toldailytopic: Judging

Status
Not open for further replies.
csuguy

csuguy

Well-known member
elohiym said:
I just gave you the link to the dictionary definition of judge. Must I also provide you with the link to discern?

A little intellectual honesty, please.

Tell us what you mean by judge then.
Click to expand...

I saw it - did you read it?

Here's a few definitions of it from dictionary.com, which will help give you a fuller range of meaning:

–verb (used with object)
6. to pass legal judgment on; pass sentence on (a person): The court judged him guilty.
7. to hear evidence or legal arguments in (a case) in order to pass judgment; adjudicate; try: The Supreme Court is judging that case.
8. to form a judgment or opinion of; decide upon critically: You can't judge a book by its cover.
9. to decide or settle authoritatively; adjudge: The censor judged the book obscene and forbade its sale.
10. to infer, think, or hold as an opinion; conclude about or assess: He judged her to be correct.
11. to make a careful guess about; estimate: We judged the distance to be about four miles.
12. (of the ancient Hebrew judges) to govern.
–verb (used without object)
13. to act as a judge; pass judgment: No one would judge between us.
14. to form an opinion or estimate: I have heard the evidence and will judge accordingly.
15. to make a mental judgment.
Click to expand...

We see two different connotations with the word 'judge' - 1) passing judgement/sentence 2) Discerning truth/opinion. In fact, "discern" is a synonym of "judge"
 
Nathon Detroit

Nathon Detroit

LIFETIME MEMBER
LIFETIME MEMBER
minuteman said:
Another thing...

People only complain when we judge things like homosexuality, abortion, pornography, fornication, etc.

Not many people complain when we judge child molesters (except Michael Jackson), racists (except for Jeremiah Wright), serial killers (except George Tiller), rapists (except Roman Polanski), etc.

Why? Because the first group of sins most people love and adore. The second groups of sins most people despise (unless their hero did it, then they make an exception).

So, ultimately people don't have a problem with judging in and of itself. Just a problem with what's being judged.
Click to expand...
:first: POTD
 
elohiym

elohiym

Well-known member
csuguy said:
We see two different connotations with the word 'judge' - 1) passing judgement/sentence 2) Discerning truth/opinion. In fact, "discern" is a synonym of "judge"
Click to expand...

What are saying you should do when you see a child molester molesting a child? Judge or judge?
 
Rusha

Rusha

LIFETIME MEMBER
LIFETIME MEMBER
Hall of Fame
minuteman said:
Another thing...

People only complain when we judge things like homosexuality, abortion, pornography, fornication, etc.

Not many people complain when we judge child molesters (except Michael Jackson), racists (except for Jeremiah Wright), serial killers (except George Tiller), rapists (except Roman Polanski), etc.

Why? Because the first group of sins most people love and adore. The second groups of sins most people despise (unless their hero did it, then they make an exception).

So, ultimately people don't have a problem with judging in and of itself. Just a problem with what's being judged.
Click to expand...

I think it's more complicated then what you have stated above ... let me explain.

Judging is part of life. No matter how much people deny it, it is part of human nature and we ALL do it.

In regards to people judging "things like homosexuality, abortion, pornography, fornication, etc." it isn't a matter of judging so much as compared to the level it is judged at.

Things such as rape, abortion, child molestation, etc. ALWAYS victimize non consenting persons and are done with either malicious intent or in complete disregard for the human being they are victimizing. The results of these are ALWAYS devastating to the victim and the intent is always malicious.

While I do believe that pornography or fornication are all unsavory , IMO, they do not rise to the same level as the other actions because people who willingly consent are not victims.

Also, as far as the likes of Michael Jackson, George Tiller, Roman Polanski, etc., they certainly do NOT get a free pass as far as I am concerned.
 
death2impiety

death2impiety

Maximeee's Husband
I have discerned that judging is judgmental and so I will discern with great discernment that judgment should be reserved after much discerning.
 
Y

yokefellow

New member
minuteman said:
My thoughts.

1. Sinners don't like judging b/c they don't want their sins exposed.
2. Most Christians don't like judging b/c they want people to like them (or at least they want sinners to feel warm and fuzzy about Christianity)

However, EVERYONE that says "don't judge" is judging someone else of doing wrong.

People, if you don't like judging just respond with "I prefer not to judge." Any response about what people ought to do concerning judging reveals to everyone that you are a hypocrite. Just a tip.
Click to expand...

In regards to #2, I couldn't agree more. I've heard it said that Christians are loving people straight into hell, meaning "oh, don't judge them, just love them. We don't want to hurt their feelings (or have them not like us)." While I agree we should be loving, we also need to hold each other accountable for our actions. Discernment should also be used on how and when to go about having this conversation with someone as well.
 
csuguy

csuguy

Well-known member
elohiym said:
What are saying you should do when you see a child molester molesting a child? Judge or judge?
Click to expand...

You should discern that the child needs help and protect him. It is not a matter of judging the molestors sins that you act on - but the matter of the childs saftey and well being.
 
csuguy

csuguy

Well-known member
yokefellow said:
In regards to #2, I couldn't agree more. I've heard it said that Christians are loving people straight into hell, meaning "oh, don't judge them, just love them. We don't want to hurt their feelings (or have them not like us)." While I agree we should be loving, we also need to hold each other accountable for our actions. Discernment should also be used on how and when to go about having this conversation with someone as well.
Click to expand...

My experience is that Christians take judging to the other extreme far more often. In fact, on my campus we regularly get a 'christians' in the free speech area telling everyone they are going to hell. They forget love and forgiveness and how Christ approached people - and try to scare them. Which of course doesn't work - it only causes people to mock Christianity. And, quite frankly, I can't blaming them for mocking it when people like that are representing us.
 
PlastikBuddha

PlastikBuddha

New member
We have the responsibility of judging to the best of our ability- but we must always bear in mind that our perception and wisdom are both pitifully limited compared to His. In practical terms, I think this limits us to judging only exterior actions and consequences.
 
Rusha

Rusha

LIFETIME MEMBER
LIFETIME MEMBER
Hall of Fame
yokefellow said:
In regards to #2, I couldn't agree more. I've heard it said that Christians are loving people straight into hell, meaning "oh, don't judge them, just love them. We don't want to hurt their feelings (or have them not like us)." While I agree we should be loving, we also need to hold each other accountable for our actions. Discernment should also be used on how and when to go about having this conversation with someone as well.
Click to expand...

To me this is an oversimplification in regards to judging and *loving people straight to hell*.

FTR, I have had my share of conversations with Christians as well as a few people on this sight telling me in private that they would love to share the word of Christ with me.

Sharing something out of love is not a bad thing even if the person being shared with doesn't believe their life is lacking.

However, IF that sharing includes telling someone they are wicked, calling names or making unsubstantiated accusations followed by telling them how much you will enjoy seeing them burn in hell, then the message will be taken as it is meant ... that hatred is the sole motivation behind *witnessing*.

I think in many cases it is more about how the message is delivered (in hate) rather than the actual message.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top