Gossiping a mortal sin?

[Theresalux]

When does gossiping become a mortal sin? My husband and I like to watch a show about Alaska and people who live there. It’s a reality show. Not scripted. So real life. I watch it every day and he watches it infrequently. In the beginning of the show there is a couple, a guy and his wife that appears quite frequently. During the process of the show the couple split up, or got divorced or whatever. And the wife was no longer on the show. Anyway, my husband and I were watching it and he hasn’t seen any of the recent seasons, and I kinda blunted out when it came to a scene of the guy…” (the wife) left him” and I realized that I shouldn’t have said that. He didn’t need to know that, and he probably would not have known otherwise. I know most people don’t think about talking about reality show stars as sinful , but I think it could be! Could what I did be considered a mortal sin?

 

[Vico]

When does gossiping become a mortal sin? My husband and I like to watch a show about Alaska and people who live there. It’s a reality show. Not scripted. So real life. I watch it every day and he watches it infrequently. In the beginning of the show there is a couple, a guy and his wife that appears quite frequently. During the process of the show the couple split up, or got divorced or whatever. And the wife was no longer on the show. Anyway, my husband and I were watching it and he hasn’t seen any of the recent seasons, and I kinda blunted out when it came to a scene of the guy…” (the wife) left him” and I realized that I shouldn’t have said that. He didn’t need to know that, and he probably would not have known otherwise. I know most people don’t think about talking about reality show stars as sinful , but I think it could be! Could what I did be considered a mortal sin?

It must be grave matter. It can be when it is detrimental to a person’s reputation.

Catechism

2477 Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury. 278 He becomes guilty:
- of rash judgment who, even tacitly, assumes as true, without sufficient foundation, the moral fault of a neighbor;
- of detraction who, without objectively valid reason, discloses another’s faults and failings to persons who did not know them; 279
- of calumny who, by remarks contrary to the truth, harms the reputation of others and gives occasion for false judgments concerning 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.

2484 The gravity of a lie is measured against the nature of the truth it deforms, the circumstances, the intentions of the one who lies, and the harm suffered by its victims. If a lie in itself only constitutes a venial sin, it becomes mortal when it does grave injury to the virtues of justice and charity.

 

[Theresalux]

It must be grave matter. It can be when it is detrimental to a person’s reputation.

So discussing reality stars marital status does not constitute grave matter? I mean, by appearing on the show and giving an insight to their lives and broadcasting their way of life is kinda public knowledge is it not?

I know a lot of people don’t see it the same as talking about the neighbors or what Susie the church lady did, but famous, or slightly famous people are people too!

and my worry is that I’ve gossiped and sinned by telling my husband about them splitting up. He probably never would have known if I hadn’t said anything.

 

[Soubirous1]

i feel gossip should be avoided entirely. it only spawns hate and people can be devastated. Jesus called it backbiting.

 

[Theresalux]

i feel gossip should be avoided entirely. it only spawns hate and people can be devastated. Jesus called it backbiting.

Agreed. It was one of those things that the moment I said it I was like “really?? I should not have just said that! Why did I do that?” So to that degree I’d say it was probably a venial sin? Hopefully?

 

[Zach]

If you aren’t sure go to Confession or talk to a priest.

 

[porthos11]

When does gossiping become a mortal sin? My husband and I like to watch a show about Alaska and people who live there. It’s a reality show. Not scripted. So real life. I watch it every day and he watches it infrequently. In the beginning of the show there is a couple, a guy and his wife that appears quite frequently. During the process of the show the couple split up, or got divorced or whatever. And the wife was no longer on the show. Anyway, my husband and I were watching it and he hasn’t seen any of the recent seasons, and I kinda blunted out when it came to a scene of the guy…” (the wife) left him” and I realized that I shouldn’t have said that. He didn’t need to know that, and he probably would not have known otherwise. I know most people don’t think about talking about reality show stars as sinful , but I think it could be! Could what I did be considered a mortal sin?

Under similar principles as you would treat detraction and calumny. It can become grave matter and therefore potentially mortal sin if the gossip cause grave damage to a person’s good name.

Talking about celebrities and stars and their marital status inflicts little to no damage to their reputations, and so it is unlikely a sin. However, are celebrities and stars and their relationships really the best subject matter for a discussion? There’s an old adage, with which I agree:

“Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.”

So maybe not a sin. But at least, an imperfection, which we should still try to overcome while it’s still an imperfection, lest it lead to venial sin, and eventually to mortal sin.

Now of course if you hear a false rumour that your priest had a sexual affair with a minor, and you gleefully pass it around, eventually reaching the bishop and the police, putting him through legal hell, the loss of his ministry and a trial, only to find out later that he was innocent all along, then you are guilty of grave calumny, and that is a double mortal sin: calumny and sacrilege, both of which you have to confess. You not only have to repent and confess, but you have the grave obligation to repair the damage you caused.

So really, it depends. Gossip can be a “mere” imperfection, or it can send you to hell.

 

[Theresalux]

Well said! Thank you for the response!

 

[whichwaytogo47]

When does gossiping become a mortal sin?

When you know the person you’re gossiping about and you’re deliberately trying to damage someone’s reputation. It’s not from a lack of self-control, it’s a large enough of an issue, and you know that it’s wrong but do it anyways. It’s not simply venting / frustration, but despising the person.

Gossiping can be a mortal sin EVEN IF what you say about a person is TRUE; it’s called the sin of detraction. Gossiping that is not true is the sin of calumny.

https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/calumny-and-detraction.html