Question for Atheists: Do you understand the difference between "Discernment and Judging"?

Question

The reason I ask this, is because I read answers/responses way too often that suggest (imply) that "all Christians do is judge" ---->

Did you ever stop to think they mighten be judging at all, but instead are discerning certain actions/comments/attitudes are of Satan?

There is a difference.
10 points to the Atheists who can truthfully explain to me the difference of these two terms (and here's the catch:) Without being insulting towards Christianity!

J.P. I think you're going to get these points hands down! I see so many responses here just "overflowing with cynical and contradicting ignorance!"

*People to put it "vaguely" (I'm not pretending to be a dictionary here; so don't jump on this!!!)

Judgement has a certain element of condemnation with it, and is based on OPINION....

Discernment is sort of like God giving you an indication that something is real/false. It holds no condemnation, but simply is the spiritual ability given to recognize what is of God, and what is not...

...oh and to make the connection with Satan: Christians believe that anything NOT of God is of Satan (no exceptions) therefor when I used that expression --- If it offends your sensativities, it simply means that people/attitudes/behaviors "not of God"

It's the same thing in my books, but I'll play fair and re-word it, if it makes you feel any better. God bless.

Answer 1

Judgement attaches emotional consideration, and is self-oriented, of the mind.

Discernment maintains honest detachment and is God-oriented, of the spirit.

(Yes, I'm an atheist... before that though, I was studying for the priesthood.)

Answer 2

I can't do it... either way I'm insulting to christians because they all think of these things in different terms.

Well, the way I see it:

Judging: making a decision about the worthiness of anything, be it going to heaven or hell, or which child spelled the most words correctly.

Discernment: judging the actions or beliefs of a person and deciding what to think of that person, action, or belief. This includes deciding if an otherwise good and knowledgeble person should be listened to because of their beliefs (which may run contrary to your own) or the active intent to disqualify a persons way of life, actions, or beliefs because they contradict your own.

My wife says I have the god given spirit of discernment because I tell her which of her christian 'friends' really aren't friends and can tell by their actions and personas what their future actions will be, and am right the majority of the time. I call it being a good JUDGE of character.



p.s. god is the creator of both good and evil. You may not want to accept that, but you can find this in all versions of the bible. Also, you may want to speak with a Rabbi about what Satan does and does not do. The christian version is not anything like the Jewish version, and they had it first.

Answer 3

I don't think it matters to an atheist weather or not it is judging or discerning. Especially the way you explain it because you are saying " discerning certain actions/comments/attitudes that are of satan", a supposed entity that they do not believe in the first place.

Remember if you are Christian, you should not be discerning or judgemental in anyway because it goes against the fundemental teachings of Christ which is TOLERANCE at the very least.

Do you think that because a person is atheist, that they do not understand the difference? Do you think that atheisim is equated to ignorance?

Answer 4

From casual research on the two terms, the biggest difference I can see is that discernment seems to be chiefly a passive act of recognizing or determining whereas judgement seems to be more active in that an opinion is formed after the discernment. (Discernment was used in the definition of Judgment)
Personally I don't care if you judge or don't, there are so many versions of theism and christianity in particular that to try to "catch" you breaking your self defined rules is futile.

Answer 5

"Did you ever stop to think they mighten be judging at all, but instead are discerning certain actions/comments/attitudes are of Satan?

There is a difference."

Satan doesn't exist. Explain the difference between judging and claiming that certain actions/comments/attitudes are the product of a figment of your own imagination.

I'm perfectly fine with thoughtful judgment - I don't go around telling people that it's wrong to judge others, and in fact I put a lot of effort into learning how to properly judge others.

However, when you tell people here that their actions/comments/attitudes are "of Satan", I report you for an obvious violation of the Community Guidelines (if you don't see it, look at Lovelark's insightful comments below).

Not only are you making a nonexistent distinction, you're getting the moral aspect of that distinction _exactly_ backwards.

Answer 6

Discernment is when you say "I think this is wrong" or "I think this is right" or "That seems wrong or bad to me" or "That was very gracious"

Judging is when you've arrived at the conclusion: "You're going to hell" or "You're being controlled by demonic forces" You don't know that, you're not in a position to say that, not being in full possession of the facts.

If you declare something is from Satan then you havent' discerned, you've judged. Don't you yourselves frequently say that the Lord works in mysterious ways, and you don't fully understand all His decisions?

Remember, just because you don't like it, doesn't mean you're suddenly blessed with the omnipotence to see into the sublime inner workings of another's spiritual life. Leave a little room for doubt. You could be wrong.

Answer 7

ok, heres the thing:
You just said "are discerning certain actions/comments/attitudes are of Satan" . I was a christian, for a long time, and I was never trying to decide if ANYONE was "of Satan". That's like calling someone evil! You don't call people evil! I'm pretty sure Jesus doesn't want you to call people evil!

I feel judged by many christians, but I understand when they are merely uncomfortable with my choices and my beleif system. I respect that discomfort and support my christian friends: that discomfort is usually displayed by saying something like "I'm sorry, it's not something I'm used to, I'm just used to hanging around with a very christian crowd, and your scene is strange to me" and I understand! And then we can talk about what we value about eachother, and how to understand eachother better.

when someone says my life choices or my actions are "of satan", that's extremely offensive because I believe I control my own actions....oh yes, and Satan is the devil. Pretty offensive to call me the dark prince.

Answer 8

Discernment is the rationalization or belief based upon all available data.

Judgement (in your terms) means ignoring or invalidating facts to reach a premise.

However, in using your beliefs and your opinions to determine that someone else's words are of Satan, you are not discerning. You are being judgemental. Your Christ forbids this path "Judge not, lest ye be judged."

Answer 9

To me discerning would be deducing that a person is bad/evil based on accepted values of society however Judging is condemning a person for nor sharing your beliefs. Most christians don't judge in person however online both camps become more polarized and judgemental.

Answer 10

They are synonyms. Discernment is defined as the act of judging or using good judgment - and the word "good" is up to anyone to define.

... acuteness of judgment and understanding - judging wisely.

There are many people who do not believe Satan exists - it is the other side of the God coin - for those who have no belief in Satan it is a moot point.

The judgment may seem wise to you - to those whom you impress it upon it may be quite a different story. Something to think about for you.

Answer 11

That is a great question! I too believe in micro evolution. I believe that macro evolution is completely absurd. I think that it's extremely obvious based on the simple fact that species evolve and adapt to their surroundings but it has NEVER been proven that one species evolved into another which is exactly what the "Theory of Evolution" tries to force everyone to believe. If macro evolution is true, why haven't ANY "missing links" been found? Species adapt but do not evolve into new species.