Judging versus Judgment
For much of my early 20s, growing up in a postmodernist, gay affirmative church has often made me feel reluctant to make a stand on most matters, especially ethical ones. I guess because after facing so much judgment and discrimination, one is right to be cautious and maybe hesitant to say a simple yes or no. And I suppose it's not all that bad since I can remember simpler times when things were black and white and I thought I knew the answers, yet, later on only to horror realize how foolish I was.
And so, I decided to be 'all inclusive'.
But really, I'm starting to wonder if rather than making me more accepting, loving and open-minded, such a position has left me handicapped and ineffective as a Christian. More than advancing my faith, it's left me distant from God. In most situations, my so-called all inclusive stance has more often been a wishy washy, non-committal cop out of seriously engaging with an issue, or with people around me.
Truth be told, I do have a stance on many issues, only that I'm hesitant with going public about them. I guess that's because going public means being committed to a particular moral position and being held accountable should you fail to live up to it. Horror of horrors! Judge not that ye may not be judged! That's what the bible says. When we judge others, be aware that we too would be judged by the same standards or criteria.
But perhaps, there is a difference between being judging and making a judgment.
In life, we are faced with a myriad of choices. Taking choice A negates choice B. Each choice takes us on a different path. Regardless of which choice we make, make it we have to. Because otherwise, how does one move along the path of life? It is this sense of inertia and stagnation that plagues me these days nowadays. Refusing to make a decision, or avoiding the need to make a stand. But if we don't make choices, we'll forever be in limbo - no?
But it's not just being stuck in limbo. It's a barrier to love. And if I might add, a barrier to being Christian.
Because to love another always involves making a choice and making a commitment. And I'm not just talking about romantic love. It's love in all its shapes sizes and forms. It's parental love. It's the love of friends. It's the love of people, including those who are oppressed and marginalized. Even being inclusive means making a choice to love in spite of misgivings. Misgivings that are very real and sometimes, very justified. And yet, one still chooses to love.
And so, I decided to be 'all inclusive'.
But really, I'm starting to wonder if rather than making me more accepting, loving and open-minded, such a position has left me handicapped and ineffective as a Christian. More than advancing my faith, it's left me distant from God. In most situations, my so-called all inclusive stance has more often been a wishy washy, non-committal cop out of seriously engaging with an issue, or with people around me.
Truth be told, I do have a stance on many issues, only that I'm hesitant with going public about them. I guess that's because going public means being committed to a particular moral position and being held accountable should you fail to live up to it. Horror of horrors! Judge not that ye may not be judged! That's what the bible says. When we judge others, be aware that we too would be judged by the same standards or criteria.
But perhaps, there is a difference between being judging and making a judgment.
In life, we are faced with a myriad of choices. Taking choice A negates choice B. Each choice takes us on a different path. Regardless of which choice we make, make it we have to. Because otherwise, how does one move along the path of life? It is this sense of inertia and stagnation that plagues me these days nowadays. Refusing to make a decision, or avoiding the need to make a stand. But if we don't make choices, we'll forever be in limbo - no?
But it's not just being stuck in limbo. It's a barrier to love. And if I might add, a barrier to being Christian.
Because to love another always involves making a choice and making a commitment. And I'm not just talking about romantic love. It's love in all its shapes sizes and forms. It's parental love. It's the love of friends. It's the love of people, including those who are oppressed and marginalized. Even being inclusive means making a choice to love in spite of misgivings. Misgivings that are very real and sometimes, very justified. And yet, one still chooses to love.