Wednesday, December 16, 2009

The rush to judgement

Commentary or judgementary?
What should be the focus of columnists, op-ed pieces, and letters to the editor? I recently began to notice how often the focus of these pieces appears to be to pass judgement on others. It does not matter whether the media is tabloid newspaers, blogs, or distinguished columnists in the New York Times.
It does not matter whether the topic is Tiger Woods, a 13 year old girl who wants to sail around the world, a teacher who has an affair with a student, a Prime Minister who swears at his staff, or bankers who receive large bonuses, ...
Everyone is quick to judge the morality of both public figures and private citizens, and often to condemn them.
I find this ironic because we are meant to be living in an age of relativism and tolerance. But, actually it shows that we all do have a strong sense of right and wrong and justice. We also have an innate tendency towards self-righteousness and an inflated view of the value of our own opinions. So it concerns me that our desire to provide and devour "judgementary" is not tempered by humility, grace,or consideration for the families of those concerned.
Judge not and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; ...
For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you....
You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye....
Luke 6:36,37,42

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