In My Judgment

“Hey, nice haircut. You look great,” I said.

“Don't judge me,” replied---no one ever.

Have you ever noticed that people whose use “Don't judge me” like a mantra only say it if you disagree with them? “Rap is the pinnacle of artistic achievement,” and “Rap is nothing but noise,” are both judgments. However, one is an insightful and the other judgmental. Other than a hidden racial bias, what's the difference; both are only opinions?

The rush to judgment doesn't end there. Prime time is loaded with shows that revolve around a panel of judges. American Idol, DWTS, The Voice, Chopped...the list goes on ad nauseum. Did I fail to mention the millions of judges who pay a fee to call in to support their favorites. You've got to be living way up De Nile without a paddle to think Americans are (or should be) non-judgmental.

In my experience as a parent, I snapped at the kids because I was tired, having a bad day or had a headache. But strangely, my upstanding, good looking, and talented children are a direct result of my vast store of parental patience, forbearance, and long-suffering. Yeah, right. When we're wrong it's “Don't judge me, dude.” When we're right it's, “Darn, I'm good.”

The truth is opinions, good and bad, are judgments. The only way to be non-judgmental is to be indifferent. We all need to accept the fact that we make hundreds of judgments every single day—even if it's whether to have Chinese or Italian for dinner. All you out there screaming, “Don't judge me,”join the real world.

 Here's a clue to get you started: not everybody likes you or the things you think and do. Life will be easier if you learn to live with that little nugget of reality at an early age. Let me share with you a verse of scripture my children often heard: “ Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. “