Do We Have the Right to Judge

A couple of responses to one of our long and hot threads prompts me
to ask some questions for us to ponder privately: Do we have the right
to judge others?

To paraphrase several postings: what a person does on their own
time does not matter. It's not our place to judge or interfere. The
only thing that matters is 'is the person doing a good job?'

Is it really true that people can be one thing in private and another
in public? If so, would you want such a person as a role model?
Does one part of a person's life have any influence on the rest of
their life or are we able to compartmentalize all of our activities? Is a
person's character the sum of everything they do and say and believe?

In America, we have been told for years that we have no right to judge
the private lives of others. To do so risks being labeled "judgmental",
a "bigot", and "intolerant". To avoid these labels we must not disapprove
or voice any objection to anyone's lifestyle or private actions. In the
name of tolerance we must accept everything and anything. Even if
we strongly disapprove of the matter.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do
nothing."

The drive towards universal tolerance has led a nation to agree that
"character doesn't matter". Recent opinion polls show that Americans do
not care if their President has lied to them or even if he lied under oath
as long as the economy is healthy and the policies they want are being
enacted. "Private" activities and character doesn't matter as long as he's
doing a good job.

The fear of being accused of discrimination froze a camp director from
taking any action when parents and boys objected to a cross-dressing
adult in camp.

Should we be BRAVE enough to stand up and voice our opinion when
we think something is wrong? If parents object to a lifestyle or profession
as being wrong or immoral, do they have the right to object to having
that person as a teacher/role model for their children? Do people of
character have the right to say "I think that is wrong" and not be
intimidated into silence by fear of being labeled "judgmental"?

You may argue in a civilized manner about the morality of being a
stripper or cross-dresser. However, please do not dismiss someone
else's concerns with the reasoning that what they do on their own time
is irrelevant as long as they do a good job.

I do not wish to debate the fitness of a Cubmaster of another pack.
I do wish to preserve the rights of myself and others to voice concerns.
If you are unhappy with the leaders in YOUR unit, speak up. And if
you do not get the satisfaction you desire, vote with your feet and move
to another unit.

Peter Murphy

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