I've been meaning to discuss this here for a while, and I hope I fully explain what I hope we can discuss.
Basically, is it ever OK to judge anyone?
We've all heard how it's wrong to judge someone because we have no idea what is going through their heads or what they've been through. That is very true. I find people who judge like that are either ignorant or have their own problems.
But what about when someone does something very wrong? Like a mass murder or a child molester? Or even just a nasty person at work or the classmate who has such poor self-esteem no one talks that person? Are we wrong when we say or think, "wow, what a psycho/freak/asshole, etc."?
I've heard some people - usually conservatives - say while we shouldn't judge the person, we have a right to judge the action or situation. For example, if someone tells another that having pre-marital sex is wrong or quitting a boring job is stupid, is that being judgmental of the person or the situation?
Now, that last example shows how the lines can be blurred between judging a person and a situation. Often people think when someone criticizes what they are doing, they are criticizing the very essence of themselves. Also, I get the feeling when some say, "don't judge me", it sometimes sounds like they know what they are doing is wrong or crazy, but they don't want to admit it.
So, when is it OK to judge someone? Is it ever OK? When are we really judging a situation and not the person?
I can expand on those questions, but there would be too much. Besides, if this thread goes anywhere, those questions can come up on their own.
Thoughts?
Basically, is it ever OK to judge anyone?
We've all heard how it's wrong to judge someone because we have no idea what is going through their heads or what they've been through. That is very true. I find people who judge like that are either ignorant or have their own problems.
But what about when someone does something very wrong? Like a mass murder or a child molester? Or even just a nasty person at work or the classmate who has such poor self-esteem no one talks that person? Are we wrong when we say or think, "wow, what a psycho/freak/asshole, etc."?
I've heard some people - usually conservatives - say while we shouldn't judge the person, we have a right to judge the action or situation. For example, if someone tells another that having pre-marital sex is wrong or quitting a boring job is stupid, is that being judgmental of the person or the situation?
Now, that last example shows how the lines can be blurred between judging a person and a situation. Often people think when someone criticizes what they are doing, they are criticizing the very essence of themselves. Also, I get the feeling when some say, "don't judge me", it sometimes sounds like they know what they are doing is wrong or crazy, but they don't want to admit it.
So, when is it OK to judge someone? Is it ever OK? When are we really judging a situation and not the person?
I can expand on those questions, but there would be too much. Besides, if this thread goes anywhere, those questions can come up on their own.
Thoughts?