"Who Am I to Judge?" Pope Francis
Here is a question for our times. Who am I to judge another for his or her beliefs?
I have become increasingly aware of the role of judgment in our lives, in my life. There are so many aspects of life in which we are drawn to label a choice or a belief as good or bad, acceptable or unacceptable. As I sit here a list easily forms in my mind: gay or straight, pro-life or pro-choice, Republican or Democrat, capitalism or socialism, marriage or partners, entitlement programs or you’re on your own, and many lifestyle choices – religion, medical intervention, dying, music, dress, television, media. The list could go on.
Exactly what is accomplished in our judging? In judging, we can keep at bay others with whom we disagree. Yet hiding behind our judgments comes at a cost for we are contributing to an increasingly polarized society and world. Is this really how we want to live? Of what are we so afraid that we cannot come together to find our common ground?
I am not immune to this. Sometimes I find myself censoring what I share with another. Why? At times I fear the judgment of another. When I act in this manner, I give my power away and cease to stand in my own truth. It is an easy way out and I am committed to changing that. At other times I avoid speaking up because I choose not to spend my time in conflict rather than in conversation. Have you noticed how judgment is a sure conversation stopper except for those who like to argue?
I wonder whether there is a way to dialog without hiding behind the certainty of our opinions. For example, would it be helpful to be curious about what experiences have led another to the belief that he or she espouses? Would it be helpful to know and share how I arrived at my own beliefs? Now that might require some deep reflection for each of us. It could also remove the ugliness of trying to convince the other of the “rightness” of my or their belief which gets us nowhere. Can I respect the diversity of experiences while honoring the variety of resulting beliefs free of judging, labeling or dismissing? Can I do this? Can you do this? What must I or you let go of in order to go on this journey? What must I or you embrace? This year I am going to work on curiosity without judgment. Would you join me in this commitment?
I am reminded of a quote from the natural world: “Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together.” Vesta M. Kelly
Change happens from the grassroots. We can do this!
Here is a question for our times. Who am I to judge another for his or her beliefs?
I have become increasingly aware of the role of judgment in our lives, in my life. There are so many aspects of life in which we are drawn to label a choice or a belief as good or bad, acceptable or unacceptable. As I sit here a list easily forms in my mind: gay or straight, pro-life or pro-choice, Republican or Democrat, capitalism or socialism, marriage or partners, entitlement programs or you’re on your own, and many lifestyle choices – religion, medical intervention, dying, music, dress, television, media. The list could go on.
Exactly what is accomplished in our judging? In judging, we can keep at bay others with whom we disagree. Yet hiding behind our judgments comes at a cost for we are contributing to an increasingly polarized society and world. Is this really how we want to live? Of what are we so afraid that we cannot come together to find our common ground?
I am not immune to this. Sometimes I find myself censoring what I share with another. Why? At times I fear the judgment of another. When I act in this manner, I give my power away and cease to stand in my own truth. It is an easy way out and I am committed to changing that. At other times I avoid speaking up because I choose not to spend my time in conflict rather than in conversation. Have you noticed how judgment is a sure conversation stopper except for those who like to argue?
I wonder whether there is a way to dialog without hiding behind the certainty of our opinions. For example, would it be helpful to be curious about what experiences have led another to the belief that he or she espouses? Would it be helpful to know and share how I arrived at my own beliefs? Now that might require some deep reflection for each of us. It could also remove the ugliness of trying to convince the other of the “rightness” of my or their belief which gets us nowhere. Can I respect the diversity of experiences while honoring the variety of resulting beliefs free of judging, labeling or dismissing? Can I do this? Can you do this? What must I or you let go of in order to go on this journey? What must I or you embrace? This year I am going to work on curiosity without judgment. Would you join me in this commitment?
I am reminded of a quote from the natural world: “Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together.” Vesta M. Kelly
Change happens from the grassroots. We can do this!