Hypocrisy

"One should examine oneself for a very long time before thinking of condemning others."

-- Moliere (1622-1673), Poet, playwright, actor

I have been accused of many things in my life, a hypocrite not being the least, nor the worst.  This is something I can admit without hesitation.  I have to because I put it out there; I wear it in plain view.  It isn't that I'm proud of it, but to deny it would evidence the very truth of it, if only to me.  To be angry about this truth is counterproductive.  I am a sinner.  I have never denied the fact, unlike some people that appear in my many posts.  We tend to pass judgment on others for that which we, ourselves, are just as guilty if not more so.  Where is our honest judgment for our own less than laudable actions or thoughts?  Our judgments of others often reflect our own faults which are, all too often, many.   

Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (aka, Moliere) once wrote, "One should examine oneself for a very long time before thinking of condemning others."  An alcoholic can condemn another alcoholic because he's stumbled along the same mile, crawled through the same gutters, and fought off the same chorus line of colorful elephants in tutus.  If you haven't been there, or aren't currently there, you have no frame of reference to pass a judgment of condemnation.  But, if you're going to pass judgment, just be sure you admit to your own weaknesses first; people in glass houses and all that.  One must also remember that just because you've been through it doesn't mean others are as strong.  Any judgment must be tempered by much understanding, sympathy, and humility.

"The most melancholy thing about human nature, is, that a man may guide others into the path of salvation, without walking in it himself; that he may be a pilot, and yet a castaway."

-- Augustus & Julius Hare, "Tuth by Two Brothers," (1827)

It is man's nature to condemn that which he himself would do or has done.  "The lady doth protest too much, methinks."  Sometimes, perhaps, those that cry foul the loudest, are the guiltiest of the foul.  I like to laugh at my own weaknesses.  I find anecdotal lessons to mean more when I talk to others.  It admits I've been there, done that, and have a common frame of reference, of understanding, with which to build a foundation of trust.  We travel our path and hope for some sense of righteousness.  The closest any of us may get is to try to help others not to make our mistakes.  When even the Pope admits to being a sinner, it is hard to imagine any truly righteous person without assuming a hypocrite.

"Forbear to judge, for we are sinners all."

-- William Shakespeare (1564-1616), playwright, "Henry VI"

I have been labeled a hypocrite?  Aye!  That be the truth of it, then.  But, as much as I admit to the truth of it is as much as another would be bothered there was no denial.  As Socrates has written, "The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be."  I have been "pretending to be" for most of my life.  I can state, with no hesitation, that honor is an elusive bedfellow.  The first thing we need do is forgive ourselves for things we did or were ordered to do.  The second is to forgive everyone else.  Honor can be found in many places, not the least of which is in the heart.  

A hypocrite?  I'll take that sin, and die for your right to call me such.  What will you die for?  My hypocrisy is nothing compared to some folks in this world that condemn others to hell simply for differences in faith, sexuality, or whom they love.  How dare they presume to judge?  We all have to answer, ultimately, for what we do in this life and the next.  I continue to walk a path.  At times I stumble, at times I fall, but I get back up and continue to walk the path as best I can.  More than this, I try to assist others along their own path.  Am I wrong at times?  Of course, I am.  But what is more important than trying to help others sidestep some crap of life which I already tripped into? 

"Be what you would seem to be - or, if you'd like it put more simply - never imagine yourself not to be otherwise than what it might appear to others that what you were or might have been was not otherwise than what you had been would have appeared to them to be otherwise."

-- Lewis Carroll (1832-1898), author, "Alice in Wonderland"

This is just my opinion and, as always, I could be wrong.  Considering I have written this post with my own shortcomings in mind, I sincerely doubt if I'm wrong.  For those who would dare label me, I cannot say if they're wrong.  I would have to know their frame of reference or their own hypocrisy.  It is enough, for me, to allow that their opinions are always welcomed, however good, bad, or indifferent, as long as the opinion is constructive.  I bear them no ill feelings.  Any judgment of them is not for me to make unless they belong to the League of the Perpetually Offended and, if they do, then any judgment will simply add to the perpetual offense they will feel for eternity; there is nothing to be done to change them.  They hold a place in the greater scheme as a balance to things that are so much happier.  We cannot know one thing without knowing its opposite.

I leave my readers with a new favorite verse.  I think it pertains.

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.

-- Romans 14:1-23

Don't be a hypocrite but, rather, you "should be fully convinced" in your own mind that what you do, your belief, and your faith, is right.

I wish for everyone the full blessings of life, love, family, friendship, and a safe journey.

“I won't insult your intelligence by suggesting that you really believe what you just said.”

-- William F. Buckley Jr. (1925-2008), public intellectual, author, commentator

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.