YA 85
Marie Asks:
Why have all the Christians I have come to meet judge?
I'm not saying all Christians judge. Just the ones I've met. I went to a Christian school for 8th grade and just about everyone I've met there always had something negative to say about someone even the teacher! I remember we were in the gym and she said 'why is that girl wearing dirty clothes? It's disgusting.' I was surprised at this because I assumed she would be more understanding. (the girl was actually really poor) I'm just wondering what gives these people the right to judge another human being like that and still be able to claim that they are 'good Christians'
My Response:
So far, Velma's answer seems to be the best one.
My thoughts are along the same lines. The incident you tell us about is the act of a child who is still learning and hasn't yet matured. When we are reborn into Christianity, it is not like we suddenly and instantanesoulsy become perfect people. Christians are not perfect, just forgiven, and our lives from the moment we receive Christ is a journey to grow and learn to be like Him. It doesn't happen all at once.
There are a lot of people who come on here and bring up this same question, however, and usually it is not about children who speak out of childhood foolishness. Part of the problem is understanding and recognizing that there is a difference between judging someone and warning them. If I approach you as you step out into a busy street in downtown New York and tell you that running out into the street will get you killed, I am not passing judgement on your behavior, but am instead warning you that you are doing something you should not do and it may cause you harm. The same can be said if I speak out to someone who is practicing a sinful act. I am not passing judgement, but warning them that they are seperating themselves from God.
Christians do not have the ability to pass judgement. Only God can judge. But Christians do have the responsibility to give warning and try to help others see the error of their ways.
The next time you feel you are being judged, keep that in mind. As yourself is this person judging you or is this person just trying to warn you that you are doing something wrong? It is a very subtle, but very distinctly important difference.
Velma's response before I posted:
What exactly does "judge" mean? I don't believe the situation you describe required looking into the 'poor' girl's heart to see she was wearing soiled clothing, it was obvious, therefore no judging.
Why the one you call 'christian' said that I can not judge, neither can you because that does require "guessing" or judging her heart.
I can suggest a few reasons which might apply in general:
1. a person is not a Christian unless/until that person has "accepted Jesus as their own Savior". At 8th grade she might not yet have done that.
2. Even if she had, she would not be a 'mature' Christian yt, what we might call a "baby" Christian. Would you expect from a physical baby what you expect from an adult? Same applies to the spiritual.
3. While it may be 'unkind' whether one is a Christian or not, it may be merely that.
4. "poor" is usually meant to say 'lacking in money' but that is no excuse for 'being dirty'. There is usually another reason for having 'dirty' clothing on. People have the tendency to expect everyone to live up to their 'standards' in everything, clean being at the top of most people's list. And by projecting those standards we are not always considerate or kind. Forgiveness demands we allow them to be who they are and love them for the person not what they 'look' like.
5.When we 'accuse' others of judging we are in fact 'judging' them. It is a very tricky slope to navigate and best not tried by humans.
Why have all the Christians I have come to meet judge?
I'm not saying all Christians judge. Just the ones I've met. I went to a Christian school for 8th grade and just about everyone I've met there always had something negative to say about someone even the teacher! I remember we were in the gym and she said 'why is that girl wearing dirty clothes? It's disgusting.' I was surprised at this because I assumed she would be more understanding. (the girl was actually really poor) I'm just wondering what gives these people the right to judge another human being like that and still be able to claim that they are 'good Christians'
My Response:
So far, Velma's answer seems to be the best one.
My thoughts are along the same lines. The incident you tell us about is the act of a child who is still learning and hasn't yet matured. When we are reborn into Christianity, it is not like we suddenly and instantanesoulsy become perfect people. Christians are not perfect, just forgiven, and our lives from the moment we receive Christ is a journey to grow and learn to be like Him. It doesn't happen all at once.
There are a lot of people who come on here and bring up this same question, however, and usually it is not about children who speak out of childhood foolishness. Part of the problem is understanding and recognizing that there is a difference between judging someone and warning them. If I approach you as you step out into a busy street in downtown New York and tell you that running out into the street will get you killed, I am not passing judgement on your behavior, but am instead warning you that you are doing something you should not do and it may cause you harm. The same can be said if I speak out to someone who is practicing a sinful act. I am not passing judgement, but warning them that they are seperating themselves from God.
Christians do not have the ability to pass judgement. Only God can judge. But Christians do have the responsibility to give warning and try to help others see the error of their ways.
The next time you feel you are being judged, keep that in mind. As yourself is this person judging you or is this person just trying to warn you that you are doing something wrong? It is a very subtle, but very distinctly important difference.
Velma's response before I posted:
What exactly does "judge" mean? I don't believe the situation you describe required looking into the 'poor' girl's heart to see she was wearing soiled clothing, it was obvious, therefore no judging.
Why the one you call 'christian' said that I can not judge, neither can you because that does require "guessing" or judging her heart.
I can suggest a few reasons which might apply in general:
1. a person is not a Christian unless/until that person has "accepted Jesus as their own Savior". At 8th grade she might not yet have done that.
2. Even if she had, she would not be a 'mature' Christian yt, what we might call a "baby" Christian. Would you expect from a physical baby what you expect from an adult? Same applies to the spiritual.
3. While it may be 'unkind' whether one is a Christian or not, it may be merely that.
4. "poor" is usually meant to say 'lacking in money' but that is no excuse for 'being dirty'. There is usually another reason for having 'dirty' clothing on. People have the tendency to expect everyone to live up to their 'standards' in everything, clean being at the top of most people's list. And by projecting those standards we are not always considerate or kind. Forgiveness demands we allow them to be who they are and love them for the person not what they 'look' like.
5.When we 'accuse' others of judging we are in fact 'judging' them. It is a very tricky slope to navigate and best not tried by humans.