Reading Detraction

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So I just recently found out that things like detraction and backbiting are sins - potentially mortal. So I was curious - if listening to detraction is a sin, is reading it (like in a news article, or even a forum post) also a sin?
 
Detraction is essentially using the truth to ruin somebody’s reputation.
 
Yes, I guess I’m unsure about reading it though. I know that listening to someone gossip is a sin, so is reading something the same as listening to someone gossip?

Or is the sin in listening the fact that you are inciting someone else to sin (by gossiping), so if there is no inciting then it isn’t a sin?
 
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I’m not going to make a determination of sin or no sin, but rather consider the harm that it does to you, the detractor, the detracted, and others. It is possible that your reading of detraction can harm all of the above, so I would avoid it when possible.
 
But couldn’t some forum responses on this site count as detraction then?
 
Yes, definitely.

If you stumble across it, that’s not your fault. If you dwell on it, that may be your fault. If it diminishes your love of neighbor, that’s the crux of the problem.
 
Usually whenever I read something that would count I don’t pay it too much mind, especially since the person is left anonymous (“this guy I once knew did this”, “this one girls said this” stuff like that.
 
Not sarcastic. I really am glad that you are here and that you are thinking about these everyday aspects of morality.
 
Turbulent said:
I don’t pay it too much mind, especially since the person is left anonymous
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In a way, we need to be careful even with reading anonymous detraction. If it leads the reader to think less of humanity in general (like thinking that most people cheat, lie, or hate), that wouldn’t be good. While it is true that some people cheat, lie, or hate, at least some of the time, we should try to see the goodness in every person.
 
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