March 2012 | Vol. 13 | Issue 65 (Bi-monthly)140 W. South Boundary Street | Perrysburg, OH 43551

IN THIS ISSUE:u Editorials: Depression Trauma & Hidden Secrets

u Letters to the Editor

u Victims Voice

u Saving the Russells of the World

u My Name Is...

u My Damascus Miracle

u Pushers & Pullers: Which One Are You?

u Judge This Thought

u Never

u And More...

www.compassionondeathrow.net

Publishing compassionate and introspective articles written by death-row prisoners.

Written by Death-Row Prisoners

I, a human being, was born out of the ground of earth. I was and am living in earth’s atmosphere. I am related to the mountain’s rocks. My existence is woven from the plants’ mantle. The animal kingdom supports my body’s power with food. Yet how earth and rocks and life are combined in me into a miracle of harmony.

The earth’s ground will fall away beneath my feet; air will become the bearer of death. The rocks of the mountains will topple down. The garment of plants will wither away. The life of animals will be dazed. But I shall bear the fruits of earth’s existence to a new world-creation of “Daniels Prophesy” in the future. To feel mortality being enveloped by immortal-ity which is our Lord’s goal. There in lies wisdom. In every breath of life, beauty is conceived, and courage ripens in every pulse of “God’s Beat.

Larry RushPennsylvania Death RowWaynesburg, PA

MetamorphosisChange is not an event, act or decree of

behavior. It is not some strange phe-nomenon that will instantly bestow certain

fortune. No, change is rather a journey with polarizing effects

that illustrate emotion. Change is a journey that is motivating

and discouraging, inspiring, yet overwhelming, challenging, but

rewarding. It is helpful at some points, while harmful at others.Change is a force that is constructive

and destructive, leaving you vulnerable with insecurities, and weakened by decep-tive familiarities. However, strength is built with accomplishments and failures; and, the will to survive and overcome, grants achievement.

Change is to look at yourself for the first time, not only as a person in the mirror, but also the person behind it; to under-stand what it is that you see, and possess the ability to control what you see. That is applied change.

Change is acceptance courted by rejec-tion, in harmonious dance with destiny, shaping perception into reality, while sepa-rating reality from fantasy.

For better or worse, change is to become what you “were” not before, even if your appearance has the same reflection.

I, A Human

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor are welcomed from all prisoners (this includes non-death row prisoners) and the outside community.

In submitting letters, we ask that compassionate and introspective guidelines apply to your communications.

Limit size to 400 words or less. Letters may be edited for clarity and space considerations.

CONTACT US AT:Letters to the Editor COMPASSION 140 W. South Boundary Street Perrysburg, OH 43551

COMPASSION OUTSIDE COORDINATORcompassionondeathrow@msn.com

TEL: 419-874-1333

FAX: 419-874-3441

WEBSITE ADDRESS:www.compassionondeathrow.net

PUBLISHER Compassion

CO-EDITORS Abu Ali Abdur-Rahman

Marcus Wellons

ASSISTANT EDITORS Al Cunningham,

Konstantinos Fotopoulos, Siddique Abdullah Hasan,

and Melvin Speight

COMPASSION ADVISORY BOARD

Death-Row Prisoners

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ker’y D Allen, Michael Bell,

Gregory Decay, Kevin Marinelli, Larry Rush Dorian Frank O’Kelley,

Duane Allen Short and Minister Kenneth Williams

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Please Note: Any opinions expressed

in this publication are those of the

individuals writing them and not of

Compassion or other staff members.

Editorial: Depression

Depression affects billions worldwide indiscriminately; rich, poor, those in chains,

and those free.

First I’d like to thank God for blessing us to see the beginning of spring 2012 and also

for our readers, writers, support staff, subscrib-ers and generous donors. You are Compassion! Thank you and may we continue to raise the bar throughout this year.

Although with the joyous Easter Season ap-proaching, it is important to note that there are many who may be sad and lonely and they may feel depression and have a suicidal urge. Depres-sion affects billions worldwide indiscriminately; rich, poor, those in chains, and those free. It affects twice as many women as men and has a genetic predisposition.

De-Press-ion literally means “pressed down.” A 500 pound ball pressing down on a sheet

of foam alters the foam’s shape but when it is removed it returns to its normal shape. This is synonymous with a person whose heart and soul is pressed down. Once that process is com-plete, or treated, many times normalcy returns.

Depression comes in many forms and has varying causes. Several are listed below:u Bipolar – This form is often characterized by

extreme highs and lows. Fifty percent of those affected have at least one parent with the same disorder.

u Melancholia – In 2 A.D. Dr Acetous named this depression because patients are normally sad, dismayed, sleepless, thin, and desiring death. Psychologists call this a mood disorder.

u Normal or Reactive Depression – This can be precipitated by an unfavorable court ruling, divorce, retirement, menopause, grief, sin and unforgiveness. If the condition persists it can become “clinical” and may require medication and therapy.

u Chemical Depression – This occurs with a chemical-inbalance in the brain which can also affect the thyroid gland.

u Masked Depression – Repressed memories of physical, sexual, or psychological abuse or neglect can be causes of this depression.

u Neurotic Depression – This impairs normal daily activities and adjusting to stressful situations.

Since depression can affect the whole body, the whole person, body, soul and spirit must be treated for optimum results.u The Mind – Research verifies that thoughts

can change brain chemistry. Apostle Paul in Phil 4:4-9 exhorts meditating on things that are honest, true, virtuous, lovely, and of God’s and peoples’ love for you.

u The Will – Although we may feel paralyzed and discouraged, will yourself to bless someone else. Listen to inspirational music and keep a clean and neat environment.

u Emotions – Depressed people are often angry, critical, negative and irascible. They need toler-ance, patience, forgiveness and compassion.

u Body – Proper diet, rest and exercise are needed.

u Spirit – The psalmist David repeatedly asked why his soul was so down cast. His answer was “Hope thou in God” - Elijah felt all alone and wanted to die. God sent him a sword and food by ravens. Jesus was so distressed by his im-pending torturous death he sweat blood. God sent him angels to comfort Him. Whatever you are going through, seek God’s

plan and purpose for your season and know He loves you. You can even use the painful pruning of Depression to draw you closer to Him, to reveal His plan for your life. In His presence is fullness of joy.

Marcus Wellons Co-Editor Georgia Death Row Jackson, GA

u Psychotic Depression – Giving one possible delusions and hallucinations this disease may make one a danger to self and others.

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Letters to the Editor:

Abu Ali Abdur Rahman Co-Editor Tennessee Death Row Nashville, TN

To teach our children to consider non-vio-lence, and to become a wedge between them

and the penal system, requires much more of us than to use the cliché, “Don’t Follow Me.”

Interposing fear as a tactic is not sufficient. Trying to scare a child who is perhaps psycholog-ically damaged will only urge irrational behavior. A mental disorder is not a subject we talk about easily because we perceive it to be shameful. No one wants to talk about the psychological scars, acquired when one experienced horror, felt rejected or forced into a terrible trauma.

We are programmed to view emotional disorders in a degrading way. That is not our fault. We are told, to acknowledge a mental sick-ness goes against the grain and is not constituted as part of “the rite of passage”. As a result society is psychologically deteriorating and losing our children. We cannot continue to ignore their emotional and psychological needs.

Editorial: Trauma & Hidden SecretsTo fully understand healthy decisions is not

possible unless one is taught how to make them. If an individual is not taught the ethics of life, then naturally the psychological makeup of an individual will not be what is deemed civil. Presented with this actuality, a person can not phantom reasoning according to the customs of our society.

As a nation and as a people, it behooves us to amend and reach out and touch the hearts of young people and make this world a better place if we can. I ask that we all consider and commune. Great Spirit, once more behold me on earth and lean to hear my feeble voice. Thank you.

Here is a poem to share with Death row prisoners.

My Death, My RebirthMy life is out of controlAll I can feel is the painIt’s finally taken its tollGod please turn off the rainI’ve lost all trust and respectI thought love never failed It’s what I’ve come to expectAll my loved ones have bailedInside these fences is hellThere is nowhere to hideI find rest in a cell But my own prison’s insideThe nightmares come in the nightI hear screams and moansBut I seal my lips tightWhen I realize they’re my ownThis must be how it feels When in the presence of deathI have no right to appealGod just take my last breathI can’t go on anymoreSo I’ll just say my goodbyesI hear a knock on the door I think it’s time that I dieI awake to a voiceIt says, “I won’t let you die”You may have made a bad choiceBut I need you aliveI have forgiven you, sonOpen your eyes

Dear Compassion,This past year a jury had to decide whether to sentence me to life, or death. They were presented with some of my art and poetry, much of which has been published and decided not to give me the death sentence. I am enclosing some of my poetry and hope you find it worthy of use.

AwkwardIt’s not that she’s translucentUnnoticeable, or afraid.It’s that she is so beautiful,And I can feel my heart betrayed.I was so surprised to see her, Nothing of her beauty changed, Except that it has become so forceful,Even though she seems ashamedIt’s hard to keep my focus,On anything that I should sayBecause I know that her beauty Can crush the walls that I’ve portrayed.

Letter from General Prison Population

We Are Thinking BigCompassion offered me an opportunity to serve as Assistant Editor for the “Letter to the

Editor” page of Compassion newsletter. Immediately, I accepted the offer and awaited

further instructions… “You would be in charge of encouraging and soliciting articles from

those in the general prison population to be put in the “Letter to the Editor” section. You

could bring forth ways in which you feel Compassion could reach out to others on or off

death row. Any other ideas you have please let us know.”

My ideas…Let’s use excerpts from inmates’ letters to the editor, and print twits, up to

thirty-five words, from their correspondence. Let’s put these twits on the “Letter to the

Editor” page. We can use the best ideas coming from the General Prison Population to

bring the message of Compassion to the public. Instead of 350 word articles from one or

two we could include the best ideas from many writers expanding the number of those

whose names and articles appear in Compassion.

Compassionate twitters motivated by compassion, write a letter to the editor. Compassion

is a noble gift to share. Will you help us please?

Anthony Owens Kern Valley State Prison Delano, CA

Jonathan C. Holemon California Correctional Institute Tehachapi, CA

Charles Henry Diller Assistant Editor State Correctional Institution Dallas, PA

Molly Hawthorn MacDougall (right) with Margaret

Margaret Hawthorn’s 31 year old daughter Molly was murdered in her New Hampshire

home in 2010. The man accused of the murder is currently awaiting trial.

Margaret writes, “As tragic and senseless as Molly’s death is, I am relieved that this is

not a capital case. As a child I came to my own conclusion that the death penalty was

wrong. But, like anyone who believes the death penalty is wrong, I later had to consider

the question, ‘Easy for you to talk of non-violence, but what if it was your loved one?’

Now it is my loved one. As a grieving mother, I have a voice I would never have chosen.

When I think about how to best honor Molly, I am certain it is by living into the values

she embraced. She trained to do life-supporting work. Her love for people and deep

compassion led her to choose a career of caring for others. I would not want anyone

killed in her name.”

Margaret has facilitated Alternatives to Violence Project workshops in New Hampshire,

Massachusetts, Indiana and Palestine.

For more information visit www.mvfhr.org

How to Best Honor Molly

Saving the Russells of the WorldA distraught father wrote a letter to

his nephew an Arkansas death row inmate. He lamented about how his teenage son, Russell Jr., was getting into all types of trouble. He just wouldn’t take heed of sound advice given by those whom have experienced great adversity and survived it. Russell Senior asked his nephew Decay to write Junior a letter warning him of the dangers of living the life of an outlaw. He figured, who knows better than a con-demned man. Your sins will seek you out...They’ll catch up with you sooner-or-later.

Still trying to make sense of life himself; not quite where he should be, yet no longer in the place of despair where he use to be, Decay wrote to his uncle with this message: I am unable to accommodate your request. I’m in no shape to be advising anyone on their behavior and conduct. He wrote, “In retrospect, when I was a youngster, I didn’t give a damn. I listened to no one, ignorantly thinking I had it all figured out. I deceived myself at great cost. Thus, Russell Jr., having been influenced by me, will be no different. Some lessons have to be lived to be taught, no matter how unfortunate.”

Nearly a year later, Decay received tragic news concerning his younger cousin, Russell Jr. He wasn’t dead, surprisingly. However, consequently, someone else was...Russell Jr. had been arrested for murder, and was facing serious time, or even possibly the death pen-alty! Now just to think its possible fate could have been re-written had Decay wrote to his cousin warning him of the consequences of his recklessness. Two lives could have been saved. Both Russell’s and the victim. Fur-

Minister Kenneth WilliamsArkansas Death RowGrady, AR

Gregory DecayArkansas Death RowGrady, AR

thermore take into consideration, potential offsprings, that now, will never be, given that the victim is deceased.

No matter how ill equipped or inad-equate we think we may be, everyone has value. Thus has something special to offer. Even if the something is only a stern warn-ing to someone else walking aimlessly in darkness. That warning may well be the difference between life and death. How valuable are our warnings when given. How costly are they when withheld.

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t Easter Basket Pencil & Watercolor

Death Row Prisoners Donate ArtF O R S C H O L A R S H I P S

Please Donate to Our Scholarship Fund...

We are in Need of Prisoner Drawings and PaintingsProceeds from all artwork go to award college scholarships for family members of murdered victims.Send original artwork to: Art for Scholarships Compassion 140 W. South Boundary St. Perrysburg, OH 43551

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My Name Is...

My Damascus MiracleThe Apostle Paul. I think of him, when I

think of the miracle being performed in me. Saul, later Paul, who was on a mission to hunt down Christians, was found by Christ. Paul, like me, was full of arrogance and misguided. But, God saw something else, something greater in Paul and in me likewise.

I do not consider myself to be as great a godly man as the Apostle Paul. Following his miraculous conversion. I mean, wow! Paul was chosen to write many books of God’s Holy word. God told Ananias, that Paul, when he was still Saul and misguided, was a chosen vessel. What a wonderful and miraculous thing! That God can see, can deal with, and bring a man such as that, to a place of redemption and purpose. And not just an ordinary purpose, but a purpose for The Living God!

Paul referred to himself as being the chief of sinners. I know, how truly, awfully sinful that I and my sins once were! When I think

Kevin Marinelli Pennsylvania Death Row Waynesburg, PA

Beyond the healed bones From “sticks and stones” The pain still remains My name is…hurt

Beyond the chastity lost There lingers a cost A scarring of the soul My Name is…shame

Beyond the crime done And repentance has won Sorrow has not died My Name is…grief

Beyond the addiction broken And apologies spoken A shattered life yet exists My Name is…regret

Beyond the disease diagnosed A life of misery confirmed A stricken body felt My Name is…pain

Beyond a love mourned A heart left unadorned And dryless tears My Name is…lonely

Beyond all that’s desired Belief like raging fire A glimmer remains My Name is…faith

Beyond what is seen And everything between I push on and on My Name is…hope

Beyond the prayers said And the scriptures read A heart full of joy My name is…Love

about it, I am amazed at how God could see any thing of value in me, let alone, forgive me of such sinful and horrible transgressions. But God did.

Like the Apostle Paul, I too am in prison. The difference is, I am here for a crime that I committed and for laws that I broke, while I was still in sin and unsaved. God has used me more in prison, than what I ever could have been before being broken and humbled.

Does God want anyone to go through such unfortunate events? Probably not! God I would imagine has a perfect will for each of us. Unfortunately, many of us don’t willingly seek after God’s Perfect Will for our life. So, God in His Great Mercy comes along with an alternative plan, in the midst of the mess we sometimes make of this life. God does this, because He is so very merciful, and also, so perfectly patient.

(Continued on page 6)

by Von Davis Ohio Death Row Youngstown, OH

Half the funds from subscriptions and undesignated donations to Compassion are given as college scholarships to immediate family members (parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling) of murdered victims.

If you or someone you know is a U.S. citizen and is either attending or planning on attending a college or university (academic or religious) as a student and had a family member mur-dered, please submit an application.

To Obtain an Application:Write COMPASSION 140 W. South Boundary St. Perrysburg, Ohio 43551 Call 419-874-1333 Ask for Compassion’s officeVisit www.compassionondeathrow.net

Death Row PrisonersPlease Write To Help Youth!Compassion is gathering essays written by death row prisoners on words of advice on how juvenile offenders can best avoid going back into prison. Recidivism rates are very high among youth and your words of encourage-ment and wisdom may save a young person from having to reenter the prison system. This book, like “Today’s Choices Affect Tomorrows Dreams,” will be sent without charge to at-risk youth in juvenile detention facilities throughout the United States. Send your submission to:

New Book Compassion 140 W. South Boundary Perrysburg, OH 43551

All stories are subject to editing for grammar, sentence structure and clarity.

Scholarship Funds are

Now Available

To Our Readers:Anything death-row prisoners write may jeopardize their future appeals. Knowledge of these facts may limit the scope of a prisoner’s expressions.

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Al Cunningham California Death Row San Quentin, CA

A woman’s dog disappeared. After a diligent search to no avail she placed a lost dog ad in

the local newspaper. The next morning her phone rang and a weak

cracking voice on the other end stated she was calling about her lost dog. She complained and said she was not feeling well since the recent death of her husband and both parents and that her sister was gravely ill. She also detailed the maladies of all her sick friends and the details of several of their funerals.

After listening sympathetically for 30 min-utes and trying to help the dog owner steered the conversation back to her lost dog. The caller responded, “I don’t have him; I just called to cheer you up.”

Maybe her technique needed refining, but her intentions were right on. And though “cheering up” may not be exactly what we require, we cer-tainly need encouragement – pulling up – at times. A heartfelt word of encouragement will quench a spirit parched by affliction as surely as a cup of cool water will refresh a dry thirsty throat.

The need for sincere encouragement is basic among human beings. The Smithsonian Institu-tion in Washington D.C. displays the personal effects found on President Abraham Lincoln the night he was shot. They include a small handkerchief embroidered “A Lincoln,” a pen knife, a spectacle case repaired with cotton string, a Confederate five-dollar bill, and a worn-out newspaper clipping extolling his accomplishments as president.

The article begins, “Abe Lincoln is one of the greatest statesmen of all time…”

Why would one of the most highly regarded leaders of American history carry around such a document? Did he not know his own worth? The answer is found in the fact that Lincoln was not as popular during his lifetime as he became after death. His leadership was under constant fire, he was frequently an object of ridicule in the press, and bitter critics dissected his every decision.

He needed something to remind himself that, though, battered by the disappointments of life and scorned by those he sought to lead, there were still others who valued his contribution. There were still those, perhaps not as vocal, who believed in him.

He, too, needed encouragement.Do you need encouragement?There are those who will rally to your side.

Educator Booker T. Washington observed, “There are two ways of exerting one’s strength; one is pushing down, the other is pulling up.”

There are people ready to pull you up when others are pushing down. We need those people in our lives: those people who exert their strength by pulling us up.

I believe these people can be found every-where. I believe that we can all become “pullers,” lifting one another from dark pits of discourage-ment to the light of hope. And when that hap-pens, the world will never be the same.

Pushers & Pullers: Which One Are You?

I praise God! Not because of my unpleasant circumstances, but because, that through them, God has helped bring me to Him. At the lowest point of my life, when I was broken into pieces and my whole life was shattered, God gently reached down with loved and picked me up. Praise God, for His wonderful Goodness! God’s Love is so amazing and beyond comprehension!

So, even in the worst of situations, such as sitting in a 7x12 prison cell, possibly facing a day in the future when execution may come. God is still perfectly capable of performing his will for my life. Though I allowed sin to cast me and my life down, God loved me enough, that I wasn’t completely destroyed! God, through Jesus Christ my Savior, redeemed my eternal soul and saved me from eternal death and hell! This s God’s Miracle in me!

My Damascus Miracle (Continued from page 5)

Please mail your writings to:COMPASSION

140 W. South Boundary St. | Perrysburg, OH 43551

If you want to share someone else’s work, please be sure you include the name of the author or its origin.

YOUR ASSISTANCE WILL BE APPRECIATED

LEAD DONORS ($5000 OR MORE):Catholic Diocese of Toledo, OHKen & Elizabeth Green, Kansas City, MOKen Cappelletty, Perrysburg, OH

SILVER DONORS ($1000 OR MORE):An Anonymous FriendHoly Family Parish, Calendonia, MIUnited Church of Christ, Cleveland, OHSt. Anthony of Padua Fargo, ND St. Rose Parish, Perrysburg, OH

BRONZE DONORS ($500 OR MORE):Saint Rita Church, Rockford, IL Anne Barbeau Gardiner

PATRONS ($100 OR MORE):St. Michael Ridge Catholic Church, Defiance, OHSt. John Evangelist, Lima, OHMartha BaldoniPeace FoundationGrace Universal Community ChurchCatholic Diocese of YoungstownArizonans to Abolish Death PenaltyOSF Mission Activites

Compassion Donation | Participation FormHalf of all amounts below will be given in college scholarships to family members of murdered victims.q Benefactor – $10,000q Lead Donor – $5,000q Gold Donor – $2,500q Silver Donor – $1,000q Bronze Donor – $500q Patron – $100.00 To $499.00q Subscriber – $50.00q Prisoners Not On Death Row – $25.00q Other

Enclosed is $ for the donation/subscription checked on the left.q Please keep my gift anonymous.

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Please send tax deductible contribution to: St. Rose Peace & Justice / Compassion 140 W. South Boundary St., Perrysburg, OH 43551

PRISONERS OF DEATH ROW

Suggestions and Guidelinesu Write about an experience that had an

effect on you.u Write about how to minimize hate in a

diverse prison environment.u Write about what you can do to be a

better person.u Write a poem to share with

Compassion readers.

Thank you to our donors who are making this publication possible.

NO DONATION IS TOO SMALL

Father John Graden Word ConsultantsAn Anonymous FriendPeople of Faith Against the Death PenaltySt. Charles Borromeo, PT. Charlotte, FLSisters of Mercy, Cincinnati, OHUrsuline Convent of the Sacred HeartCatholic Diocese Jefferson City, MODr. & Mrs. Steven FoxMargy PaolettiCorpus Christi Parish, Toledo OHCharles ShawRamona RipstonSisters of St. Joseph of CarondeletSisters of Notre Dame, Toledo, OHSue SchroederMartha MayWalter FosterCharlie & Peg McDanielSisters of the Precious BloodRev. Richard NotterRev. Edward OenSt. Clarence Church, North Olmstead, OHSt. Johns Episcopal, Howell, MISisters of Mercy of Americas

Rev. Arturo Perez-RodriguezAlison DavisSt. Thomas Aquinas, Derry, NHAlvera SamsSt. Mary Catholic Church, Defiance, OHPastor Rick Jaycees, Ellsworth, KSSt. Katharine Drexel, Frederick, MDRev. Nicolas WeiblRev. Stephen BlumEmmanual Church, Dayton, OHSisters of St. Francis, Tiffin, OHSisters of St. Francis, Sylvania, OHRev. Rick FriebelRev. Neil KookootheMarietta Jaeger LaneRev. James PeifferRev. Doug HennessyRev. Donald FeichtRev. Neil J. MooreCarol KrausRev. Charles RitterCarl & Lorena HydeHoly Trinity ChurchCharles Diller

Compassion is sent free to all 3,300 U.S. Death-row prisoners. Half of subscriptions and undesignated donations are given in college scholarships to immediate family members of murdered victims. Please send your donation today! Thank you!

u Write in a way that will give your audience an informed understanding.

u Avoid writing about your individual case.u Avoid arguing against the death penalty.u Your article does not have to be religious

in nature.u Try to limit your article to 400 words or less.u If possible, enclose a photo of yourself.

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ALSO THANK YOU

TO OUR SUBSCRIBERS

St. Rose Parish215 E. Front StreetPerrysburg, Ohio 43551

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undesignated donations are

given in college scholarship

form to family members of

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us. Contribute now so that we

can maintain free distribution

of Compassion to all 3400

death-row prisoners. See form

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An Appeal to the Outside Community

Michael Bell Florida Death Row Raiford, FL

Never Say I love you

If you really don’t care

Never talk about feelings

If they really ain’t there

Never hold my hand

If you’re gonna break my heart

Never look into my eyes

If all you do is lie

Never say “hello”

If you really mean goodbye

If you mean forever then

Say you will try

Never say forever cause

Forever is not promised

NEVERNot long ago I received a letter from someone

interested in writing me. In his letter he men-tioned about not judging me and he had learned this valuable lesson from the children in his wife’s second grade class she teaches. There was a Christ-mas program and when it was over his wife walked the children back to their class and he followed. He told me that he and his wife are about the same age. So when he walked into the class he asked his wife’s students, “Do you know who I am?” One of the students said, “Yeah, you are our teacher’s father.”

I couldn’t help but to laugh. But what this person was trying to tell me was that he learned from the heart of a child not to judge a person from the appearance of what something looks like. So often people are judged by not what they know as a fact but by what someone has said about them. So when you see that individual you have a preconceived idea about them that came from another person that might not like that person.

I believe that if we can be easily persuaded to judge an individual based on what someone else

Judge This Thoughtthinks about them then that makes us no better than the person that’s trying to poison your mind about another person. We live in a society that judges on the basis of how we look, or dress or the way a person talks or walks, and never really gets to know that person for who they really are. But the worse kind of judging is when someone has to put another person down to make themselves look good.

If we can let others persuade us to judge a person based on what they think so that they can look good, then that makes us no better than the person who’s putting someone down. So when we are wrongly judged, let’s remember how we our-selves judged, and then maybe we will be careful to judge not, lest we be judged.

Ker’y D AllenTexas Death RowLivingston, TX