In my early life, we had a small country church that couldn't afford a really well schooled preacher. So, we usually whoever was available that we could afford, and who seemed to be the best we had to choose from. Some of those were not very well schooled in scripture interpretation nor in Baptist theology. Even as a very young teen, I recognized incongruencies in some of their proposed ideas. When even a young teen remembers other verses that diametrically oppose what came from the pulpit, one can only shrug these things off in good "Christian charity," and continue the search for real Truth as best as one could. One thing that constantly perturbed me was the way that some were so "down" on CAtholics. You see, I knew some Catholics, and they were some of the finest folks I've ever known. So it came to pass, that I've come to think that it really doesn't matter what sect one belongs to, so much as it does whether or not one is truly seeking the real Truth found in the Good Book. And knowing I was a seeker, vs. a "finder," I cheerfully granted those of other sects the benefit of a doubt, and mainly began doing my assessments on the basis of whether their actions and espoused beliefs matched up, or whether there was a disparity between them. Even among those who showed a disparity, I knew it was NOT up to me to judge them, but that duty fell to the Lord, and to Him exclusively. I just tried to learn what I could from wherever I could find something of value to "chew on." That has served me very well, I think. All I wanted was the Truth, and the Truth alone, and I didn't really care where or from whom I found it. Thus began my own personal journey in trying to understand God and all that He has created. I still don't understand it all, and it's taken me many years to accrue such understanding as I've been able to glean from it all, but ... I'm pretty well satisfied that it's enough for me to be in unending awe at just what God is, who He is, and how much He truly loves us, and takes care of us when we're not even willing to take care of ourselves. As I've read and thought about the scriptures, I've been markedly surprised and humbled by how one verse can have multiple meanings, depending on the situation it's considered it applies to. I've come to accept that I'll never understand or even perceive it ALL, but I've become increasingly thankful for what God has shown to me, when I've been willing and able to comprehend what He was so diligently trying to teach us. Sure keeps a fella' humble!
These are some of the reasons I've come to where I cringe whenever I hear judgmentalism among professing Christians. It's SO dysfunctional! And, it's directly contrary to what the Lord so lovingly and consistently tried to teach us, too. But, it seems that it's part and parcel to our basic natures - our inborn instinct and tendencies - to put others down so that we can subsequently claim perhaps more righteousness than we righteously merit.
It's taken me a long time to come to where I have little tendency to judge others, and I'm far from perfect even at that! But I'm a LOT better than I used to be in this. If God figures it's HIS job to do the judging, and has TOLD us so ..... well, being a humble country boy, I figure that letting Him do it is part and parcel of my Faith in Him, and I try diligently NOT to do any judging. Don't get me wrong here! I could defend myself and take another human life if it were or appeared to be necessary. But as to the state of that individual's soul, I leave THAT to God.
One of the many things that I've come to respect about the Catholic church, or at least among the Catholics that have taken the trouble and time to know real Church stances on such matters, that is very much their stance on judging others. Fr. Spitzer on "Father Spitzer's Universe" is a VERY knowledgeable theologian, and has written a number of books on theology, in addition to running their Magis Center in CA. His program on EWTN is very much worth watching for ANY Christian. Like G. K. Chesterton and C. S. Lewis, 98%+ of his writing and words apply to all of Christianity, and not just to fellow Catholics. I wish all sects of Christianity were more like that, but unfortunately, I think it's the "almighty dollar" that fuels much of the inter-disciplinary feuds and contests that have always existed between the various sects of Christianity.
I have a sort of "pet theory" that Protestantism was ordained by God Himself, so that only one man with a Bible could hold services anywhere and at any given moment, as the then "New World" was established, explored, expanded and tamed. How could it be any other way, really? He did NOT, I am convinced, create the different sects just for them to disparage the others! So again, judging other sects and souls seems clearly contrary to what the Lord so diligently and lovingly tried to teach us to do.
Sure, folks are taught in one or the other of the sects, and each one has its special emphasis. But I also don't believe that the Lord ever intended for any of us to be prideful (the sin of Satan, remember!) and abase any other Christian or sect of Christianity. If you as me, each one offers something "special" and CAN, if we simply let it, heighten our understanding and appreciation of the Lord and all that he tried to teach us.
Yes, each of us should believe in our church and fellow church members, but NOT decry or debase other sects of Christianity or other persons of other sects. Let them worship in the manner they will, and let GOD do the judging. It's our duty to at least try to get along, NOT to divide ourselves into the many sects that now compose the Christian Faith.
We're all familiar with the old truism, "Divide and conquer," haven't we? Well, when we're facing a huge undertaking, it's the height of wisdom to divide it up into smaller, more numerous goals, and work at them one by one until the end result is reached. However, it's also one of Satan's tools, I am convinced, to separate and thus weaken Christianity by spreading out its effect and spurring inter-faith squabbles that should NEVER have existed nor been allowed to fester, as they so often do.
Christ forgave us of all we've ever done or ever COULD do, at the cost of his own blood and untold pain. Can we not simply forgive those who believe a bit differently than we do, and leave it to God to judge them? This truly seems like so very little to ask of each other, and yet, it COULD be so very strengthening of our collective Christian Faith, if we'd but carry out this simple principle that Christ has so lovinglly and consistently TRIED to teach us to. We'd have more clout in the world, politically and probably socially as well. After all, when unbelievers see us arguing tooth and nail among ourselves, it SURELY doesn't help bring them to the Light, does it? How could it???
In the end, judgmentalism is really, at its essential core, just a way of our expressing our own pridefulness, and pretending to know more than any of us really CAN know, definitively. It just seems to be somewhere in our DNA to be judgmental, but it CAN be overcome if we simply THINK before we condemn or disparage. That's the part that's up to each of us, individually, and as an ongoing proposition. Just another temptation provided by the "Father of All Lies." And we cannot defend THAT!
That's my thoughts, anyway. Care to comment with yours? I'd be very interested in hearing your thoughts.