Is this judging?

[BrooklynBoy200]

I have a friend who is a pagan. We are pretty good friends and we always have a little “i have the best religion” running thing going on. None of us take it seriously and we don’t say anything truly offensive. I know most people will say that inside it hurts or something but i know we both just think it’s funny. Like we both think it’s funny when we see movies like the Wicker Man where pagans are bloodthirsty and everything. I don’t know if they were like that in the past or something, but my friend definitly isn’t like that. So if he has a stomach ache i’ll say something like “maybe it was that innocent christian baby you ate over break” and he will say something like " you better say three Hail Marys so i can get better". I know it might sound cruel or something, but we are friends and it’s just a joke. If one of us says something offensive then we will just tell the person that and we’ll go back to little things again. I was wondering if it counts as judging or speaking ill of people or something. Thanks.

 

[Eileen_T]

Like maybe when my kids (6 aged 17-30) say something stupid that goes against Church Teaching, and I say, “That’s okay, if you want to go to Hell and be tortured by Satan and his demons for all eternity!”

I say it really fast like it’s all one word.

They all know I am serious, but they don’t get offended because of the way that I say it. And it gets my message across to them.

They usually respond with something like, “Woah, that was freaky! Now, what were we saying…?”

Am I judging? You bettcha! It’s called the Imitation of Christ.

“You are of your father, the devil” (Jn 8:44).

 

[Joysong]

Eileen’s example is proper to those in authority who have a responsibility for the young in their charge.

No surer sign of an unprofitable life than when people give way to censoriousness and inquisitiveness into the lives of other men. Of course exception must be made as to those who are responsible for others, whether in family or public life;–to all such it becomes a matter of conscience to watch over the conduct of their fellows. Let them fulfill their duty lovingly, and let them also give heed to restrain themselves within the bounds of that duty.

catholictreasury.info/DevoutLife/dev72.htm

BrooklynBoy, this whole chapter is devoted to “Rash Judgment” and the button at the bottom of the page takes you to an excellent teaching in the next section about “slander.” You are a very sincere person striving to follow Christ, and these chapters may be helpful to you, for in our society, these sins are so very offensive to God. However, many people don’t recognize the seriousness of it because it is so common, and the tongue is the most difficult thing to tame, according to St. James.

In your situation, it may simply be a little imprudent and an imperfection. We need to be educated though, lest we pass over into a more serious jesting that results in ridicule of others. St. Francis writes:

One of the most evil dispositions possible is that which satirises and turns everything to ridicule. God abhors this vice, and has sometimes punished it in a marked manner. Nothing is so opposed to charity, much more to a devout spirit, as contempt and depreciation of one’s neighbour, and where satire and ridicule exist contempt must be. Therefore contempt is a grievous sin, and our spiritual doctors have well said that ridicule is the greatest sin we can commit in word against our neighbour, inasmuch as when we offend him in any other way, there may still be some respect for him in our heart, but we are sure to despise those whom we ridicule.

God bless you and keep your heart pure. You are a good example whom I am glad to read about.

 

[anamchara]

Eileen’s example is proper to those in authority who have a responsibility for the young in their charge.

BrooklynBoy, this whole chapter is devoted to “Rash Judgment” and the button at the bottom of the page takes you to an excellent teaching in the next section about “slander.” You are a very sincere person striving to follow Christ, and these chapters may be helpful to you, for in our society, these sins are so very offensive to God. However, many people don’t recognize the seriousness of it because it is so common, and the tongue is the most difficult thing to tame, according to St. James.

In your situation, it may simply be a little imprudent and an imperfection. We need to be educated though, lest we pass over into a more serious jesting that results in ridicule of others. St. Francis writes:

God bless you and keep your heart pure. You are a good example whom I am glad to read about.

This is beautifully put Joysong. I can see why are you a secular Carmelite.

Brooklynboy, I really believe with your innocent jesting there is a sense of openness to you and this may be the thing that might bring your friend eventually into the Catholic faith. If you were rude and judged him on his beliefs then I doubt he would ever step foot into a Catholic church. A little humor can make someone feel very welcomed. I don’t mean to do this in a way that belittles our faith, jesting is ok when done innocently and with respect.