Theos-Talk Archives (December 2006 Message tt00198)

Friends, 

This is about having discernment: 
 
Question: Is it right to vote for an individual candidate or his political party during election, since we cannot check on the use or misuse of power and position they later enjoy? Is it right "to judge," favourably or not, any individual, such as a candidate, since Theosophy advises us not to judge?
Answer: The above question pertain to making a judgement and the fear of karmic consequences arising out of making defective decisions such as casting a "vote."   There is a difference between "passing judgement" and "judging," which is an application of our inherent faculty of discrimination. Charity demands that we refrain from sitting on the "judgement seat," i.e., being harshly judgmental about persons, with a view to critically notice only what we think is a faulty and defective side of others. We may find an erroneous justification for our condemnation of choices and actions of others, but we are not to condemn them as persons, in thought or in words. "Condemn the sin, but not the sinner."

And the text goes on: 

"We must never misuse our precious faculty of discrimination that helps us to assess people and situations, after due deliberation. For instance, before we employ a domestic help, it is necessary that we find out his/her background, character, efficiency, experience, credentials and suitability for the job." 

See the rest of it at: 

http://www.teosofia.com/Mumbai/7504questions.html

Regards,   Carlos. 


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