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OPT. MEMORIAL OF
\n THE FIRST MARTYRS OF THE HOLY ROMAN CHURCH<\/p>\n
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“WHO<\/b> are you to judge?”<\/p>\n
Sounds virtuous, doesn\u2019t it? But when these words are used to deflect from taking a moral stand, to wash one\u2019s hands of responsibility for others, to remain uncommitted in the face of injustice\u2026 then it is cowardice. Moral relativism is cowardice. And today, we are awash in cowards\u2014and the consequences are no small thing. Pope Benedict calls it…<\/p>\n
\n\u2026the most terrifying sign of the times\u2026 there is no such thing as evil in itself or good in itself. There is only a \u201cbetter than\u201d and a \u201cworse than\u201d. Nothing is good or bad in itself. Everything depends on the circumstances and on the end in view. <\/b>\u2014<\/em>POPE BENEDICT XVI, Address to the Roman Curia, December 20th, 2010<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
It is terrifying because, in such a climate, it is the stronger part of society who then become the ones to determine what is good, what is wrong, who is valuable, and who is not\u2014based on their own shifting criterion. They no longer adhere to moral absolutes or the natural law. Rather, they determine what is \u201cgood” according to arbitrary standards and assign it as a \u201cright,\u201d and then impose it on the weaker part. And thus begins…<\/p>\n
\n\u2026a dictatorship of relativism that recognizes nothing as definite, and which leaves as the ultimate measure only one\u2019s ego and desires. Having a clear faith, according to the credo of the Church, is often labeled as fundamentalism. Yet, relativism, that is, letting oneself be tossed and \u2018swept along by every wind of teaching\u2019, appears the sole attitude acceptable to today\u2019s standards.<\/b> \u2014Cardinal Ratzinger (POPE BENEDICT XVI) pre-conclave Homily, April 18th, 2005<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
As such, while rejecting religious and parental authority under the claim that we should not \u201cjudge\u201d anyone and be \u201ctolerant” of all, they go on to create their own moral system that is hardly just or tolerant. And thus…<\/p>\n
\n\u2026an abstract, negative religion is being made into a tyrannical standard that everyone must follow\u2026 In the name of tolerance, tolerance is being abolished. <\/b><\/b>\u2014POPE BENEDICT XVI, Light of the World, A Conversation with Peter Seewald<\/i>, p. 52-53<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
As I wrote in Courage\u2026 to the End<\/a>, <\/i>in the face of this new tyranny, we can be tempted to withdraw and hide\u2026 to become lukewarm and cowardly. So, we must provide an answer to this question \u201cWho are you to judge?\u201d<\/p>\n
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JESUS ON JUDGING<\/p>\n
When Jesus says, “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned,\u201d<\/i> what does He mean?[1]<\/sup><\/a>Luke 6:37<\/span><\/span>