Judge Not?

I steadfastly oppose abortion, transgenderism, gay marriage, euthanasia, and other defining social issues of our time. Progressives critics are rather harsh of folks like me who hold unwavering opinions with regard to these matters. We are labeled “judgmental”, “ignorant conservative”, “authoritarian”, “hateful”, “intolerant bigot”, “Nazi”, “pissed off”, “hypocritical” “religious nut”. The list describing us has no end. It takes little time for some I’ve recently engaged to write me off, not for who I am, but for simply taking stands on these issues.

Critics see us as being led astray by what they say is an increasingly radical Christianity. -the-threat-to-us-democracy

Today, immersed in existential crisis and a moral panic, these Christian nationalists are casting aside the core values of democracy, the scholars said. They’re backing autocratic political leaders who espouse their religious values. And they’re using minority rule to marginalize opponents and to impose their values on the broader society.

On the other hand, I see life today as choosing between two standards:

• moral relativism (anything goes) values provided by our progressive culture
• Judeo-Christian values provided by our faith

It is simple, not radical. The only radical thing is how starkly different the two value systems are. As I told my children throughout their youth: we already know which team wins and which team loses. The choice is easy.

We are attempting to correct, not condemn, subjugate, or radicalize. We are seeking the narrow path for ourselves and others, avoiding the more popular paths which do not fulfill or sustain us.

Christians should not see life as a competition to determine who has done the most good. We shouldn’t be determining who are the better people. We should not try to impress anyone with our moral credentials or accomplishments.

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

How we persuade others matters. We must separate the person from the issue (https://diplolearn.org/2013/05/21/4-principles-for-getting-to-yes/). I always grant (at least, initially) others are sincere in their beliefs. When engaging on social issues, we should stay focused on the issues: Why is abortion (transgenderism, gay marriage, euthanasia, etc.) a bad choice? What harm does it cause? What are the better alternatives? What is it others do not know about it?

Our skeptics love to quote scripture to us. Christians are too judgmental, they say. After all, Jesus told us to “Judge not”. Who are we to tell others what to do or to determine right and wrong? We are no better than they are Just live and let live. However, our critics often don’t understand their own philosophy and values, much less ours. We are not saying we are better or that we have all the answers, but we do believe in and follow something better than ourselves.

“Judge Not” comes from Jesus’ sermon on the mount (Matthew, Chapters 5-7). Other well known phrases: “turn the other cheek”, “go the extra mile”, and the most difficult of all “love your enemies” are included in this sermon.

 “Stop judging,^* that you may not be judged.

For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.

Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?

How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while the wooden beam is in your eye?

You hypocrite,^* remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:1-5

“Judge not” may be the most misunderstood scripture passage. How we interpret this in the modern world makes a world of difference.

What Judgment is Not

Many interchange “judge” with “criticize”. Criticism is essential to improving ourselves. Judging, as Jesus meant, is something slightly different. Criticism is valid, not to be discarded. Each of us makes the same mistakes repeatedly if not corrected by ourselves or another.

You don’t judge me and I won’t judge you, is the common refrain today. In other words: don’t criticize me and I won’t criticize you. This is not what Jesus meant. Instead, this is moral relativism, the great failing of our culture today. How nice if this path actually led to success. It is easy (and oh-so- tempting) to set and reset our own standard, especially without being burdened with criticism from others. Unfortunately, we all lack the proper perspective to judge ourselves. We need others perspectives, and we need a standard outside and above ourselves.

We need the criticisms of our friends, neighbors, colleagues, family, coaches, parishioners, and all the rest. Without criticisms we stagnate. Without others, and most importantly without God, to continually set us straight, we fail. Rely on your own standard, ignore others criticisms, withdraw from your faith and your fellow faithful to follow your own “spiritual” path and you lose all perspective.

The argument against abortion is unwavering because God’s standard demands it. If it is truly just a choice then that truth should easily withstand our criticisms.

The unborn child is the most vulnerable in our society. That child cannot speak for itself, cannot defend itself, and the one who should be that child’s protector is the very one who abandons that child in its time of need. The criticism should not be softened; conscience demands it be exposed. Defenders say there is no guilt and no shame in any choice. The author of the following believes ALL choices should be affirmed, never criticized.

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/100-okay-with-abortion

Choosing not to bring a child into your life, at any time of your life, does not make you less of a woman. There are women who find themselves pregnant at an older age and feel that they cannot carry a child at that time of their life. Whether this decision is made because of health concerns, or simply because the pregnancy is unplanned, choosing abortion is still perfectly okay.

Choosing abortion is okay. Not choosing abortion is okay.

Believing abortion is wrong is okay. Believing abortion is a woman’s right is okay.

Shaming a woman for choosing, or not choosing, abortion is not okay.

Shaming a person for their beliefs regarding abortion is not okay.

A woman’s reason for abortion is her own business, not yours.

Next time you find yourself in a discussion about abortion, I hope you will remember to consider the feelings of the person sitting opposite you. We all have personal reasons for the beliefs we hold on this topic and we should all be considerate of others’ beliefs. Next time you find yourself judging a person for their opinions on abortion, remember that whatever a person believes, it is okay.

She seeks middle ground on abortion; a middle ground should unite us all, she believes, but it doesn’t quite work.

Would we compromise with Dr. Mengele and his evil fuhrer? Would we accept they had legitimate views of medicine and experimentation? Would we argue some good eventually came from their so-called “science”? Any evil can be rationalized. We wouldn’t compromise with the Nazis and we shouldn’t compromise with pro-choice advocates either, no matter how good their intentions, no matter how much they care about others, or how nice they themselves are. They pretend nobody is hurt by abortion, ignoring the primary victim altogether.

“Judgment”, in the article’s view, is inflexible, uncompromising, and intolerant. We must always be understanding of each other; live and let live. Our culture seeks to eliminate all forms of judgment, including our criticisms.

She also references feelings, as if they trump all. How about the soul of the person making this choice? Our souls are eternal, but feelings are ephemeral.

This article implies more choices promote freedom, and freedom is supposedly the ultimate good. Those who “judge”, those who offer opinions on right and wrong, limit choices and restrict freedom. Calling abortion evil (or not condoning gay marriage, claiming homosexuality is a sin, saying transgenders delude themselves, saying euthanasia is not merciful, etc) is deemed “judgmental”. It is too restrictive, too limiting of our choices.

The author argues abortion is just another choice, one choice among many. She wants to appear high minded, allowing others their opposing views, but when we say not all choices are good, we run afoul of her. Again: don’t criticize her views and she won’t criticize ours (ironically, moral relativists like her do much “judging” of their own). However, the choice she advocates is taking the life of another. How can we possibly look the other way?

She also wrongly implies all choices are equally and morally good. We eventually suffer the consequences from our bad choices. These choices eventually bind us in guilt and shame, and ultimately rob us of freedom. More choices, unfortunately, generally means more bad choices. With the panoply of choices available to our youth today, how can so many not go astray? Limiting choices, as any good parent knows, ironically provides a better chance of success in life.

Would Jesus withhold his own opinion in these instances? Would Jesus ask us to withhold our own opinions or would He want us to advocate for His truth? I am compelled to criticize.

Abortion, gay marriage, transgenderism, and euthanasia are not good choices, not for individuals and not for our culture. We cannot prevent others from making such choices; we seek to dissuade instead. Yet, our critics cannot accept that standard. Our refusal to affirm their preferred choices translates into: we discriminate against gays, transgenders, and pregnant women; we hate and fear them; we are intolerant, angry and pathetic, etc. What nonsense.

What is Judgment?

Some focus only on Jesus’s message of love and understanding, but He also brought judgment as well.

Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you.” (Matthew 11:24)

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

He said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the Lord who is with you when you render judgment. (2 Chronicles 19:6)

“I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. (John 5:30)

“I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! (Luke 12:49)

All of us judge others’ actions. We judge in a criminal trial. We judge (correct) our children when they behave badly or make mistakes; in fact, withholding judgment is detrimental to their development. We call for interventions when loved ones or friends cannot control destructive behavior (drug abuse, domestic abuse, infidelity, etc.); we should not sit idly by while they destroy their lives. Teachers judge (grade) students. Managers judge (evaluate) employees. Voters judge political leaders. We offer advice because we care; we seek to help others do better and learn from our experience. We judge (criticize) our bosses, our enemies, our favorite sports teams, our political opponents, and practically everyone else. We judge because we believe we know better (we are not always correct, but it is still a common and accepted form of judgment). In short, we judge continually; it is our nature.

Jesus does not tell us to withhold such judgment: to never criticize, to never offer advice, to never evaluate each other. We correct others because we are responsible citizens and responsible Christians. It does not translate to imposing our morality and elevating ourselves above everyone else. We realize we all have much to account for. We are not hypocrites because we sometimes fail to follow Christian precepts; we are hypocrites only if we refuse God’s and others’ judgment of our own failings.

The point is we judge actions while God judges hearts. We shouldn’t presume to know each others thoughts and motivations, but we are expected to keep each other accountable. We cannot maintain a civilized society, otherwise. In contrast, God knows our motivations, our true nature. We should stay in our lane, not crossover into God’s.

The Ultimate Judgment

I condemn abortion because the action is wrong (evil, in fact), but I cannot judge the woman aborting the child because I don’t know her motivations; I don’t know her character. I don’t know her circumstances or all that has driven her to this point. I can criticize this particular action, but I cannot condemn her or call for a public scolding. I give her the benefit of the doubt because my insight is limited. I can walk with her on the journey and offer my perspective (give tough love, perhaps), but I must never make excuses and affirm this action.

The ultimate judgment, reserved for God, is deciding who lives or dies. A child aborted receives the ultimate judgement, a judgment none have the right to impose or condone. This is what “Judge not” truly means: do not determine another’s ultimate fate. Do not send another to their God’s judgment until God calls them Himself.

Be careful of your own motivations as well. We should oppose all forms of the ultimate judgment: abortion, capital punishment, euthanasia, murder (minus a few exceptions). However, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus extends the ten commandments to include anger, hatred, or condemnation that nudges ourselves and others in the wrong direction Judge (and punish as appropriate) actions, but do not seek revenge nor condemn the individual (and show mercy as well); do not presume to know others hearts and motivations. We do not have that authority or that insight.

Furthermore, everyone is redeemable until God says they are not. We don’t know how many chances God wants others to have. We don’t know why some fall into a deplorable state or commit deplorable actions. I understand the desire to judge another, to say my sin is not as great as theirs, but I remember my father saying: there but for the grace of God go I. Who knows what state I might have fallen in myself in different circumstances? I shouldn’t exercise the ultimate judgment against anyone else (save for self-defense or in defense of another’s life). Who am I to intervene in God’s judgment?

With regard to “Judge not”, I am certain God is saddened a million American children aborted annually. Our culture should not judge their lives unworthy. Yet, our culture thinks “Judge not” means something totally different. I fear God will judge America as harshly as Sodom and Gomorrah for the sin of abortion (among others). Why would I not speak up to warn my neighbors?

Speaking Up

Any limitations on abortions are vigorously protested. Critics say we don’t care about women or their rights. Critics discredit our motivations while never acknowledging our real concern–the life of children, the most vulnerable in our society. Many political issues claim to be “for the children”, yet our concern for aborted children is pooh-pooh’d.

Speaking up is necessary, but can be fraught with difficulty and danger, both today and in the past. Bartlome de las casas, a Spanish priest, one of the first to travel to the new world, criticized the inhumane treatment of the West Indies natives. He was shunned, exiled, ignored, and vilified for daring to challenge the encomienda system that made so many Spaniards rich and prestigious. His fellow countrymen rationalized this system saying the Indians were uncivilized, engaged in barbarities themselves, and were not deserving of the dignity afforded civilized Europeans. They could not (would not, perhaps) see the humanity in the Indians.

American Indians were also dehumanized as were African slaves a century later. Jews in concentration camps were dehumanized less than a century ago.

The humanity of unborn children today is overlooked, just as others humanity was overlooked previously. There are also parallels in how de las Casas was treated and how abortion critics are treated today. Our culture sees past atrocities clearly, but finds it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to see its own atrocities, especially if complicit in them.

Lila Rose, head of the Pro Life organization Live Action said “Abortion is violence” and was labeled a domestic terrorist for that true statement: http://www.christianitydaily.com/articles/10506/20210113/pro-life-leader-lila-rose-called-a-terrorist-for-saying-abortion-is-violence.htm.

Human nature is the same as it ever was; we were capable of great evil in the 1500’s and still are today. We must protest or evil wins. De las Casas persisted and eventually persuaded the Spanish king to action. We can move someone as well–if we only try. Apathy and disinterest are the only way to lose this fight. To “judge not” does not mean to be silent in the face of evil–or any wrongdoing for that matter.

The battle for hearts continues. The media declared ending Roe v Wade ended democracy.  It did not.  President Biden laid down a marker of resistance before this decision was rendered. How far he has moved from the teachings of the faith he professes:

“I respect those who believe life begins in the moment of conception – I respect that. Don’t agree but I respect that.

Here is a message to fellow Catholic Joe Biden. Our Church is clear on this topic. There has been no evolution in its thinking. God’s will, not your political interests, matter most:

2270 Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person – among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.
 
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.
 
My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth.
 
2271 Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law:
 
You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish.
 
God, the Lord of life, has entrusted to men the noble mission of safeguarding life, and men must carry it out in a manner worthy of themselves. Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes.
Catechism of the Catholic Church (2270-71)

God became man, so man could become like God. We should follow his example, become more like God, and bring others with us. Our criticism does not violate the principle to “Judge not”. In fact, if we shrink from our duty to criticize and warn others, we may risk bringing God’s judgment on ourselves.

Dave https://seek-the-truth.com/about/
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