Francis: ‘Whoever judges and scorns others is corrupt and a hypocrite’

[1neophyte]

The desert fathers existed rather early in Church history, and here are a few things they had to say about judging others:

"The old men used to say, “there is nothing worse than passing judgement.”

They said of abba Macarius that he became as it is written a god upon earth,
because just as God protects the world, so abba Macarius would cover the
faults that he saw as though he did not see them, and those which he heard as
though he did not hear them.

Abba Pastor said, “Judge not him who is guilty of fornication, if you are
chaste, or you will break the law like him. For He who said “do not commit
fornication” said also “Do not judge”.”

A brother asked abba Poemen, “If I see my brother sin, is it right to say
nothing about it?” The old man replied, “whenever we cover our brother’s sin,
God will cover ours; whenever we tell people about our brother’s guilt, God
will do the same about ours.”

That’s the first paragraph after the foreword.
coptic.net/articles/sayingsofdesertfathers.txt

Thank you for this! This seems like such a basic and obvious tenet of following Jesus. I don’t know why there are so many that fight it.

 

[Maximilan_Kolbe]

Thank you for this! This seems like such a basic and obvious tenet of following Jesus. I don’t know why there are so many that fight it.

I am not sure fight is the right word.

1. I don’t concern myself with other’s individuals sins as a general rule, other than to offer prayers. I do concern myself when those sins are publically defended as okay, and this declaration risks confusing or harming others. There is a vast difference.
2. We of course have the spiritual works of mercy that don’t preach ignorance of helping others who err.
3. Lastly, it could be argued that if we should not concern ourselves with other’s sins or mistakes, publically condemning those who condemn others sins or mistakes has a unique twist of irony at best, and hypocrisy at worst. It becomes hard to believe that other’s sins are their own business, then log into a message board and tell people their attitude towards others’ sins is incorrect…

Myself, I took his reference to the word arrogant to mean two things:

1. It is arrogant to pray while simply focusing on other people’s sins.
2. It is arrogant to pray while not acknowledging whether or not the things we individually do and believe are actually conforming to the teachings of Christ and the Church.

The former is the stereotype that gets applied to “conservatives” around here. The latter is the stereotype that gets applied to “liberals” around here.

Neither is an acceptable way to present ourselves to God.

Regarding inviting people over based on certain sins, I’d say the previous argument greatly oversimplifies that discussion.

1. Manifest public sin is vastly different from less obvious behavior.
2. Not all sin is equal in gravity and impact.
3. Whether or not my children are present affects what I watch on TV, what conversations I have, and who is allowed to present with them in my home. Does this hypothetical diner involve my children, who are sponges and easily confused?

 

[2PT3]

Well, there have been gradual changes in Church discipline, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Confession in the early Church was a one-time opportunity for grave and public sins, such as murder or adultery. Today, several Saints recommend frequent Confession as a vital part of a spiritual life.

Receiving the Eucharist once a year was once routine. St. Pius X (if I recall correctly) was one of the first to emphasize the benefits of early and frequent reception, provided one is in a state of grace.

Those are just two examples, but they should suffice to illustrate that differences are possible. I’m not sure what you mean by “radical” differences - do you mean the young man who started this thread should be allowed to make only one Confession, as in 100 AD?

No, I do not mean that at all. I understand that doctrine develops. I am as thankful as anyone that Pope Saint Callixtus I, in 217 AD, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, rejected the position of Tertullian and Hippolytus that the sins of murder, idolatry, fraud, apostasy, blasphemy, adultery and fornication could not be absolved by the visible Church.

It does seem to me, however, that the pendulum has swung all the way the other side from strict disciplinarianism to extreme laxity. It seems that anyone who even suggests the possibility that there should be serious ecclesial consequences for obstinate opposition to Church teaching or for flagrant and unrepentant public sin is instantly labeled a “Pharisee” and beat over the head with “Judge not.”

Peace.

 

[RPRPsych]

No, I do not mean that at all. I understand that doctrine develops. I am as thankful as anyone that Pope Saint Callixtus I, in 217 AD, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, rejected the position of Tertullian and Hippolytus that the sins of murder, idolatry, fraud, apostasy, blasphemy, adultery and fornication could not be absolved by the visible Church.

It does seem to me, however, that the pendulum has swung all the way the other side from strict disciplinarianism to extreme laxity. It seems that anyone who even suggests the possibility that there should be serious ecclesial consequences for obstinate opposition to Church teaching or for flagrant and unrepentant public sin is instantly labeled a “Pharisee” and beat over the head with “Judge not.”

Peace.

Thanks for the clarification. I do agree that “Judge not” is one of the most misunderstood verses in the Bible, and it speaks to the need for an improvement in the standards of Catholic biblical scholarship. Not to be uncharitable, but the notes in most contemporary Catholic Bibles leave much to be desired on such matters.

 

[ProdigalSun]

Arrogance not only distances us from God but compromises each of our actions and makes our prayer useless, Pope Francis warned in his weekly audience in St. Peter’s Square Wednesday.

Reflecting on the Gospel parable comparing the ways that a Pharisee and a tax collector pray at the Jewish Temple, the pontiff said that humility is “the necessary condition to be raised up by God, to experience the mercy that fills to the brim our emptiness.”

“Whoever believes themselves just and judges others and scorns them is corrupt and a hypocrite,” the pope exhorted. “Arrogance compromises every good action, empties prayer, distances from God and others.”
“If the prayer of the arrogant doesn’t reach the heart of God, the humility of the miserable opens it wide,” he said.

The pontiff was reflecting Wednesday on a parable found in Luke’s Gospel, in which Jesus describes two men who pray in very different ways. The Pharisee thanks God that he is “not like the rest of humanity.” The tax collector instead beats his breast, asking: “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.”

“It’s not enough to ask ourselves how much we pray,” Francis told the crowds in the square for the audience. “We must also ask ourselves how we pray, or better, how is out heart? It is important to examine it to value its thoughts, its sentiments and to eradicate arrogance and hypocrisy.”

“Can you pray with arrogance?” the pontiff asked aloud. “No.”
“Can you pray with hypocrisy?” he continued. “No.”

“We must pray putting ourselves before God just as we are,” said Francis. “Not like the Pharisee who prayed with arrogance and hypocrisy.”
The pope called the tax collector’s prayer “very short” but “very beautiful.”

“His prayer is essential,” said Francis. “He acts with humility, only sure of being a sinner in need of compassion.”

More at lastampa.it/2016/06/01/vaticaninsider/eng/the-vatican/pope-francis-humbleness-honesty-lead-to-gods-mercy-blnqdTjTZFgsdZcPM6YosM/pagina.html

So know one should judge or scorn anyone unless the person you are judging and scorning is someone who judges and scorns others Then it is ok to call then corrupt and a hypocrite. hmmm! sounds a bit intolerant to me.

Also where exactly does the pope say that judging others is corrupt and hypocritical?

 

[2PT3]

Thank you for this! This seems like such a basic and obvious tenet of following Jesus. I don’t know why there are so many that fight it.

No, we should not expose our brothers to public shame and humiliation by trumpeting their sins to the world. But Jesus actually told us to confront out brothers about their sins, and if they won’t listen, take to someone with you, and if they still won’t listen, to take it to the Church, and if they still won’t listen then to “treat them as you would a gentile or a tax collector”.

There is plenty of Scripture - and plenty to quote from the Fathers - on both sides of this issue. The traditional Catholic teaching has been that Jesus admonishes us to avoid rash, harsh and unfair judgment, not that we can never criticize the sinful conduct of a Christian brother. We are to avoid judgment in the sense of condemnation - i.e., judging the state of someone’s soul. But “to admonish the sinner” is one of the classic spiritual works of mercy.

Peace.

 

[2PT3]

The desert fathers existed rather early in Church history, and here are a few things they had to say about judging others:

"The old men used to say, “there is nothing worse than passing judgement.”

They said of abba Macarius that he became as it is written a god upon earth,
because just as God protects the world, so abba Macarius would cover the
faults that he saw as though he did not see them, and those which he heard as
though he did not hear them.

Abba Pastor said, “Judge not him who is guilty of fornication, if you are
chaste, or you will break the law like him. For He who said “do not commit
fornication” said also “Do not judge”.”

A brother asked abba Poemen, “If I see my brother sin, is it right to say
nothing about it?” The old man replied, “whenever we cover our brother’s sin,
God will cover ours; whenever we tell people about our brother’s guilt, God
will do the same about ours.”

That’s the first paragraph after the foreword.
coptic.net/articles/sayingsofdesertfathers.txt

Here are some verses from the New Testament that provide some (name removed by moderator)ut about how we are to deal with the problem of flagrant sinners and obstinate dissenters. Don’t shoot the messenger.

Jesus - MT 10:14-15 “Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words—go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”

Jesus - MT 18:15-17 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Jesus - LK 10:10-12 “Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, ‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.’ Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.”

St. Paul - ROM 16:17-18 I appeal to you, brethren, to take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by fair and flattering words they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded.

St. Paul - 1 COR 5:1-2 It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and of a kind that is not found even among pagans; for a man is living with his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.

St. Paul - 1 COR 5 11-13 But I now write to you not to associate with anyone named a brother, if he is immoral, greedy, an idolater, a slanderer, a drunkard, or a robber, not even to eat with such a person. For why should I be judging outsiders? Is it not your business to judge those within? God will judge those outside. “Purge the evil person from your midst.”

St. Paul - 2 COR 6:14-16 Do not be mismated with unbelievers. For what partnership have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Be′lial? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols?

St. Paul - EPH 5:6-8 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for it is because of these things that the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not associate with them, for once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.

St. Paul - 2 THES 3:14 If anyone does not obey our word as expressed in this letter, take note of this person not to associate with him, that he may be put to shame.

St. Paul - 2 TIM 3:1-5 But understand this: there will be terrifying times in the last days. People will be self-centered and lovers of money, proud, haughty, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, irreligious, callous, implacable, slanderous, licentious, brutal, hating what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, as they make a pretense of religion but deny its power. Reject them.

St. Paul - TITUS 3: 10-11 After a first and second warning, break off contact with a heretic, realizing that such a person is perverted and sinful and stands self-condemned.

St. John - 2 JN 9-11 Anyone who is so “progressive” as not to remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God; whoever remains in the teaching has the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him in your house or even greet him; for whoever greets him shares in his evil works.

Not to mention, the entirety of the Epistle of St. Jude and the 2nd Epistle of St. Peter.

 

[Good_Tidings]

Same here, but at the same time, I’m hoping the Holy Father knows what he is doing.

Why wouldn’t he?

 

[Sarcelle]

Speaks to those who do not acknowledge sin. This is especially true of those liberals who dissent from the teachings of Jesus and place more importance on their political ideology. Their pride keeps them from acknowledging the need for mercy in the first place…sin. No sin…no need for mercy. But that is why Jesus included in the spiritual works of mercy these…

instruct the ignorant
counsel the doubtful
admonish sinners

For those who still doubt…the Pope is Catholic.

Of course you must tell the truth, instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful. Before doing so, inspect your motives. Is it out of love or pride?

It is one thing to advise them and another to sneer at them or scorn them.

 

[2PT3]

Of course you must tell the truth, instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful. Before doing so, inspect your motives. Is it out of love or pride?

It is one thing to advise them and another to sneer at them or scorn them.

Well said. Thank you.

 

[RPRPsych]

Of course you must tell the truth, instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful. Before doing so, inspect your motives. Is it out of love or pride?

It is one thing to advise them and another to sneer at them or scorn them.

And, obviously, if you are involved in the same kind of sin, correct yourself first.

 

[Catholic_farmer]

As a catechist, I cannot tell you how many times I have to be gentle in what I say so that I keep minds and hearts open, rather than closing them to the Truth out of bitterness and resentment. I am there to correct and instruct; not to judge and scorn. The difference is probably easier to tell in a classroom setting.

But, as Apologists, we also need to avoid judgement and scorn. Look at the techniques outlines in Blue Collar Apologetics. He suggests those because they work without shutting doors and hearts.

God bless the Pope!

 

[TCEL]

Lol. There will always be back and forth on tactics.

Meanwhile, I just finished reading an article on Mental Floss’ site which said we should be honest to a fault in order to increase our ability to be child-like and happy. It cuts down on white lies, said the article. Honesty does not “judgment” make. I’ve been told by a good priest that God expects us to use our judgment and our critical thinking. My personal yardstick is that judgment should always be used for the sake of healing, to pierce the heart. Someone has to see into the heart in order to call to repentance, and that is a gift. Not everyone has it.

 

[2PT3]

As a catechist, I cannot tell you how many times I have to be gentle in what I say so that I keep minds and hearts open, rather than closing them to the Truth out of bitterness and resentment. I am there to correct and instruct; not to judge and scorn. The difference is probably easier to tell in a classroom setting.

But, as Apologists, we also need to avoid judgement and scorn. Look at the techniques outlines in Blue Collar Apologetics. He suggests those because they work without shutting doors and hearts.

God bless the Pope!

Thanks, you make a good point. The setting in which you are dealing with particular people makes a great deal of difference in the approach you take.

To me, Pope Francis does seem to heap judgment and scorn on certain groups of people of whom he disapproves. For example, he can be extremely harsh with Catholics whom he perceives as being “rigorist” or “Pharisaical” or “corrupt” or “gossipers”, etc. On the other hand, sometimes it seems he intentionally avoids teaching hard truths on other issues, even in a gentle way. It seems like most of his invective is directed at practicing Catholics (priests, religious and lay) who are at least trying to do what they think is right, even if they are misguided. Maybe he thinks they can handle, or that they deserve, a stern rebuke so he doesn’t need to hold anything back.

On the other hand, he seems never to have a “judgmental” word for those who have apostasized from the faith, or who publicly dissent from essential Church teachings, or who live in flagrant opposition to God’s law on sexual issues. Rather, he’ll meet with them and give them awards and even a platform to speak (example: Joe Biden invited to give a speech at a pontifical academy) with no hint whatsoever to the public that there has been even the slightest attempt at a “gentle” correction. I suppose it is all a matter of prudential judgment but I must admit, it wears me out.

Peace.

 

[1neophyte]

Thanks, you make a good point. The setting in which you are dealing with particular people makes a great deal of difference in the approach you take.

To me, Pope Francis does seem to heap judgment and scorn on certain groups of people of whom he disapproves. For example, he can be extremely harsh with Catholics whom he perceives as being “rigorist” or “Pharisaical” or “corrupt” or “gossipers”, etc. On the other hand, sometimes it seems he intentionally avoids teaching hard truths on other issues, even in a gentle way. It seems like most of his invective is directed at practicing Catholics (priests, religious and lay) who are at least trying to do what they think is right, even if they are misguided. Maybe he thinks they can handle, or that they deserve, a stern rebuke so he doesn’t need to hold anything back.

On the other hand, he seems never to have a “judgmental” word for those who have apostasized from the faith, or who publicly dissent from essential Church teachings, or who live in flagrant opposition to God’s law on sexual issues. Rather, he’ll meet with them and give them awards and even a platform to speak (example: Joe Biden invited to give a speech at a pontifical academy) with no hint whatsoever to the public that there has been even the slightest attempt at a “gentle” correction. I suppose it is all a matter of prudential judgment but I must admit, it wears me out.

Peace.

Does it wear you out when you see the same phenomenon in the four gospels?

 

[2PT3]

Does it wear you out when you see the same phenomenon in the four gospels?

Perhaps the thing that doesn’t sit well is the implication that most practicing Catholics are a bunch of hypocritical Pharisees who need to be publicly dressed down. Perhaps that’s true, but I know very few Catholics like that. The Catholics I know - whether clergy, religious or lay - aren’t perfect but they are incredibly generous, forgiving, merciful and loving people, but also people who don’t want the truth watered down or swept under the rug. They are also sheep who are desperate for a shepherd who will stand up against the secular, post-modern culture that is mowing them down and enslaving their children.

I also think it is dangerous to “label” everyone who dares to defend the Church’s doctrine a “Pharisee” or “fundamentalist” which is the point to which it seems we have now come. Jesus never condoned or looked the other way from sin. But it seems that now anyone who dares to criticize certain behaviors gets whacked over the head with “judge not.”

See the article by David Carlin on the front page of this website: “Judge Not Doesn’t Mean Don’t Make Judgments”: catholic.com/blog/david-carlin/%E2%80%98judge-not%E2%80%99-doesn%E2%80%99t-mean-don%E2%80%99t-make-judgments

Peace to you.

 

[1neophyte]

Perhaps the thing that doesn’t sit well is the implication that most practicing Catholics are a bunch of hypocritical Pharisees who need to be publicly dressed down. Perhaps that’s true, but I know very few Catholics like that. The Catholics I know - whether clergy, religious or lay - aren’t perfect but they are incredibly generous, forgiving, merciful and loving people, but also people who don’t want the truth watered down or swept under the rug. They are also sheep who are desperate for a shepherd who will stand up against the secular, post-modern culture that is mowing them down and enslaving their children.

I also think it is dangerous to “label” everyone who dares to defend the Church’s doctrine a “Pharisee” or “fundamentalist” which is the point to which it seems we have now come. Jesus never condoned or looked the other way from sin. But it seems that now anyone who dares to criticize certain behaviors gets whacked over the head with “judge not.”

Well, the father’s actions in the Prodigal Son parable didn’t sit well with the “good” son either. It’s not Pope Francis you really have an issue with, it’s the Kingdom of God that Jesus so desperately tried to explain. He was misunderstood every single step of the way. I’m sure the “good” son in the parable was desperate for a father who would stand up against the self-serving wickedness of his younger brother, but that’s not the way it works in the Kingdom of God. He was thinking as man thinks, not as God thinks. Was it wrong for Jesus to be brutally crucified? Of course, that is self-evident. It was literally the embodiment of the absolute worst aspects of humanity. Did Jesus stand up for His rights or defend the doctrines that those who murdered Him were breaking? No, he forgave them at the same moment they were breaking them without a hint of hesitation, remorse, or repentance.

The other problem with all of the confusion that you persist in is that you’re taking things way out of context and making up quotes to justify your hurt feelings. I apologize if it wasn’t you, but someone in this thread made reference to Pope Francis saying “Donald Trump is not a Christian.” Well, Pope Francis never said “Donald Trump is not a Christian.” He simply defended Catholic doctrine by saying that if a person subscribes to the ways of the world and not the teachings of Jesus, they cannot be considered a Christian. And in your first sentence in this post, your refer to the implication that “most practicing Catholics are hypocritical Pharisees.” Well, he never said or implied any such thing about “most practicing Catholics.” But whether you like it or not, there are those in powerful positions in the Church who are completely misguided and self-serving. You say they should be handled gently because they’re doing what they think is right? Guess what? Everyone is doing the best they can with what they have, even the worst post-modern secularist sinners. The difference is, those who claim to have the truth should know better.

I’m in complete agreement with you about secular post-modern culture that is mowing down and enslaving children. But the solution is not for the Church to “stand up” against such a culture. There always has and always will be sin and a movement to “mow us down”. Even a cursory examination of the history of the last 2000 years will reveal that. There is nothing particularly new or special about the current climate we live in. What the Church should be doing is standing as a completely counter-cultural refuge from the world. But so many are too busy “standing up for their rights” and becoming just another nails-on-chalkboard whiny voice in the din. That is not what Jesus did, and not what He commanded His Church to be. If you’re going to spend your time whining and criticizing THE POPE, how in the world can the Church have the slightest chance to be a counter-cultural beacon, if it’s just going to be another kingdom divided against itself?

 

[BChartowski]

Well, the father’s actions in the Prodigal Son parable didn’t sit well with the “good” son either. It’s not Pope Francis you really have an issue with, it’s the Kingdom of God that Jesus so desperately tried to explain. He was misunderstood every single step of the way. I’m sure the “good” son in the parable was desperate for a father who would stand up against the self-serving wickedness of his younger brother, but that’s not the way it works in the Kingdom of God. He was thinking as man thinks, not as God thinks. Was it wrong for Jesus to be brutally crucified? Of course, that is self-evident. It was literally the embodiment of the absolute worst aspects of humanity. Did Jesus stand up for His rights or defend the doctrines that those who murdered Him were breaking? No, he forgave them at the same moment they were breaking them without a hint of hesitation, remorse, or repentance.

The other problem with all of the confusion that you persist in is that you’re taking things way out of context and making up quotes to justify your hurt feelings. I apologize if it wasn’t you, but someone in this thread made reference to Pope Francis saying “Donald Trump is not a Christian.” Well, Pope Francis never said “Donald Trump is not a Christian.” He simply defended Catholic doctrine by saying that if a person subscribes to the ways of the world and not the teachings of Jesus, they cannot be considered a Christian. And in your first sentence in this post, your refer to the implication that “most practicing Catholics are hypocritical Pharisees.” Well, he never said or implied any such thing about “most practicing Catholics.” But whether you like it or not, there are those in powerful positions in the Church who are completely misguided and self-serving. You say they should be handled gently because they’re doing what they think is right? Guess what? Everyone is doing the best they can with what they have, even the worst post-modern secularist sinners. The difference is, those who claim to have the truth should know better.

I’m in complete agreement with you about secular post-modern culture that is mowing down and enslaving children. But the solution is not for the Church to “stand up” against such a culture. There always has and always will be sin and a movement to “mow us down”. Even a cursory examination of the history of the last 2000 years will reveal that. There is nothing particularly new or special about the current climate we live in. What the Church should be doing is standing as a completely counter-cultural refuge from the world. But so many are too busy “standing up for their rights” and becoming just another nails-on-chalkboard whiny voice in the din. That is not what Jesus did, and not what He commanded His Church to be. If you’re going to spend your time whining and criticizing THE POPE, how in the world can the Church have the slightest chance to be a counter-cultural beacon, if it’s just going to be another kingdom divided against itself?

The father in the prodigal son parable allowed the selfish son to go; he did not chase after him and give him an award his behavior. It wasn’t until the son returned, begging for mercy, that the father showered his mercy upon him. We are intentionally not told what came of the other son, but what we are told is that when someone is asking for mercy and forgiveness, we should grant them. There is a vast gulf of difference between this sort of mercy and rewarding those in persistent opposition to what the Church teaches. This is the concern being shown.

As well, to be a counter-cultural refuge entails standing up to said culture. Part of the culture of the time was for the money changers to ply their trade in the temple. Christ certainly stood up to them. He also certainly stood up to the men who brought him the woman to be stoned for adultery. The Kingdom is not divided against itself by admonishing those who stand against it.

It is worth adding that you, in these posts, are judging and scornful. To address as whiners those who pine for the truth is evidence of this.

 

[1neophyte]

The father in the prodigal son parable allowed the selfish son to go; he did not chase after him and give him an award his behavior. It wasn’t until the son returned, begging for mercy, that the father showered his mercy upon him. We are intentionally not told what came of the other son, but what we are told is that when someone is asking for mercy and forgiveness, we should grant them. There is a vast gulf of difference between this sort of mercy and rewarding those in persistent opposition to what the Church teaches. This is the concern being shown.

Who is talking about rewarding those in opposition to what the Church teaches? Rewarding them how?

 

[Maximilan_Kolbe]

It is worth adding that you, in these posts, are judging and scornful. To address as whiners those who pine for the truth is evidence of this.

That was exactly my point. You can’t in one breath decry worrying about other sin or being judgmental of others while at the same time lambaste those who one views as judgmental or overly concerned with other’s sins. The concept is self-defeating. And the whole discussion seems predicated on this notion.