Opinion Letters
Email
Print
Judging Others
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: August 18, 2008
Updated: 08/17/2008 09:30 pm
The letter "Recent Letters" (Aug. 12) stated that "none of us has been given the power to stand in judgment of each other …"
If the writer means that we don't have the right to judge the motives of others, he is correct. However, the Bible (particularly, Matthew 7:1 and Luke 6:37) is often misinterpreted about whether or not it is appropriate to judge the actions of others.
The Wycliffe Bible Commentary states, "Critics of others must stop short of final condemnation, for men cannot judge motives, as God can. … Believers are not to avoid all judging … for Christians need to judge themselves and offending members (1 Cor. 5:3-5, 12, 13)."
John W. Haley says that what is forbidden is "harsh, censorious [i.e., critical] judgment," but not "judicial decisions, nor the expression of our opinions in a proper manner."
This position seems to be supported by John 7:24, in which Jesus says, "judge with righteous judgment."
Furthermore, Jesus indicates in Matthew 7:15-18 that just as each type of tree is known by the kind of fruit it bears, so the nature of a person is known by our assessment of what he says and does.
HARVEY E. ARMOUR
Winston-Salem
Schlitz Revived
I read the story about Schlitz beer being brewed again in Milwaukee ("Taste Revived," Aug. 2), one of the greatest stories I have read.
Here's my story: I worked at the Schlitz brewery in Winston-Salem for 30 years. I helped start the plant, and when they shut the plant down, I retired. In the Schlitz days, we could run four or five lines of just the Schlitz brand 24/7 and still couldn't keep up with the demand.
Schlitz was the best beer on the market; it won awards and taste tests every year.
I wish Pabst Brewing Co. the very best luck with its Milwaukee brewery. I hope they don't let us down.
We want and need the Schlitz beer back on the shelves in Winston-Salem. We would all like to see the Schlitz comeback!
LAWRENCE HOBSON
Winston-Salem
Public Practice
An Aug. 6 letter to the editor, "Opponents," implies that the ACLU is an opponent of traditional religion. As a proud member of the ACLU, I beg to differ. The ACLU has a long history of defending individuals and religious communities who wish to practice their religion in public. Here are but a few recent examples:
In the 2008 case Netherland v. City of Zachary et al, the ACLU of Louisiana filed a brief before the 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals supporting an individual's right to quote Bible verses on public streets in Zachary, La.
In another 2008 case, the ACLU of Southern California filed suit on behalf of members of a faith-based charity organization after park rangers threatened to arrest the members for serving hot meals and distributing Bibles to the homeless on Doheny State Beach.
In a 2007 case, the ACLU of New Jersey defended the right of an elementary-school student who was prohibited from singing "Awesome God" in a voluntary, after-school talent show.
Practicing religion in the public square is fully supported by the ACLU. However, when government promotes religious favoritism (Forsyth County commissioners, are you listening?), the ACLU will not be sympathetic.
RUDY DIAMOND
Lewisville
Invasion
I am not in favor of Russia's actions in Georgia, and I do hope the situation can be resolved without further fighting.
However, I am curious as to just where President George W. Bush obtains the moral authority to condemn one nation for invading another. I'd think he should be staring quietly at his shoes about now.
GREG DAILEY
Winston-Salem
When You Write
Our address is: Letters to the Journal, P.O. Box 3159, Winston-Salem, NC 27102. Our e-mail address is: Letters@wsjournal.com. Please write "Letters to the Editor" in the subject line and include your full name, including middle initial, and full address. A daytime telephone number is required.
All letters are subject to editing and should be limited to 200 words. Letters may be published on the journalnow Web site. Writers are limited to one letter every 30 days.
Please send letters celebrating specific days or weeks as far in advance as possible. Original poetry, open letters, letters sent to more than one address and letters from active candidates for political office will not be published. Because of the volume of mail received, the Journal is not able to respond to every writer.
Email
Print
ADVERTISEMENT
N.C. Politics
Federal Politics
See community events or add your own! Click here!
Advertisement
