My Verdict: Judging Is Underrated

It’s amazing to me the unfair flak judging is given.

On the one hand, ever since the unofficial, off-the-cuff comments of Pope Francis had been ripped from their original context and trumpeted over the world as Catholicism’s new mantra, those who wish to see the Catholic Church downplay its moral authority have been working hard to remind us that to point out that judging is a greater sin than the sin itself.

And yet, the same folks who claim that judging is a sin is, in fact, judging the judges. The judge-ees have become the judge-ers.

Not to mention the number of outrageous problems in the world well worthy of our attention, from the cruel religious persecution our Christian brothers and sisters are enduring in the Middle East, to child trafficking and slavery, to any number of hot-button current-event issues that trumpet our attention. In each of these, an injustice is performed, and to turn a blind eye on such with a “Who Am I to Judge” against such, seems to warrant a continuation of such evils.

I prelude all this to draw attention to an interesting article by JoAnna Wahlund: Yes, Catholics Can Judge! In it, she dismantles the argument against the regular arguments against judging, giving the Pope’s comments the necessary context, to quoting the Catechism, Scripture, and also demonstrating how Jesus’ admonition to “Judge Not” has also been woefully taken out of context.

Furthermore, she demonstrates that “rash judgment” is to be condemned, as is not showing mercy to those who demonstrate a penitent heart.

Lastly, I must remind others, that to state that every person will be redeemed in the end, and go to heaven, is also, yes, judging. Sure, it is judging in the affirmative, but it is judging nonetheless. Those who insist to not judge must seriously consider the repercussions of their mantra.