"Don't judge": What does this mean?

[goofyjim]

Would unsubstantiated character accusations fall under the category of judging the heart?

 

[theMutant]

goofyjim:

Would unsubstantiated character accusations fall under the category of judging the heart?

I would have to say yes; although that could also be plain and simple lying.

The current political environment in the United States is a perfect example of this. The two major political parties (and I am not a member of either) have different views on meeting the needs of the poor and both parties articulate those views. However, one of the member of one of the parties are constantly accused of wanting to starve the poor, deprive children, take food out of the mouths of the elderly, etc. by the members of the other party. This goes both ways because the second party in the above example is also accused by members of the first of wanting to reduce the poor to virtual slavery of dependence in order to maintain its own power.

 

[caroljm36]

yinekka:

I think it is something that liberal priests have fastened on to , that and ‘pharisism’ to excuse themselves from ever mentioning that anyone can ever commit a sin, that there is hell, that we ‘have to work out our salvation in fear and trembling’. This then leaves them free to preach, Sunday after Sunday after Sunday ‘God lurvs you’.

You must be in my parish…

 

[elts1956]

I think we are a judgemental people unless we really practice not being so. When we judge another person as being flawed, or commiting sin, we are setting ourselves above that person as being more perfect, being MUCH more capable of doing God’s Will and being altogether a much better person than the one we are judging. Whether we consciously acknowledge it or not we are saying we are better than another.

To cast shadows on others is casting shadows on ourselves through our lack of Charity. So is this what Christ meant when He said Judge not, lest you be judged?

Hating the sin is easy, but LOVEing the sinner,especially if s/he continues to do what we see as being wrong, is a life long task.

 

[mangy_dog]

As Christians we are commanded not to judge. But what does it mean to not “judge” another? Most people I think take this to mean that we are not to label someone as “bad” or “evil.” That only God can make such a judgment. But take a look at the Bible and you’ll find St. Paul “judging” others in this manner left and right. This can’t be what “judging” means.

It seems to me that to “judge” someone means to assess not their character, but their soul, particularly in a negative light. In other words, to judge someone would mean to believe or say that someone was going to hell when they died. So judging is a presumption which we as human beings are not to make.

I believe that someone can rightfully be called bad or evil if their habits are bad or evil to an inordinate degree. For instance, a person consumed with money, who spends all their time collecting and hogging their money for themselves, without charity for other human beings, is a bad person. Someone who habitually rapes other people is a bad person. Someone who robs banks is a bad person. Someone who is entirely selfish and demanding is a bad person.

You are what you do. I think we can “judge” character; we just can’t judge destiny.

Jamie

I’ve read all threads that try to answer your query.

This is something I use anytime somebody says to me, “who are you to judge me?!”

As you might well know, we are called (thru Baptism) to be priests, prophets and kings. As such, we are called to Announce, Denounce and Renounce.

A priest Announces the Good New and the Kingdom of God.

A prophet Denounces the wrong and the evil in the world and in others.

A king (as Jesus) is called to serve or to Renounce himself to serve others.

Having said this, I now take you to a more worldly example. Something common to everyday life:

A judge in a courtroom and a traffic policeman.

You’re driving around town and you run a red light… the policeman sees you and stops you. He denounces your illegal or wrong action. But the police officer doesn’t assume that you may be a red-light running dirt-bag. He simply denounces the wrong that you did. And if you wish to contest the ticket, then he gives you the option to go to court, in front of the judge.

The judge,…he hears your excuses for running the red light and finds no merit in your lame excuses. But you go on about how the policeman should’ve seen this or that or the other thing. Now, the judge (based on your own words and attitude) determines (judges) that you are a red-light running dirt-bag and decides that you not only need to pay the ticket - but that if you continue with your attitude, he’ll find you in contempt of court.

Long story short: Police denounces - Judge…judges.

We are called to denounce! simple as that.

Hope this helps.

Salve Regina, sine macula originali concepta, ora pro nobis.

 

[peary]

As Christians we are commanded not to judge. But what does it mean to not “judge” another? Most people I think take this to mean that we are not to label someone as “bad” or “evil.” That only God can make such a judgment. But take a look at the Bible and you’ll find St. Paul “judging” others in this manner left and right. This can’t be what “judging” means.

It seems to me that to “judge” someone means to assess not their character, but their soul, particularly in a negative light. In other words, to judge someone would mean to believe or say that someone was going to hell when they died. So judging is a presumption which we as human beings are not to make.

I believe that someone can rightfully be called bad or evil if their habits are bad or evil to an inordinate degree. For instance, a person consumed with money, who spends all their time collecting and hogging their money for themselves, without charity for other human beings, is a bad person. Someone who habitually rapes other people is a bad person. Someone who robs banks is a bad person. Someone who is entirely selfish and demanding is a bad person.

You are what you do. I think we can “judge” character; we just can’t judge destiny.

Jamie

**Actions define one’s character. With regard to ‘judgment’, we know that certain acts and behaviors and beliefs can lead one to perdition. To point these out to an individual committing them is not a judgment but an observation, and a Christian has the responsibility to tell that person that one is on the road to perdition due to his or her actions. This is one of the spiritual works of mercy:

The seven practices of Catholic charity toward our neighbor’s soul:

» Convert the sinner

» Instruct the ignorant

» Counsel the doubtful

» Comfort the sorrowful

» Bear wrongs patiently

» Forgive injuries

» Pray for the living and the dead

These are based on the teaching of Christ and on Church practice since apostolic times.**