A Religious Perspective

Is it the place of a Christian to evaluate fellow Christians?

There are scriptures that allude to such a thing.

For there is no partiality with God. Romans 2:11.

Iron sharpens iron. So one man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17. If people are uttering nonsense, it cannot sharpen nor be sharpened.

Associate with only fools and you will become a fool. This requires that you have the ability to distinguish fools from well to dos and to separate yourself from them or avoid them. On the other hand we are told that if you only do good to those who do good to you how do you differ from the heathen? (See Luke 6:23). This requires judgement and strong character.

Do not make friends with a hot~tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared. Proverbs 22:24

Do onto others as you would have others do onto you. (Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:21) Don^t boss people around. Don^t talk down to people. Don^t belittle or snub people. Don^t play mind games with them. Do respect them. Be genuinely interested in them. Sympathize with their problems and trials. Offer assistance, instruction or suggestions.

Some say that the major religions of the world are Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Judaism. I suggest that in the western world, my society, the dominant religions are aristocracy, pomposity and shady Christianity.

Aristocracy is when a person thinks that others are there to serve him or her. They set an example that only the ruling class can emulate, it is not a universally beneficial way. It promotes class distinctions. It encourages conceit. This way has greatly diminished but still lingers on.

Pomposity is characterized by people who attend elaborate ceremonies: banquets, dances, marriages, masses, celebrations, parades, galas, special nights and parties. The more elaborate their activities the more fanatical they are.

Feudalism is characterized by people who turn every discussion into an argument or competition. Their objective is always to outdo the other in order to make themselves seem superior and make the other feel inferior.

Pugilism is when a person knocks all semblance of acceptance of what you say completely out of the question with no chance of rebuttal except in kind. This leads to adopting martial arts and accepting Islam.

Shady Christianity is misrepresenting or distorting the truth, and passing off fables, deceits and lies as truth. It is very superficial and artificial.

Christianity is characterized by people who try to help others and to uplift them. Conversations stimulate logical reasoning, they encourage participation and are instructive. It is genuine and sometimes brutally honest. It is never offensive.

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don^t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord^s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:22 to 26

By me princes rule, and nobles, all who judge rightly. Proverbs 8:16

Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment. John 7:24

2007 Jacques Gauvin

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