Do not be judgemental.

I read an article in the newspaper two days ago where the reporter was writing about the actions of a group of people. I do not wish in this blog to get into that controversy because that is never my purpose here. What did catch my attention was that in the comments written by fellow readers a great many were accusing the writer of the article of being judgemental. This was because the writer had expressed an honest opinion about the beliefs and actions of a particular group.

I was talking to another retired teacher a few weeks ago and we discussed how much we had enjoyed challenging students to express opinions about matters of importance. To be prepared to make a stance for what they thought was the correct thing to do in various situations. Some of their beliefs were often a bit shocking and off the wall but at least they were engaging in the process of thinking. 

Another friend who is still teaching was telling me that this no longer happens to the same extent. The most damaging charge one student can now make against another is that they are being judgemental.

I find this upsetting that this is where society does seem to be heading in the name of being politically correct. How can there ever be an honest debate? How can there ever be an intellectual argument if as soon as somebody is accused of being judgemental all discussion stops?

It seems more and more that we are all becoming intimidated to speak our minds. The in word seems to be, "civility." I am in fear that this call for civility is being used to keep us all in our place and to say nothing. If I am correct, and here I am getting slightly controversial, I am not in favour of civility.

But I do not believe that this is what civility is all about. Civility does not need to stifle discussion and condemn us to a position of neutrality.

Being civil doesn't mean that we cannot criticise what goes on around us. Civility doesn't require us to approve of what other people believe and do. It is one thing to insist that other people have the right to express their basic convictions; it is another thing to say that they are right in doing so. 

Civility requires us to live by the first of these principles. But it does not commit us to the second formula. To say that all beliefs and values deserve to be treated as if they were on a par is to endorse relativism, a perspective that is incompatible with Christian faith and practice, and the beliefs of many wonderful philosophies such as the one I am studying at present, Taoism. 

Civility does not mean refusing to make judgments about what is good and true. For one thing, it really isn't possible to be completely nonjudgmental. Even telling someone else that he/she is being judgmental is a rather judgmental thing to do! 

There are just some things that cannot be condoned. There are some practices that cannot be ignored.  

We can do this without being racist or prejudice we can do it in kindness but thee are just some things that cannot ever be ignored.

The danger is that we can become a people who are afraid to speak when we hear things that are just downright wrong. This is a dangerous road to travel. History tells us that if we say nothing we will find ourselves fighting wars that nobody ever wishes to do. 

Please forgive my somewhat serious content this morning but I see a worrying trend in our world where caring faithful people are being condemned to silence while those with unpleasant aims are given free reign. 

Have a great day, but stand up and be counted for what you consider right.