to inconvenient truths and information that is never shared in the pulpit or the Sunday school class because it disturbs the faithful. Boy did he ever understate the problem!

It's ironic that as a pastor I shared your same frustration, but with Christians whose command of scripture (let alone comprehension) was comprised of de-contextualized proof texts used as weapons and not for edification. In fact I always witnessed a direct and inverse relationship between ignorance and certitude, where the most hostile advocate of inerrancy and literal interpretation was also the person who routinely quoted Benjamin Franklin maxims believing them to be Biblical proverbs.

I won't bore you with the several views of "judge not" (most of which are aimed at rationalizing a clearly irrational command, since according to scripture everyone is judged, living and dead, so our not judging is no guarantee of immunity from judgment as seems to be implied), but I will caution you against assuming your own experience with unbelievers is general. I've had contact with thousands of humanists, atheists and agnostics through the years, and I haven't heard them try that guilt trip. Most in fact would urge you to apply the same standards of judgment to your religion that you apply to all propositions put forward as objective truth. I did, and I no longer believe what I once accepted so uncritically. I would in fact say that your mis-belief most typically has it's origins in your having been conditioned as a child to exempt the religion you were indoctrinated with from the same rational analysis you would apply to purchasing toilet paper, and had you been born in Islamabad to Muslim parents, you would be here railing against infidels and their ignorance of the Koran.

Answer 7

I spend my whole childhood in Catholic school learning my bible every day. I was in Sunday School every sunday.

When I came of age I started to think for myself, and I realized I didn't have faith in your Christianity. Therefore I am an "unbeliever"... but I know the bible.

My issue with outspoken Christans isn't their beliefs but their self-appointed job to judge everyone they meet. It's not for you to judge *anyone* else. If you're really a believer you know the only judge you should care about is when you meet your Maker. By judging others it tells me a person like that doesn't believe 100% that the bad people will get theirs come judgement day.

Christianity isn't about judging others or trying to control people. It's about doing what is right and knowing it's the way you need to live.

Answer 8

I can't speak for everyone, but as an unbeliever, I know more verses than that one.

Answer 9

of course not. maybe it is commonly used because they feel that they are being heavily judged by christians. some christians judge quickly and harshly with hellfire and some are kind and well-meaning. the world is divided by more lines than "believers" and "nonbelievers."

aren't there better things for us to be doing rather than sniping at each other over who is correcting whom?

Answer 10

Judging a person's soul is different from discernment.

We are encouraged to discern the true from the false. We are encouraged to rebuke others when justified. We are permitted to call infidels as we see them.

None of this is judgment of a person's soul. It is discernment of a person's words, actions, and ideas, to determine whether they are righteous or not.

God is the only competent judge of human souls. This is his territory, and we are forbidden to enter it.

But as for discernment, it is required.

Answer 11

AMEN. I'm always willing to explain Scripture to someone who's genuinely curious, but I've had it up to my touchas with folks who comment on things they know nothing about.

Peace.

EDIT: "Sandy," amen to you, too. I wrote the same thing about two weeks ago and got so many thumbs down I couldn't believe it. You're completely correct.

AJ: thanks for proving my point that unbelievers shouldn't quote Scripture!

Black Parade Billie: My 13 year old could answer those questions.