...whether you are truly of that faith or not?
I have seen people here contradict what others claim to be. For example, one Y!Answerer claimed to be an atheist and a buddhist, and another person told her that is not possible. Does she not have the right to define her own faith?
There again, I have a friend who has had an abortion, and engages in pre-marital sex, yet claims she is Catholic. Do I have the right to judge her and say she is not?
Your thoughts on the issue, please.
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2007-02-02 12:54:35 · 11 answers · asked by Chickyn in a Handbasket 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
WeeMaryAnn, I would never tell her that I didn't consider her a Catholic. My feeling is that as I am *not* of that faith, I am in no position to judge her.
These are good answers! : )
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2007-02-02 13:09:52 · update #1
Everyone has the right to judge, but no one is obliged to take such judgments into account.
2007-02-02 12:57:39 · answer #1 · answered by Malcolm Knoxville 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the first case, people can be confused or ignorant. It is highly possible to be an atheist and a Buddhist, since the Buddha refused to answer questions about the gods and about divinity. Hinayana Buddhism (the kind practiced in Thailand) is faithful to this. As for having the right to define your own faith - yes, of course, but: Religion is a serious topic. Saying "I believe that cats will save the world" may be true for you, but it's still silly. Do I have the right to call anyone silly? Sure I do.
As for the second question, I have met very few Catholics I would consider true Catholics, and this is even more true for Christians. Very few people truly understand their own faith, let alone live it. Do you have the right to say she isn't a real Catholic? Sure you do. But ultimately, what does it matter? It's her soul that's at stake, not yours. You can still love her even if you disapprove of her (not easy, but it can be done).
2007-02-02 21:05:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Technically, Buddhism is indeed an atheistic belief system since there's no deity involved.
I think we have to take people at their word. Hitler never repudiated the Catholic church, even swore in public that he would always be a Catholic -- so I won't argue that he was really something else.
In theory, membership shouldn't matter. The Internet has made the basic texts of all belief systems widely available; anyone who has studied up a little should be able to measure a person's behavior against the yardstick of their professed faith. It's like holding a politician to his/her campaign promises (with slightly better chances of success).
Your friend probably won't appreciate your pointing out the conflict between her faith and her actions. What's more important to you: being right, or being friends?
2007-02-02 21:04:29 · answer #3 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, Buddha was at most agnostic himself. There is a story about the Buddha discussing how there could not be a creator god. I've read others that say if there are gods they are immaterial to an individuals enlightenment. That is something they need to work on their own.
I tend to take people for their word that they are what ever religion (or lack of) they say they are.
2007-02-02 21:00:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No,I do not think anyone has the right to judge others. And i am the biggest hypocrite for saying so,too! My neighbor is an alckie,and I can't stand her! Parties alla time,and I called her a drunken wh*re tonight. I called a spade a spade,but I shouldnt judge her for what she does. so sue me.But,no,i do not think others have the right to judge us. Only judgerment is reserved for The One Above.
2007-02-02 21:00:59 · answer #5 · answered by Dragonflygirl 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Buddhists are atheist, so the Y!A responder you mentioned is a moron.
As to your friend, it doesn't seem she is a very strong catholic.
You have a right to speak your mind. Everyone else has a right not to listen.
2007-02-02 21:00:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. Jesus said judge not that ye be not judged. For the measure with which you measure will be measured unto you. No one has the right to judge anyone except God.
Have a grace filled day
2007-02-02 21:07:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. One of the fundamentals points of democracy and free thinking is the capacity to evaluate another points of views.
2007-02-02 21:04:32 · answer #8 · answered by Lost. at. Sea. 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No one has the right to cast a stone. Because a stone will come back and hit square on the butt back
2007-02-02 21:02:16 · answer #9 · answered by Michelle 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not really. No one will ever know exactly what is inside my heart,I am both sad and happy to say.
2007-02-02 20:57:34 · answer #10 · answered by Myaloo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋