Compassion over self-righteousness

The world may seem to be in a moral crisis right now to many.

Swimsuits anger those in salwars. The human failings of those in the eye of the media are celebrated in vicious teardowns by the rest. The videos of our future generations acting out in the streets in one part of the world and calls for genocide in another are just a few reminders that all is not well in the world at the moment.

Those left wringing their hands try to correct this by doubling down on condemnation and rigorous punishment. This unfortunately only leads to further estrangement and anger.

We are quick to brand others evil and immoral and disrespect cultures and personal experiences different from our own, making us more alike the proud Pharisee rather than the repentant tax collector who went home justified before God (Luke 18: 9–14).

No one is perfect. Except for God. We all have our flaws, big and small. None of us are worthy to judge our fellow brothers and sisters under any circumstance, no matter what our worldly position or authority may be.
But all of us are qualified to be kind, to put ourselves in the shoes of those we condemn, to try to understand their pain or feelings, and to heal the situation with love and acceptance, rather than intolerance or hate.

Remember that in the end, their personal life circumstances may justify them, while our unkind assumptions and judgments of them may condemn us.

Nowhere in the history of mankind, has the condemnation of others led to a better outcome. The only answer is forgiveness of others and self, the patient bearing of criticism and emotional injuries, and practical compassion by embracing and standing with those whose thoughts and values may not align with our own, while taking care to not let go of our morals and values.

May our unconditional love of each other save us all.