There is a fine line between “judging a human” and judging their actions". A person may lie, cheat, look at things he/she would not be proud of, perhaps even be rude now and then. Most of those actions will not land one in court or in jail. If a person: hits someone with a table leg so he/she can take their money, rapes someone, steals in a a manner that causes damage — now they are sinning differently, and the consequences are different, too.
It’s not a question of sin (which is a word with almost no semantic value; as Heinlein said, “Sin lies only in hurting others unnecessarily. All other “sins” are invented nonsense”); it’s a question of crime, which is (I presume) detailed in the laws of the land.
I think the problem is not in the judging, but in the punishment. We should be “rehabilitating” — helping people find ways to live differently, rather than sticking people in a prison for years and years and years — mostly for non-violent drug offences. Of course, our whole system is going to have to change to do that. Truly good education for all, health care for all, early intervention, and love — lots of love.
Well, he’d be off the jury if I was the defendant (or the prosecutor). Someone who thinks “sin” and the laws of this country are the same is a dangerous nut job no different than a rampaging Ayatollah.
Robert Maxell Premium Member over 9 years ago
There is a fine line between “judging a human” and judging their actions". A person may lie, cheat, look at things he/she would not be proud of, perhaps even be rude now and then. Most of those actions will not land one in court or in jail. If a person: hits someone with a table leg so he/she can take their money, rapes someone, steals in a a manner that causes damage — now they are sinning differently, and the consequences are different, too.
markjoseph125 over 9 years ago
It’s not a question of sin (which is a word with almost no semantic value; as Heinlein said, “Sin lies only in hurting others unnecessarily. All other “sins” are invented nonsense”); it’s a question of crime, which is (I presume) detailed in the laws of the land.
connie over 9 years ago
I think the problem is not in the judging, but in the punishment. We should be “rehabilitating” — helping people find ways to live differently, rather than sticking people in a prison for years and years and years — mostly for non-violent drug offences. Of course, our whole system is going to have to change to do that. Truly good education for all, health care for all, early intervention, and love — lots of love.
connie over 9 years ago
Poofle. Who cares? This is dialogue. “Differently than I” would not be true to character. Most people talking would say, “Differently than me.”
Elvanion over 9 years ago
Well, he’d be off the jury if I was the defendant (or the prosecutor). Someone who thinks “sin” and the laws of this country are the same is a dangerous nut job no different than a rampaging Ayatollah.