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Well I guess you only have my word for it, I could send you a photocopy of my birth certificate or my DD214 showing when I was in the Air Force. I'm sorry that my attempt at humor didn't go over well with you. I can't make you believe me, and won't try. With the exception of that post everything I have said is completely true and honest. Yes I WAS gay. Lived in the lifestyle actively for a few years etc. I am a born-again believer, husband and dad.
I honestly don't have a bag of tricks and really don't appreciate that comment. Sorry you feel I'm stirring the pot. For all the people who are flipped out that I start threads let me offer this. Start a thread of yoru own. And if you don't like what I'm posting, don't respond and the thread will die. You have obviously got opinions...don't wait for others to start threads. Jump in the water and do one.
Wow Hoosier Guy....thank you for your honesty....I had no idea about your personal life....Praise God for your transformation and your holy and healthy family.
I think it should be pointed out,though, that at least IMHO, "judging" in the sense that it is forbidden in the Bible is NOT just saying something is wrong, in error or sinful. Sometimes that's just proper discernment. To my way of thinking, "judging" in the negative sense is when we not only see someone in sin or committing error and we AlSO condemn the person themself and feel negatively towards them as a person over it, not just negative about their acts or beliefs. Thoughts?
All of us are judged in one way or another by those we come into contact with on a daily basis. It's just part of living and it doesn't really bother me. I think our beliefs are not judged nearly as much as our physical appearance, social status, personal wealth and all of the other things that we're identified with by others. A person who is unattractive is going to have a much tougher time with judgements about their appearance than judgements about their beliefs. Unfortunately, most of these judgements are very petty and shallow but if any of you have worked in a large office building or any work place where you encounter a variety of people and personalities you know what I'm talking about. I think that a religious belief is not judged any more harshly than a political or social belief in modern American society.
To my way of thinking, "judging" in the negative sense is when we not only see someone in sin or committing error and we AlSO condemn the person themself and feel negatively towards them as a person over it, not just negative about their acts or beliefs. Thoughts?
I read something to this effect quite often, and it makes little sense to me.
People make mistakes, and I understand that we shouldn't judge someone based on a mistake, but what is a person if not the sum of his actions and beliefs? When I form an opinion of a person, I base that opinion first on his actions, and possibly on other criteria as well. For example, a certain co-worker is extremely lazy - no two ways about it. I do not like being paired with him on any job. Another co-worker is a chronic liar. I feel negatively toward both these men.
What of thieves? Abusive parents? Drunks? Are we to feel good about them as people - except for the thieving, abuse and drunkenness?
Some people are not to my liking. They may be fine toward someone else, but I'm not someone else. Others are just no good.
In many cases, I cannot separate the person from his actions and beliefs, and I don't feel I should.
Well, Nvx, I admit you make a point. I don't feel too swift about serial murderers either!
But having said that, I know that as Christian (and I know you are not) we are commanded not to be critical and judgmental. Judge not that you be not judged and so forth. So ... where's the balance? I don't think God is calling us to overlook reality here, but also we need to avoid a condemnatory, self-righteous attitude towards others. Try to look at their foilbles and failures from the framework of mercy rather than harsh criticism. Look at them from the best possible scenario rather than the worst... And there is a place for tough love where some of these things get confronted.
Also, I don't think we have to be best friends with people whose behavior we don't approve of, but I do think, we Christians at least, are called to love them and give them room to change.
I wish more people would say, "Such is life." There would be a whole lot less strife if they would.
Do any of you watch the Tyra Banks show? She's started a campaign called "SO WHAT?", mainly in response to the whole "Tyra is fat now" tabloid storm... maybe we should all say what we're feeling "SO WHAT" about. For instance, I'm judged all the time for being slightly overweight & tattooed - and who gives a flying you-know-what? I am who I am, and the people who know & love me don't judge - and that's all that really matters.
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Judging
