The 11th Commandment

We people in general are opinionated. Its just our way.

So its hard not to voice those opinions. And when other people give their opinions, that don't jive with our own opinions; watch out, things might get heated.  But that's just my opinion.

But how as a Christian can you ever give an opinion, if it is not one of full agreement?

Because it was famously said "thou shalt not judge." So. I attempt not to do so. Which at times can be more difficult than "thou shalt not steal" among others.

When Mel Brooks dropped those extra 5 Commandments, I think "Thou Shalt Not Judge" must have been #11.

It is often difficult to state an opinion without someone who disagrees saying "you cant judge me!"

"Well, I was just stating."

"Judgemental jerk!" (door slams)
                                                                                  end scene

The definition of judging has become having a different opinion and not keeping it a secret.

I disagree with many friends on religion and politics. I don't think they find me judgemental over that. I hope not.

I disagree with many friends over sports. I am rather sure they don't lump me as judgemental because I don't like the Lakers.

def: judge

-To form an opinion or estimation of after careful consideration: judge heights; judging character.

-To hear and decide on in a court of law; try: judge a case.

-Obsolete To pass sentence on; condemn.

The first one of those definitions doesn't sound so bad. I don't think "look for the plank in your own eye" was talking about that as much.

To condemn is when I think we have problems.

So where is the line? Are we not meant to point out to people when they are doing wrong? Hold them accountable?

Accountability partners are a good thing. What if you met with your accountability partner and it went like this:

MARK: Hi Bob!

BOB: Hi Mark! Great to see you. So how have you been doing with everything this week?

MARK: Don't you judge me!

(door slams)

                                                                                       end scene

I recently saw the report from a news station in Texas of a woman who is holding "pole dancing for Jesus" classes. The woman is a former stripper who said she decided she would teach what she liked about "dancing."

People may come to her gym, and for free, learn how to pole dance. They must simply bring a church program. When watching the report I waited patiently for the obvious statements.

Like when the police find buried hookers in someones back yard:

"He was such a nice man. Kind of quiet. Kept to himself."

Then I got my token lines.

"You are not a good Christian when you judge."

But wait a sec, you, just judged people by saying that, um...

Then the one I waited for.

"God is the only one that judges."

That's true. And He is. Don't you worry.

It seems that since we are so on edge not to judge, that we feel we have no right to point out when people do wrong.

What if this worked in all things?

Lord Barnes: "Sir, you are accused of killing 3 people. How do you plead?"

Suspect: "Lord Barnes. I plead: 'Thou shalt not judge me.'"

Lord Barnes: "Oh, quite right, cheerio, pip pip and all that. Off ya go."

Well of course that would not work. But then if it would not work in that way, should it also not be so, when it comes to questions of God?

The truth is important. If trying to get to the truth causes us to be condemned as judgemental, I think maybe its the offended side with the judging problem.

Let us not always agree to disagree. Not always.

Let us debate and refute until we reach a mutual and true understanding of the scripture.

Is that impossible? Maybe. Probable? Probably not. But getting to the truth is not the worst standard.

My opinion.

Paying Our Pennies

Ive only been watching Craig Ferguson for the past year or so.  I shied away because, #1 Im a Conan O'Brien fan and #2 I really hated The Drew Carey Show.  I had only known Ferguson from The Drew Carey show previously.

But one day I watched.  And I laughed.  But more than that I realized, this guy Ferguson is really smart.  I came to realize he has directed films, he has written an acclaimed memoir and novel and his stand up each night appears largely  improvized.  This kind of intelligence I have envied in others all my life.

Leno makes obscene money reading mediocre jokes off cue cards.  Ferguson is at his best when he is obviously just riffing.

Really intelligent people often seem a bit crazy.

Ferguson is a famous recovering addict and alcoholic.  He mentions it often.

Recently of course, Charlie Sheen has been all over the news.  And it is entertaining, to a point.  "Im not bi-polar, Im bi-winning." I mean thats a quote for the ages.  But really, I find that whole situation sad.

And I bring up Ferguson in part, because he seems to have decided the same thing.

He recently said he would not make any more Sheen jokes.  If you have not seen this clip I would ask you to watch;  it is not very long.



I dont begrudge anyone making Sheen jokes, really. I dont want to sound holier than thou. Its hard not to laugh at the absurd spectacle.

But are we not encouraging the man's own self destruction?

He just got on Twitter and broke a record for over a million followers in one day. And the reason he admitted he is on twitter? He is getting paid for his usually odd ball tweets.

Would he be making this much money if all his tweets sounded, well, normal?

But we should recognize these people need serious help.

What a tragedy the whole Anna Nicole Smith saga turned into.  You can not tell me she was not mentally ill.  There is even now an opera about her.  Many of her "people" are upset over this.  But they helped create her.  Are they not only upset because they are not seeing money from it?

Isn't it interesting, maybe some of the best help Sheen has currently gotten, is from Robert Downey Jr and Mel Gibson?

In Sheen's own words, "they just offered love to me."  It seemed to resonate with him on some level.  Maybe if he was only hearing from friends like this, and not being rewarded for his wild antics and statements, the right words would truly get through. 

It is hard not to crane your neck when you see an accident.  I simply hope we are not encouraging him to get back in the car drunk.