Is this a mortal sin?

[FAH]

If someone asks you how you are and you reply by telling them your fine, when actually your not have you committed a sin? Would it be lying or pride?

Also if someone starts to reveal rumors (gossip) about another person to you, but you say that they might be mistaken or wrong and they go on to give some evidence to support the rumor have you committed the sin of willfully listening to gossip by saying that they may be mistaken and thus making them continue gossiping and have you also committed the sin of leading another into sin by making them continue gossiping even though you were defending the peoples being gossiped about?

Hope that makes sense.

Yours in Christ

FAH

 

[BRZ]

If someone asks you how you are and you reply by telling them your fine, when actually your not have you committed a sin? Would it be lying or pride?

Also if someone starts to reveal rumors (gossip) about another person to you, but you say that they might be mistaken or wrong and they go on to give some evidence to support the rumor have you committed the sin of willfully listening to gossip by saying that they may be mistaken and thus making them continue gossiping and have you also committed the sin of leading another into sin by making them continue gossiping even though you were defending the peoples being gossiped about?

Hope that makes sense.

Yours in Christ

FAH

I think you are being way too scrupulous here. For one, you must meet three requirements for something to be a mortal sin. It must be grave matter, you must know that is wrong and you must have intended to do it. You are not guilty of mortal sin.

Also, I do not think lying would even be grave matter. It depends on what the lie is. I would say that if someone asks you how you are feeling and you say just fine that you are not committing a sin, and even if you were it would be venial at best.

As for the other thing, you did mention to the person that they could be wrong, the fact that you listened to the rest of their gossip I do not think that constitutes sin. Again, if it does it is venial at best.

Take heart and do not be distressed. If you really feel bad go and see a priest in confession.

 

[Nelka]

Just make sure to remember:

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.”

 

[baltobetsy]

“How are you?” “Fine thanks, and you?” “Fine.” This is not a true question and answer session but a conventional greeting. You will know if the other person is really, truly asking about your welfare, and if you don’t, you need to brush up on your social skills. If the other person really wants to know and you don’t answer truthfully, then (unless they have no business asking), you have lied. Otherwise, they don’t really want to know, and by answering truthfully, you are being more bothersome than anything else.

 

[wworld]

In regular usage, if someone actually wanted to know your feelings, it’d be venial at most.

A lie is as serious as the consequences it has. So, saying you’re “fine” when you’re not would be mortal if, say, that would cause the world to blow up (I couldn’t think of a regular situation, okay?! ).