Whether or not you are judging the person or deed is a thorny area indeed !
It is much like" morality versus ethics"
What is the difference between Ethics and Morality?
Morality is based on the common, accepted behavior of the times, Ethics is based on perceptions of fundamental reality.
Morals are rules and customs of behavior that are determined to be right based on "norms"; behavior accepted by the majority in a society. Morals may be rational and they may be irrational.
Ethics are rules of behavior that are determined based on what is believed to be a rational understanding of reality. Ethics are always rational, relative to that understanding.
In the USA, today (Saturday, March 08, 2003 6:32 AM), where there is any standard at all, it is a moral standard, and it is dominated by the Christian belief system.
Caliber