“Judge not, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” -Luke 6:37 “Slut-shaming” and “body-shaming” are two phrases that seem to have gained a great deal of popularity in 2017. These socially conscious expressions, and others forms of propaganda, are being deployed as part of a growing campaign to combat bullying on social media as well as the influence of high-profile individuals who freely use degrading and abusive language. The use of such idioms is a means of redirecting social pressure back onto those who use it to verbally, emotional, and psychologically hurt others. This anti-bullying campaign has embraced a non-judgemental message. It is a message that been preached for centuries. It is also one that can easily be misunderstood and, thus, undermined. Jesus Christ, whose teachings are supposed to be the centerpiece of the Christmas Holiday, often warned his disciples about judging others as they would also face similar judgement. On the other hand, Santa Claus, who is the central figure of modern Christmas traditions, allegedly awards children presents based on how naughty or nice they have been throughout the year. In other words, Santa judges children based on their behavior. Those combating “slut-shaming,” are, however, explicitly pressuring others to avoid judging people based on their choices and sexual behavior. Because adults should be held to a higher standard than children, it seems Santa’s old fashioned ideals run afoul of this fashionable trend.
Given Jesus predated Saint Nicholas, who is the basis for Santa Claus and was a Christian Bishop, the Christ doctrine supersedes the Santa doctrine, thus what Santa has to say must be interpreted based on what Jesus said. When Jesus said, “Judge not,” it was part of a broader ideological shift. It is, of course, important to recognize Jesus was talking to his followers, who lived under strict religious edicts and authoritarian rule during a much harsher time period. Jesus was trying to discourage religious zealots from carrying out harsh punishments against those who committed minor infractions and/or committed past sins. He also wanted his disciplines to recognize the fact that their incomplete understanding of the world limited their ability to render a proper judgment and appropriate punishment. Jesus was not suggesting his follower should simply ignore, accept, and, therefore, encourage people to act as they please. He wanted them to practice forgiveness before judgment. If someone engages in “bad,” i.e. morally and socially unaccepted behavior, that individual should not be rewarded nor should the undesirable behavior be accepted or overlooked. The behavior of people will always be judged, but people are not to be judged solely on their bad behavior. Theft is unacceptable. A thief is not, however, just a thief. Jesus wanted his followers to leave God to pass judgement on the totality of an individual’s character instead of forsaking that person for a a selection of actions. Santa Claus may reward good behavior, thereby punishing bad behavior, yet he also continually offers children opportunities to redeem themselves, thus Santa practices the doctrine of Christ. Like the modern traditions of Christmas, judgement is not simply a Christian concern. Due largely to the Civil Rights Movement, modern society now frowns on discrimination, or judgement, due to race, gender, physical appearance, mental health status, and other innate characteristics. Modern people also try to tolerate and accept the ideological differences of others, e.g. religion. Judgement based on sexual behavior and other choices, therefore, creates a bit of a conundrum. Because all people have their own views and preferences, they will judge the behavior of others to some degree relative to what they believe and prefer. Although it is fashionable to avoid judgement and practice forgiveness, an individual’s opinions about others will always be based on a person’s behavior. Not only is it hypocritical to judge people for judging people, it is naive and impractical to think people will always turn a blind eye to the behavior of others. People will tend to treat others based on how they judge them. Quite frankly, they should judge people based on their behavior, because there is no better measure while harmful behavior must be socially discouraged. At the same time, no person should be judged solely on a handful of decisions or actions. Morally, ethically, and socially unacceptable behavior should be discouraged with disapproval and other punishments, if appropriate, but a person should not be judge as a whole.
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April 2020
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