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Believe it or not, this is not a sermon. It is just a thought. I heard that phrase, ‘Do Not Judge Me', five times this weekend. I was just wondering is that the new catch phrase? I was doing my normal routine when I heard the phrase. I heard it three times when I was doing my running around shopping. I heard a person on a reality show say it. Then I heard it again watching a Sunday Primetime program. None of these programs had any religious affiliations. These were just everyday conversations.
We are a judgmental society. We judge people every day. However unintentional, we do judge. We take one look and form an opinion. Not all opinions are spoken, but they are thought. I know you have heard this before, ‘I knew he was trouble when I saw him.' It is almost like we can read that person's mind. We sometime label people for the past actions. The person did something 20 years ago, and we still hold it against them.
Or are we a people who truly do not judge? Are we as accepting of other people's difference as we say we are? I want to believe we are. I try to be open-minded like most people. However, I do admit to being cautious. I do not just accept something or someone on face value. I take my time to learn and observe the person or situation. Is that judging or being smart? Today we have to be cautious for our own safety. That is the fine line, we do not want to offend and appear standoffish, yet we cannot be too friendly. I live in the South with the good old ‘Southern Hospitality.' I love it here, and we are known for our welcoming environment. People tend to think we are easily deceived. Please do not be deceived by the myth. We tend to protect our own, sometimes too much. We are a very discerning people.
We say we believe in second chances. This is the goal we try to achieve as a country. We have not done that yet, but there is always hope. I want to believe, we as a people, are not very judgmental. However, I still hear regularly, ‘Do Not Judge Me.' Maybe, this phrase will bring awareness to our actions. We should make the phrase work for us. We should make it a society or environment, where we do not have to say it. This will make our environment more accepting, and leaving the judging for our governing bodies.
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