JudgMental or JustMental
by Shawn Hyland | December 5, 2011
Recently, as I was briefly reading an excerpt from the book UnChristian, I came across the chapter that with great detail explained why unchurched people believe Christians are "judgmental". The first three words to come to mind by 20-something's to explain Christians were: anti-homosexual, judgmental, and hypocrites.
Are Christians JudgMental or is this feeling by non-Christians JustMental?
Judgmental - One of the main complaints about Christians being judgmental was their practice of labeling people (unbelievers, non believers, etc...).
The counterfactual argument has to be asked: if Christians are "judgmental" because they label people, then what do you call the 20-something making this accusation who just "labeled" Christians as judgmental - equal to Christians labeling people by categories. They put all Christians into one category without getting to know individuals and personalities. The same practice they accuse and condemn Christians for practicing.
JustMental - Their feelings of being judged are real. Their perception of the facts is their reality (Proverbs 23:7). Their mind struggling with endless truth leads to conviction, which when not understood could feel like condemnation or judgment. Even Christians encounter this condemned feeling, though they should not (Rom 8:1). The difference is those who acknowledge their sin with Honesty and Humility take action through Faith and Surrender. They turn to Jesus Christ and start ther journey in following him. Others who experience this conviction, do not want to acknowledge their sin but rather justify it to ease their conscience.
Since this attempt of Self - Justification does not work, they blame the failure to "shake this feeling" as others being Judgmental towards them, when the real battle is JustMental. I do not know Christians who judge people because of their sin and/or because the person possibly being judgmental is that way because they are a Christian. Some individuals whether Christian or not, can look at the speck in other's eyes without seeing the plank in their own (Math 5 - spoken to a non Christian crowd). That is their personality and their own character flaw not a product of their faith.
1. The majority of churches have recovery programs as they welcome people who are fighting through addictions.
2. Churches advertise because new people are welcomed
3. They have altar calls for people to accept Christ as Savior because they are hoping these people are in the crowd, or specific rooms available for people who have questions about following Christ.
4 .These churches/Christians are not judging and rejecting people but on the contrary they are welcoming them, spending money to reach them and time and energy to help them.