Is it okay to judge?

When is it okay to judge someone else?

You can judge anyone how you wish in your mind. But morally (my morals), that judgement should not extend into causing others grief or harm unless law dictates otherwise.

I don't have to like anyone, or lend them assistance if they are in need. But, that also doesn't give me the right force my will or beliefs on them either.

It's a simple live and let live philosophy that I've found provides balance in my life.. be judged on your actions, not on pre-concieved notions. Sometimes that's difficult to do for some people, especially if they feel strongly about their own beliefs (be they right or wrong).

I'm not religious by any means.. infact I find organized religions tend to conflict with my above point of view. That doesn't mean I'm above healthy, yet friendly debating.

I like the way you worded your reply.

Is stating your opinon about something, judging?

A judgement is usually an opinion, but an opinion isn't always a judgement.

Hows that?

It's okay to judge anyone, it's just not okay to carry out a sentence unless they've done something specific that deserves one.

The way language changes and expands is through judgment: shoving things in classifications and pigeonholes that never quite fit. Since language is the basis of thought, that make it okay to stick fellow human beings into your private cubbyholes of identification as well. Later on, when you've gained more outer and inner awareness, you'll discover that most people didn't quite fit into the place you've mentally put them and you'll redefine your judgments. Most of our initial judgments about people are incomplete, but if you DON'T judge people at all (or convince yourself you aren't judging others), then you won't have any mistakes to learn from. Better to set yourself up for a path of mistakes and be prepared to grow from them than not make any mistakes at all and be willfully ignorant.

Since our judgments of others are incomplete, it's better to reserve sentencing (like, say, an ass-whoopin') for when others go out of their way to adversely affect you or stand in the way of something you desire or is owed to you.

I'd say it entirely depends on the context. Say for instance, I wanted to express my opinion about gay marriage (a currently heated debate in society) and I was a devout Christian, my response would be:

"Gay marriage is unethical, and should not be allowed because it's against god's belief"

That's a legitimate belief and coheriently stating what you preceive to be a valid point.. but not..

"Gay marriage is anti-Christian and these freaks should be rounded up, castrated and cast out of society".

I don't know if that clarifies my stance or not, but one is stating a point.. the other only serves as to insight an emotional response either negatively or positively.

Hmmm. Sounds like a question for Jake. However, I shall attempt.

In a sense, it is impossible *not* to judge. The human mind encounters something and it makes assumptions, judgments and forms opinions. I don't know if that can be avoided at all. As such, it is neither OK or not OK to judge them. It just is.

The question is, what do you do with those assumptions and judgments?

Always
As Chance points out, it's practically the basis of thought, or intelligent thought anyway.

If your talking about the recent thing where some valley girl or school teacher says something to the effect of:

"He/she's judging mee!" (with associated whiny voice and stamping of foot)

that's just PC nonsense. The idea that someone "doesn't have the right to judge you" is utter idiocy. Is that a judgmental enough reply?

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