I've noticed that a lot, even most, people these days are very quick to criticize anyone who passes judgment on anyone else. There are a few things I'm trying to reconcile regarding this and I was hoping I could get some feedback from you good people:
1) Is judging someone as being "judgmental" as bad as being judgmental itself? In other words, aren't people who criticize others for passing judgment guilty themselves of passing judgment on the original "judger?" (I'll admit, if you can follow that one, you're pretty good lol)
2) Why are some things/people ok to judge? Racism, sexism, disrespect toward the enviornment, white supremecist, etc will be condemned immediatly by the same person who, 5 minutes ago, accused the traditional Christian person of being too judgmental regarding abortion or sexual morality.
I'm just curious for some insight. For full disclosure, I'm a just-slightly-right-of-center, sometimes-practicing Christian. White male, unmarried, late 20's.
2007-02-24 09:28:42 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Technically it is not wrong if the judgment is right, but only God can truly have a righteous judgment so it is not right for another to judge except for someone who has been appointed as a judge by others.
Matthew 7
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
2007-02-24 09:35:20 · answer #1 · answered by Holy Holly 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's one thing to condemn certain practises. It's another thing to have a "holier than though" attitude toward other people. Also, it sometimes seems as though certain people are just looking for things to criticize in others. Or who assume faults in others. Or who judge others for things they do themselves.
For example:
What do you think when you see a homeless street person begging? "He should get a job!" But perhaps you don't know his story. And if you did know his story, you would be saying: "It's amazing that he is doing as well as he is! I wonder what I can do to help".
Here's a little story I once read:
Someone was walking along a street and noticed a man sitting in a chair, while hoeing the garden. "What a lazy bum!" the walker thought. Then, as he walked on, he noticed the man in the chair had no legs. He thought: "That is the most valiant man I have ever seen!" Same scene, different views.
2007-02-24 17:39:05 · answer #2 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you. I think it is only wrong when we are condemning someone or not giving them a fair chance. I'm certainly glad I can leave that to God. But in life, judging is not only a part of life, it is a necessity. We need to judge with all that is out there what we will believe. We need to judge what beliefs will elevate us or cause us harm. And we need to judge who we associate with for those reasons. That doesn't mean we shouldn't be friends with those who believe differently. But it does mean that we need to judge how much of what the person is saying we can take into our hearts.
There are times when we go too far. Judging all aethists or theists to be bad or illogical is an obvious irrational conclusion. Racism (that goes towards blacks or whites) is just as irrational. It's when it comes to the choices we make where the judging can be Ok, because that is something that affects more than the person involved (whether belief-wise or physically).
2007-02-24 17:39:54 · answer #3 · answered by Laurel W 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Always. It is written in the Word in the book of James "There is one lawgiver who is able to save and to destroy: who are you to judge another?" As for the rest of your questions additional info, you are correct in pointing out the hypocrisy of those who would chastize someone else for voicing an opposing viewpoint when they do the very same thing themselves. Most people would improve their thinking ability by looking up the definitions of words that they use and have no obvious understanding of. The words "judgemental" and "opinion" have two very different meanings, and being judgemental is not a sin I have to rid myself of. Now on the other hand, my wife wishes I wouldn't be so opinionated or, as her factually challenged friend Marie so often but lovingly refers to me as, "An opinionated jerk". But Marie is 47, so I now know how long it is possible for a person to live without a brain. (eh,- just an opinion).
2007-02-24 17:59:10 · answer #4 · answered by 4everamusedw/humanity 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Amazing that some Christians pick and choose the part of the bible in which they agree. I've heard it's ok if the judgement is right...........If God is the only righteous judge, then how can we know if the judgement we have made agaist someone is right or not. Does the bible not say, "Judge lest ye be judged?" I am so tired of right winged Christians...holding others in judgement........maybe its time they took a look at themselves.
Now is what I just stated a judgement?......NO.....its a suggestion.
2007-02-24 17:40:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is such a thing as arrogant "judgement" that simply makes declarations from a narrow pov that has no room for any other ideas or opinions... and then there's DISCERNMENT to be able to tell when harm or suffering is being caused in order to put a stop to it.
_()_
2007-02-24 17:51:35 · answer #6 · answered by vinslave 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you were doing pretty good until you came to the last part of your statement about your full disclosure. your real intentions came out. you don't care about the 2 points you were making, you care about letting people know especially women that you are single man looking for a date. you need to go to another section on here and be truthful with your self.
2007-02-24 17:44:38 · answer #7 · answered by eddieteston 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋