posted on February 18, 2003 07:28:43 AM new
I found this on the web. Since I can be as guilty of this as anyone. I thought it would be a good read for all of us. It's by a Pamala Joy.
Amen,
Reverend Colin
Narrow-minded People
I really didn't think I'd have another diddly quite so soon!
I really get angry when I have to deal with narrow-minded people, you know, people who think that there way is the only way. I have firm beliefs and I'm not easily swayed to believe differently, but I certainly have room in my heart to listen to other people's points of view.
A part of being narrow-minded is being judgemental. I don't think anyone of us has the wisdom... or even the right... to judge another person's motives. We may view their actions, which may very well be evil or wrong, but there's not one of us who can look into that person's heart and see their motives and intentions.
I have this to say to you, narrow-minded person: I am so angry at you. How dare you hurt someone who is kind and gentle, someone who may make a mistake, but promptly admits it. Why can't you give that person the benefit of the doubt? If you don't extend mercy, how can you possibly expect to have mercy extended to you?
I'm not condoning wrongdoing. I'm condemning the self-righteous attitude that says, "I'm in the right, and you're in the wrong." Before you are so hasty to judge, try walking a mile in that person's life. You have not one idea what it's like to be that person.
How do I dare be so judgemental and self-righteous about condemning narrow-minded attitudes? Because I used to be one of them. I surely hope I've learned my lesson.
