Religious Judgement

Could you please clarify/elaborate on what you mean by "judging for sinning"?

I mean, if I know of someone who is committing adultery and I think it's a jacked up thing for them to do, does that make me "judgey"?

One word, hypocrite!!!! This is one thing that I have a difficult time understanding as well. Being a mother, who is a lesbian I find that many are quick to judge and are very ignorant, whats worse is about 90% of the people that says they "hate" gays are very religious and mainly catholic. They pretend to have these moral and religious beliefs but their actions show the opposite. I try not to let those people bother me but at times it does ,I used to be angry but now I just really feel sorry for them. I think every single person religious or not should try to just treat everyone the way they want to be treated.

Some people are not exactly judging (maybe a touch it's human), but are questioning the motives and not understanding the situation as a whole. Humans tend to "walk away" from or "scoff" at situations we do not understand - hence the judgy feeling.

You know what, I have met FAR more really good religious people...then judgmental bigots. The judgmental bigots stick out more, because they were just so far off.

I am a "religious" person. Actually, I'm not very religious, but I am a Christian. I don't think I have the right to judge anyone. I do some pretty selfish, sinful things...as everyone does. I DO think that people of faith (whatever that faith may be) are generally called to hold others of faith accountable. If I see my best friend over there stealing, I believe I am called to say something about that. Not telling them they are going to hell (there will be a lot of thieves and sinners in hell...like me!! ,) but holding them accountable to the life they told me they want to live. They could probably think that's judgmental, but that's not really my problem.

Also, I can believe something is wrong...and NOT hate the person!! I can say, I think sex before marriage is a sin, and I don't hate someone who is sleeping with their boyfriend. I think people take things REALLY personally. Like, I'm condemning. I don't just walk around saying something is wrong, but if I'm asked I will be honest. Also, that doesn't mean their sleeping with their boyfriend is more wrong then anything I've done. And...like I said...I don't think about it unless I'm asked!

Well, I think the problem is, we all have a different definition of the word 'judge'.

:(

And so, I guess I don't know the answer to your question. I hope it's not going to be on the quiz! (And yes, I'm being a smartass)

What is the context of your question?
I know a lot of judgmental people who are NOT religious as well.

For folks to answer in any way that actually might make any sense, it would be best if everyone was speaking with the same terminology. What exactly do you mean by "judging"? Do you mean
'Why do people say someone is doing something they shouldn't?' Do you mean 'Why do people think one way is ok and another is not?' What exactly does "judge" mean?

I don't go around telling people how to live their lives. But I don't think that means that I can't have an opinion about other people's choices. I can. I just can't share what they are when I'm not asked, without being rude.

As a Christian, I believe that there are concrete truths about how we SHOULD live and behave. Do I do that always? Of course not. But I am aware that there is still a "right" thing, even if I don't do it always. Doing what is not "right" is still sin, no matter who is doing it. Being aware that I am doing something I shouldn't calls me to ask for forgiveness. Standing around yelling that what I'm doing IS right (when it isn't) makes me either uninformed, or a fool.
And I'm not being a smart a** either. I am being honest.

Perhaps if someone is telling someone else that they are doing something "wrong", it is because they care about the person and want them to understand that there IS such a thing as right and wrong. And when you are wrong, YOU are wrong. And there is a way to deal with doing wrong and sinning....repent and be forgiven. I think MOST people who are perceived as being "judgmental" are probably attempting to call someone to repentance for the person's own good, out of care and compassion. Maybe they have poor people skills, though. :/

Molly:

Opinions can be like judgment. Will I render mine? Yeah. As an opinion. It may come out as a judgment. I don't think you are being a smart a$$ at all. You are asking a valid question.

As to your sin - that's YOUR burden to carry - not mine. You will have to atone for it. You have to live with that. If you can look yourself in the mirror every day knowing your actions - then that's YOUR stuff.

I've made plenty of mistakes in my life and broken a few of the Golden Rules....yikes...but those are MINE. I own up to them. I've learned from them too. So if you have sin...if you have learned from them - that's GREAT!!!

I STILL like you - warts and all!! (I know you don't have warts, but if you did!! I'd still like you!!!)

He who is without sin casts the first stone. I find it funny that those who seem to be able to quote very specific parts of the bible to put someone down or call them a sinner seems to forget that rather well known verse. :(

I call those that attack with the bible bible thumpers. Get it, thump you with a bible, yeah I am witty. :)

I figure I got enough to answer to god for, don't need to be adding to the list by judging others.

I do believe they work through it by rationalizing that they are quoting the bible therefore god is judging, not them. They kind of forget that by quoting the bible they are saying this is what god thinks and how he would apply his word. Not sure I would ever be bold enough to put words in god's mouth, ya know?

See now, that's what really gets my goat about the evangelical types. Please pardon me if I offend anyone, but I have never understood why they are so damn judgmental about what others do with their lives, their sexuality, the birth control that others may/may not use. Because they are not following the word of God. *off my soapbox*

... from a Christian

Can I get a AMEN! Woot woot! I definately agree with you on this one! And i'm MUSLIM! I get agrrivated by people that continue to point out the "wrong" in others but seem to surpass their own wrong doing. And I agree and this is even in MY religion...NOBODY CAN JUDGE ME BUT GOD!

Truly religious people know that all sin is equal and NO O. is without sin.
There are no "big" sins or "little" sins. Sin is sin.

What do you mean by "judging"? If it's not being a part of someone's life because they don't approve of the "sins" they commit (i.e. drug addiction, drinking, gambling, etc.) that's every person's choice. It's not necessarily judging if you refuse to be a party to it/help it/condone it.

Religious person or not.... all people are human.
And all humans, struggle with not so pleasant behaviors.
And all humans, are not perfect.

Just because one is Christian or is not a Christian doesn't mean they can not be judgemental. Sadly, this is a common, garden variety flaw that all people harbor to one degree or another. It is one of the most difficult sins to overcome. The bible is chock full of passages about humility and pointing fingers and finding fault with others. Humilty is a virtue that is hard to come by for all people but is noble to strive for. It takes a special person to find and tackle the tendency or weakness to be judgemental, and in turn strive to overcome this fault by choosing be a kind and fair with others.

To feel better about myself of course! :P

I don't think it's right and try not to do it, but am guilty of it just like everyone else!

I do think there is a difference between judgment and discernment.

Please. Nobody intends to judge as if it's their right, it's human nature to see others' choices and decisions and evaluate them in our own minds. It's how we learn about others and the world around us.

It's a matter of whether you keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself or spout them out as if you know best.

I doubt you are completely free from ever having a judgemental thought.

Humans=Sinners, Christians=Sinners, that's the first thing you learn in church NO ONE IS PERFECT. I don't know one single person in my 20 years of Christianity who claims they are perfect and without sin. Every Sunday at Church you learn this.

You claim to not making people feel bad for their decisions, but isn't that exactly what you are doing?

Some people judge others because it makes them feel better about themselves.

I really try not to be judgmental because Lord knows I've done some pretty stupid things and made some extremely poor decisions. Not saying that I've never done it, but I really make an effort not to.

God didn't give the laws, as in Exodus 20, because he hated people but because he loved them. He will judge not us. The law was given to show us what sin is, how to come to God by having the sin forgiven and so we are to love others whether they are doing right or wrong. On the other hand we are free to 'be witnesses' and tell people they are sinning and to turn to God, not judging but telling them the way out of sin. If you saw someone in a burning house you'd want to save them regardless of what started the fire. It's sort of the same thing. Sin is sin, it needs to be called sin. Even if it offends someone it's still sin. But the person is cared about and loved by God and by us. I don't know if that makes sense to you but that is not judging. Only God does that and that's the final reward/punishment. We aren't ever 'good' enough to get to Heaven so of course all of us have sin. Only those who ask forgiveness and turn from that sin are going to see God. That's His words in the Bible so you either believe it or don't. If someone is sinning they don't like to be told that it's sin and often they feel offended by that. We need to be sure we are speaking in a loving way. I think there is a difference in God judging us and being judgmental which can often lack love. Read John 3:16 which most of us have heard, but verses 17-21 also are God's words saying he did not come to condemn the world but....

I think you have this a bit confused. Only God can judge wether a person goes to heaven or hell. We all have an obligation to judge right and wrong actions. We are called to love the sinner but to hate the sin.

I guess you could also look at it this way and I'll just use gays/lesbians as an example (no hate mail, I'm just using it as an example since it's definitely a religous topic these days and I could care less if you are GLBT or a polka dotted monkey, I still like you)....

Those who consider themselves religious and are taught that being gay/lesbian is a sin feel like they are caught between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, you have the GLBT movement that want to be accepted and have rights but on the other hand, it leaves the religious people feeling like the GLBT are judging them because their religious leaders are teaching them it's a sin. So is the GLBT being judgemental about those who are trying to follow their religious teachings? Who is making a sin then in this situation?

I personally think that we are in no way supposed to judge one another, you may not agree with anothers actions but in no way should we love that person less. I can't solve your sins, only you can so why waste my time wallowing in someone elses problems? No thanks, I have my own:)

Great question!. I wonder the same thing all the time. There are also a lot of hypocritical religious people out there too.

I know some people (and even church leaders) who refuse to help someone who is asking for help with their problem. They think that a christian should at least have the "image" of being perfect. We do not have anything to do with those type of people because of that.
Of course everyone sins. I'm no where near perfect. I don't expect anyone to be perfect either. To me, a sin is a sin. There isn't any that is worse than the other. But once I realize that I have sinned, I ask God for forgiveness and I try not to do it again. But, again, I'm not perfect, and I'm so glad that my God is a loving and forgiving God.

I am a religious person and as far as I know or learned from the Word/Bible is we were not put on this earth to judge anyone else.

Good question Molly,

We all have sin and come short, that is in the word (Bible) and if anyone will say that they do not they are a lie.

Judging someone is taking something or a situation that they have done and holding it against them as a judge in the court of law would do.

When you communicate to someone that they have done something to you that was wrong, than that is something different (a lot of people will say u are judging them for calling them on their wrong doing). If you try to hold them in comtempt for what they did after they have apoligized and changed the actions than yes you are judging. If they do not change it is not judging them to separate yourself from them.

It is all in how it is handled. IMHO

My sister will constantly say that I judge her but I do not. I do not accept when her sins began to INFECT my family. For example I believe she introduced drinking to my oldest daugher when she was a teenager. I will not give her chance to do so with our younger ones and when I call her on it, I am judging her! NOPE I am holding her accountable for her wrong behavior towards me and mines.

So I simply give her room to mature and now I think I am better. NO I WANT BETTER! especially for our children.

I have noticed that when you are trying to change and become closer to GOD somethings and people have to change if they stand in the way of the path that you are trying to walk with GOD. You get serious about your relationship with GOD and some may try to encourage or talk about all the things that they have discovered that THEY have done wrong and try to help the people that is close to them by pointing out thier so called flaws but that is the wrong thing to do. We are to walk/work out our own salvation and leave that between us and GOD.

Yes passing judgement is a no in the eyes of the Lord that is for him to do but we are to be fruit inspectors.

The saint and the sinner are just exchanging notes. Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.

God is more pleased when our walk speaks of who he is rather than our talk!

I desperately try not to judge- but of course I do fall short at times. My new motto on the subject is to "hate the sin, not the sinner". Just because I disagree with something a person is doing/not doing, doesn't mean I am judging them as a whole. Good people do bad things and make bad decisions all the time- and I don't exclude myself in saying that.

We are all human, that is why we judge another person and their sin. Its not right, but I think that is why. As for who is the ultimate judge---God is and should be the only one judging. I do my best to not judge but its not humanely possible to not judge---its in our nature as people and part of being an imperfect, flawed human.

I don't necessarily think of myself as religious, but more spiritual and I do believe in God. But in a sense you answered your own question. We are all sinners, and casting judgment is a sin. I'd like to give you a reason why I do it, but I think as people we cast judgment on others all the time, their religion, their parenting, their lifestyle choices, etc. Should we, no, but do we yes. We are all a work in progress. I try my best, however, that if I don't agree with your decisions, to keep it to myself, you have the right to make your own decisions.

I am not well appreciated in the religious circles of my friends.

I think it's going to go like this...each and every person came to earth to gain a human body, to live, to die, to make choices, to grow. They came to earth with their own trials and tribulations to go through. How am I supposed to know what God has planned for them, how am I supposed to decide how they should or should not live, it's not my choice or trial.

But it may be "my" trial to decide to judge others or to not to.

Maybe it makes them feel better to judge others because that way they feel there are other with “worst sins” than theirs, or because some people believe that going to church (mass, temple, synagogue, etc), every week and talking about God to everyone or giving charity makes you a good “Christian” or “Jew” or “Muslim”, but if you don’t really accept God in your heart and make and do everything with love, you’re kidding yourself.
It reminds me of a phrase I recently read from Mother Teresa that says that it doesn’t really matter how much you give, but how much love you give it with.

Yep we all sin...I don't judge someone who makes a mistake because we all do it and deserve as many chances as God give us if we are genuine in wanting to learn from our mistakes and there is genuine remorse....
It becomes quite the Murky water when the person says one thing and then does the opposite. In situations because I am human there will be some judgement on my part whether I vocalize it or keep it to myself. i.e. a friend of mine is dating a married man and should know better..Like me she is supposed to be walking the walk and she isn't. I DO NOT judge those who are doing the best they can....it's those who don't or don't care. Accountability is important...Certainly if I am falling off the band wagon I would hope someone would point that out in love and caring....

Why? Cause people LOVE to judge, so they can feel better about themselves and their flaws...it's not even something necessarily religion-related, although the concept of "sin" itself calls for the purest form of judgement as religion is THE ultimate form of "legalized" (or socially accepted) judgement. Personally, I can tell how comforting is, to that kind of people,to witness somebody else's failure, shortcoming or *sin* -however you want to call it. Their eyes light up, they have more subjects to talk about with their alike-minded peers, looking even more pure and, strangely, compassionate - but they really look down to the people they *think* are sinning, and feel so relieved it's not THEM -for that time, that is. The good news is that there are so many religions (and related set of values) as there are human groups, each of them develop their own standards to judge themselves and the rest of the world against. So what's *sin* to you, could very well NOT be for someone else and (here's the kicker) therefore, in the end, ALL IS RELATIVE. Like anything else, religion carries the good and the bad (which makes me think of Thaoism, yet another form of "religion"), so if you decided to devote yourself to your religion, i guess you are bound to be judged by it.

Check out the book "The Anatomy of Peace" by the Arbinger Institute.