Feedback.Q: The dangers of overemphasizing God as love are ... We forget his gift of love requires a response from us. Barbara Wyse Buffalo, N.Y. Thinking of God as a kind of Santa Claus Santa Claus: see Nicholas, Saint. Santa Claus jolly, gift-giving figure who visits children on Christmas Eve. [Christian Tradition: NCE, 1937] See : Christmas Santa Claus without the "you better watch out" part. Father John Ludwig West Des Moines, Iowa West Des Moines is a city in Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 46,403; a special census taken in the spring of 2005 counted 51,744 residents. Chaos. If God has no standards for us to follow, then we can find a way to justify any choice or action. Kathleen Gallaway West Chester, Ohio West Chester, Ohio, can refer to:
Overlooking the sufferings of others and the problem of evil. George Sherakin, S.J. Barrington, Ill. Believing Confession is unnecessary. Lesley and Mark Ruzon Mountain View, Calif. Not taking a moral stand on controversial issues. Name withheld Hilton Head, S.C. Nonexistent non·ex·is·tence n. 1. The condition of not existing. 2. Something that does not exist. non . We live in a world that judges constantly, and people need to feel and know that God will always love them. Becky Fleck Farmington, Conn. Q: The dangers of overemphasizing God as judge are ... So much fear as to generate hopelessness. It is very difficult to find any comfort in being considered a worm before God. Sheridan Coles Phoenix, Ariz. Missing the whole message of Jesus. Ruth Bene Joliet, Ill. We get too scrupulous scru·pu·lous adj. 1. Conscientious and exact; painstaking. See Synonyms at meticulous. 2. Having scruples; principled. about our actions. Name withheld Wilmington, Mass. All of us fall down continually. Unless we see God as loving and merciful mer·ci·ful adj. Full of mercy; compassionate: sought merciful treatment for the captives. See Synonyms at humane. mer as well as judgmental judg·men·tal adj. 1. Of, relating to, or dependent on judgment: a judgmental error. 2. Inclined to make judgments, especially moral or personal ones: , we will despair. Patrick B. O'Brien Lake Ridge, Va. We never get to an adult understanding of who God is. Jack Rixon St. Albans, Vt. Catholic guilt--the tradition that many of us have grown up with--becomes a reality. If we do something wrong we are going to make God unhappy, and he in turn will punish us. Jackie Hooke Antioch, Calif. We can become intolerant of the differences of others. Cindy M. Casebeer Northport, Ala. We quickly become God's self-appointed judges, without God's guidance and mercy. Sarah Stockton Daly City Daly City, city (1990 pop. 92,311), San Mateo co., W Calif., a suburb of San Francisco; inc. 1911. Daly City is primarily residential, its population having grown significantly since the 1970s. , Calif. We'd be back where we were in the '40s, where as a child I never knew Jesus loved me. But I know it now! Kathy Doucette Amesbury, Mass. Q: The worst example I've seen of refusing to judge someone was ... Parents who will not discipline or hold their children accountable for their actions. Cheryl Meis Mableton, Ga. Priests protecting other priests in the child abuse situation. John E. Wolfe Abingdon, Md. Where relationships have been totally severed because the person judging is so harsh and unbending. Name withheld Hamilton Square Hamilton Square in Birkenhead, Wirral, England is a town square first started in 1826 and designed by James Gillespie Graham. The land on which the square was developed was purchased in 1824 by Scottish shipbuilder William Laird (1780-1841). , N.J. Those who defend the president (past and current) no matter what he has done or failed to do--as lung as his main agenda matches their own. Raymond D'Angelo Columbus, Ohio Columbus is the capital and the largest city of the American state of Ohio. Named for explorer Christopher Columbus, the city was founded in 1812 at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers, and assumed the functions of state capital in 1816. Excusing the 9/11 terrorists because, after all, the poor dears were victimized by the wicked USA. Richard Mihan Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , Calif. People who still deny the Holocaust. Maureen Theiler Polson, Mont. A juror's comment that she would let an obviously guilty criminal go, not because she believed him innocent but because "It is God's job to judge, and the man will have to go up to God when he dies." Jane Mellem Littleton, Colo. When I am indifferent to political activity that could be violent, corrupt, or otherwise against human rights. Brother Bonaventure Scully, C.F.X. Takoma Park Takoma Park (təkō`mə), city (1990 pop. 16,700), Montgomery and Prince Georges counties, W central Md., a residential suburb of Washington, D.C.; inc. 1890. It is the international headquarters for the Seventh-day Adventists. , Md. Lenient sentences for rapists, drug dealers, killers. Jane Bradford LaJolla, Calif. How so many parents and Catholic educators do not challenge young people to participate in Mass, fearing such insistence may turn them away from Mass. Father Gregory Chamberlin, O.S.B. Evansville, Ind. Society's current culture of death: abortion, euthanasia, abuse, etc. Patricia Swails Oakland City, Ind. I don't see this. I see society as all too anxious to judge each other. Jo Cunningham Lower Lake, Calif. When the very institutional church that has a century-long history of profound social teaching refuses to hold itself accountable to its own teaching, I am very sad. Name withheld Chicago, Ill. General Comments Many of the people whom I have met who were raised in the church and have left have done so because of the "judgment" that they have received. I have never heard of anyone who has left the church because God loves them or God understands why you have done what you have. Bryan Reaka Bowling Green Bowling Green. 1 City (1990 pop. 40,641), seat of Warren co., S Ky., on the Barren River; inc. 1812. It is a shipping and marketing center for an area producing tobacco, corn, livestock, and dairy items. , Ky. Today's name for being nonjudgmental non·judg·men·tal adj. Refraining from judgment, especially one based on personal ethical standards. Adj. 1. nonjudgmental is "political correctness politically correct adj. Abbr. PC 1. Of, relating to, or supporting broad social, political, and educational change, especially to redress historical injustices in matters such as race, class, gender, and sexual orientation. ." I'm getting very tired of this ducking of responsibility. Claire O'Hanlon Front Royal, Va. One problem is that the people that society sees as being judgmental are Christians who say, "God is on my side, therefore you must be on the side of the devil and are going to hell." This is not helpful for changing behavior or teaching people critical thinking skills. Kim Eidson Escondido, Calif. Jesus separated the sin from the sinner sin·ner n. 1. One that sins or does wrong; a transgressor. 2. A scamp. Noun 1. sinner - a person who sins (without repenting) evildoer . The woman caught in adultery did not seek forgiveness with "purpose about repentance and making amends" when he told her to sin no more. He was judging the sin, not her. Bruce Giermann Philadelphia, Penn. I believe we are achieving a better balance of a judging God and a God of love. When I was a child, we were taught to fear God. It has taken me many years to realize he loves me. Name withheld Elkhart Lake, Wis. Most of my life I've been afraid to make judgments lest I be labeled judgmental. Debra Silverthorn St. Joseph, Mich. On an Internet poetry site, readers are to comment (constructively) on posted poems. The "critics" are so afraid of hurting the poets' feelings that most often nothing but saccharine sac·cha·rine adj. Of, relating to, or characteristic of sugar or saccharin; sweet. responses result. It takes real effort to combine loving understanding with truthful appraisal. Catherine LeGault Shady Cove, Ore. I think we all need a small dose of "judgmental therapy." In my parish sin is barely if ever mentioned! Sheila J. Cook Media, Penn. Society's acceptance of "anything goes" makes it nearly impossible to teach kids moral right from wrong. Name withheld Iowa, La. Years ago in a social action training session, I was taught to save judgment for really important issues. Don't dwell on personal injustices but focus on social justice issues where you are judging on behalf of the poor, workers, exploited nations, and their people worldwide. It's worked for me well for over 50 years. Alvin E. White Glenbeulah, Wis. Join the conversation--online. In addition to a sample of subscribers, all are invited to respond to U.S. CATHOLIC'S monthly Sounding Board survey at www.uscatholic.org. This month, join U.S. CATHOLIC readers as they debate whether retirees should move south or stay put. |
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