Found while flipping through the Great Quotes file:
"It may be that the greatest proof of the effectiveness of social disapproval is its demonstrated ability to turn on itself." --Judith Martin
How true it is that the only socially disapproved sin these days is Social Disapproval, which is sometimes indiscriminately referred to as Judgmentalism.
Who is Judith Martin? You may know her better as Miss Manners.
Judith Martin is one of my favorite secular social commentators. If you also are a fan, you can read her column in archive at the Washington Post.
"How true it is that the only socially disapproved sin these days is Social Disapproval"
Right. The only unforgiveably rude thing would be to point out the rudeness of another.
I didn't think much of Miss Manners right at first... I thought she was probably a gimmick columnist who would fade quickly, but she has surprising depth and I find I agree with her the large majority of the time, which makes her clearly a GENIUS.
Posted by: Tim J. | August 18, 2006 at 10:09 AM
There are actually two socially disapproved sins: Social Disapproval and Smoking. Outspoken Catholics who enjoy a smoke are a sorry lot indeed.
Posted by: JCP | August 18, 2006 at 10:23 AM
You got that right, JCP. If my state ever passes a law that prohibits me from smoking cigars in my own vehicle, then ever time I drive, it will look like a pope was just elected.
Posted by: bill912 | August 18, 2006 at 01:20 PM
Isn't the condemnation of "Judgmentalism" itself judgmental?
Posted by: bill912 | August 18, 2006 at 01:21 PM
Isn't the condemnation of "Judgmentalism" itself judgmental?
A petty concern with constancy is the hobgoblin of little minds. . . .
OTOH, we little minds have A LOT more fun than you have been led to believe.
Posted by: Mary | August 18, 2006 at 04:45 PM
God is the most descriminating being ever.
25:41. Then he shall say to them also that shall be on his left hand:
Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, which was prepared for the devil and his angels.
Tunc dicet et his qui a sinistris erunt discedite a me maledicti in ignem aeternum qui paratus est diabolo et angelis eius
You can't get more discriminating than that.
So discriminating is not wrong.
Posted by: Some Day | August 18, 2006 at 05:07 PM
Isn't the condemnation of "Judgmentalism" itself judgmental?
Yeah, who am I to sit in judgment of another's soul? It's not like I am St. Padre Pio or anything, right? Who knows? Maybe Wayne Moore had it coming? :-)
Wayne Moore Getting Sucker Punched at McDonalds
Posted by: I'm Not Don King, but ... | August 19, 2006 at 11:52 AM