Gossip, when is it a mortal sin

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When is gossip a mortal sin? Does it have to involve grave or serious matter about another person, even if it is revealing something truthful. What if you reveal something bad about someone that is truthful, but not serious or grave?
 
I will speculate with you. I’d think we need to look at the motives, the expected and actual results, and whether you have broken confidences entrusted to you or gathered the information legitimately.

Also if it shows another person in a bad light, then I would definitely question your motives. The opposite extreme would be like a union where servants bargain collectively for working conditions.

There’s probably a straightforward answer, but mine wasn’t. 😛

Alan
 
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AlanFromWichita:
…The opposite extreme would be like a union where servants bargain collectively for working conditions.

There’s probably a straightforward answer, but mine wasn’t. 😛

Alan
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Gee Alan…were you spying on my workplace?? LMAO!!
~ Kathy ~ 😃
 
2477 Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury.277 He becomes guilty:
…
  • of detraction who, without objectively valid reason, discloses another’s faults and failings to persons who did not know them.
…

2479 Detraction and calumny destroy the reputation and honor of one’s neighbor. Honor is the social witness given to human dignity, and everyone enjoys a natural right to the honor of his name and reputation and to respect. Thus, detraction and calumny offend against the virtues of justice and charity.

As to when it becomes a mortal sin, it depends on the gravity of the sin. I don’t think there’s much of a question as to deliberate consent and full knowledge.

So, when is detraction (gossip) a grave sin? I think that is a very subjective question in which no formula exists. Examine each on a case-by-case basis. It’s best not to gossip altogether and you won’t have to worry whether or not you have committed a mortal sin.
 
When you tell a lie about someone else, it is the sin of slander. When you tell the truth about someone else (unless it’s something good) it is the sin of detraction.

Everyone has a right to their good reputation. So it is sinful to deliberately damage it for no good reason.

As for whether it is mortal or venial, that would depend on the seriousness of the effect it would have on someone’s reputation–regardless of whether you’re telling the truth or a lie.

I think most common gossip would be a venial sin. If it’s mortal my workplace would be in deep trouble. But there are probably occasions where it could be a mortal sin.

Those in the media ought to be especially careful, since any falsehoods or detractions they impart can go to the ends of the earth.

Likewise, because this is a public forum, we who post here probably have a greater responsibility for not spreading gossip or detraction, which can be spread all over the internet in a matter of hours.
 
I think sometimes, some gossip is therapeutic. We have an office that is somewhat dysfunctional (doesn’t everyone ?) and I am often put into the role of being the office councellor whether I want to be or not.

Some folks need to let off steam, some feel abused and frustrated (and rightly so by one particular individual.) I don’t believe these co-worker are slandering or detracting from the office bully (his reputation is well established and he adds to it daily). They are venting to someone (me) that they believe empathizes with them and sometimes may offer some advice or help.

IF they didn’t talk to me, I think they would eventually end up in professional therapy or flying off the handle completely. A lot of the time, I just try to be a good listener or just advise them to take it up with our manager. It is far better to vent your frustration to a friend or co-worker than to just let things simmer.
 
Gossip is something everyone does, with the possible exception of deaf-mutes and the dead. But that doesn’t mean it’s right.

I know gossip is a mortal sin when it leads directly to say, a suicide. There’s the age-old example of the young woman who’s had a baby without benefit of marriage. She gets the gossip spotlight for months and eventually gets so desperate she commits suicide. Idle gossip may not be a mortal sin, but driving someone to suicide is! Or when you get mad at a coworker and start spreading rumors about him/her that lead to job loss, matrimonial dissent, or other consequences. In that case, it’s no longer gossip, it’s calumny. Sweetchuck and Jim got that right. 👍
 
sweetchuck said:
2477 Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury.277 He becomes guilty:
…
  • of detraction who, without objectively valid reason, discloses another’s faults and failings to persons who did not know them.
…

2479 Detraction and calumny destroy the reputation and honor of one’s neighbor. Honor is the social witness given to human dignity, and everyone enjoys a natural right to the honor of his name and reputation and to respect. Thus, detraction and calumny offend against the virtues of justice and charity.
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Thax for the citation – I never would have thought of looking it up in the Catechism.
As to when it becomes a mortal sin, it depends on the gravity of the sin. I don’t think there’s much of a question as to deliberate consent and full knowledge.

So, when is detraction (gossip) a grave sin? I think that is a very subjective question in which no formula exists. Examine each on a case-by-case basis. It’s best not to gossip altogether and you won’t have to worry whether or not you have committed a mortal sin.
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I’d have to say it depends on how deliberate it is and the motivation. The worst-case would be starting a rumour you know to be false with the intent of damaging someone’s reputation.

There is a lot of gossip at my workplace and I try to stay out of it. Much of it is in the category of complaining about the boss (who is not a nice person), everybody with their own what-she-did/said-to-me lately. I don’t think that’s really pernicious but it easily turns into something malicious comments about her looks, habits, alleged proclivities, &c.
 
When is gossip a mortal sin?
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The moment you open your mouth.:cool:

I make it a practice to confirm all rumors with the source. You’d be surprised once people know you will do that, they don’t tell you nuthin’.
 
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