Anything that will adversely affect others clearly calls for judgement, especially if the other is me. Anything outside that framework just makes one a busybody.

The only judgements I'm prepared to make, that warrants action on my part are:

1)Is that person's actions right now the beginning of a physical attack on me or my property, that I need to defend against?

2)Does that person choose to not respond to the world around him with rational, logical reason, that I should then ignore?

That doesn't mean that I won't act on my personal preference and prejudice.

The only judgements I'm prepared to make, that warrants action on my part are:

1)Is that person's actions right now the beginning of a physical attack on me or my property, that I need to defend against?

2)Does that person choose to not respond to the world around him with rational, logical reason, that I should then ignore?

That doesn't mean that I won't act on my personal preference and prejudice.

judging is like discrimination -- if you don't do it, you
turn into a worm and die off. . my jeep is 38 years old
and carries the license plate "nelybel" in honor of the
old Roy Rogers Show jeep ... I'm the guy! -- j
.

Right you are. I rarely keep a car less than 15 years unless its a lemon. Just basic maintenance allows for long life for most vehicles.

I agree with blarman and Thoritsu: judge, but- by and large- keep your mouth shut. The bottom line has to be 'whether their fist hits your nose' in some respect.

That being said, I am increasingly aware that the 'superficial' judgments we are supposed to refrain from are actually important metrics.

For example: A person with an 'old clunker'. Does this person realize that he is unable to get a date because the quality of woman he looks at is unimpressed by his vehicle (and clothes, which are 'old clunker' too). How does this effect me as his neighbor? It means that this is someone who is oblivious to how human beings judge on appearance. If I interact with this person, I need to be prepared to deal with this huge lacuna in his psyche.

Similarly, the woman who dresses like a teen or the guy who's speedo you cannot see but for his pot belly overhanging it. These are people who have some defect in their vision of reality, and a wise person will take this into consideration when dealing with them.

It is cosmically true that there should be no designated 'teen dress code' or 'correct car age', but there is actually such a thing in effect in our culture. If someone broadcasts that they are outside of 3SD from the local norm, you are advised to understand 'why' in order to interact with them effectively.

Do not ignore input from observation in order to maintain a politically correct philosophy.

Jan

The wrath of a smoker.
As long as you don't do it near me, you can smoke until you lungs dry up, and I'd never say a thing to you about it. Nor would I tell the spandex fat lady anything. One tenet I "religiously" adhere to is MYOB Mind Your Own Business. That and saying no to whoever I damn well please says it all.

You are right, I'm sure, but that doesn't fit in with my intent.

Of course you understand. The wonder is that so many don't.

Judgement calls are comparisons of what we see against some standard - whether arbitrary or from experience. The real question is whether or not the standard is reflective of reality or merely cobbled together from what we wish reality to be.

If we make our judgments against reality, our judgments will be well-founded on correct premises and principles and will reflect that same reality.

Question: "How about the guy in the neighborhood who refuses to keep up with the Joneses? He's the guy with the 10 year old clunker in his driveway."
Incorrect Premise: Having all new automobiles is an accurate measure of a person's utility or value.
Correct Premise: Have we actually gotten to know that person and see what is unique or special about that individual?

Question: "How about the woman who dresses like a girl half her age?
Incorrect Premise: There is a certain acceptable "look" for women of any particular age.
Correct Premise: Are a person's looks indicative of their personality or value, or merely a symptom of trying to draw attention?

Well said.

Admittedly I am probably the least qualified as a biblical scholar here, but this quote is one of many that are used and interpreted incorrectly. The verse when taken out of context loses its intent and meaning. The full quote is “Do not judge, so that you will not be judged, since you will be judged in the same judgment that you make, and you will be measured by the same standard you apply.” It is not an admonition against making a judgment but an instruction that in doing so, that you examine your moral authority.
Another common one is the popular "Thou shalt not kill" when in fact an accurate translation is "Thou shalt not murder."

then why bother speaking with them?

Absolutely. You can try suing if you are disturbed by appearance, but unless it is an unsanitary situation that can cause or carry diseases you'll probably lose. A purple house may cause a lot of tsk,tsk, but, that's all.

I don't give a damn or judge what anyone else does as long as it does not effect me in a negative manner. I get told I shouldn't smoke all the time and usually by some seriously overweight woman in spandex who would do well by keeping her mouth shut.

Right on target.

My bike and car are both 13 years old. I can't stop people from making judgments based on that, and I have no desire to.

HOAs are voluntary, in that you must choose to buy -or not buy - a house in an HOA neighborhood. That was our #1 requirement when we bought - NO HOA ! So we can't complain if a neighbor paints their house purple, but then they can't do anything if we paint ours pink. One less layer of bureauracy is better for us.

Judging is OK, although its not politically correct in this crazy culture. Acting on them should be tempered by an acceptance of other persons rights. Political correctness HAS TO GO. Say what you think and feel and be yourself.

I believe everyone judges. Sometimes it is with all the fact and sometime not.

Driving an old clunker doesn't warrant judgement. A women dressing half her age also doesn't warrant judgement.

What does warrant judgement, someone intentionally doing harm to another. Harm can come in many forms.