When talking about others is gossiping?

[anneramones]

I get that if I go and tell people about another person’s private stuff than this is gossiping and is bad, and I don’t do that but is talking about others always gossiping? Is sharing an opinion about someone gossiping? If I am with a friend and she asks me “ what do you think about that girl you know” should I tell her my opinion even if is not a good one and be honest or is this gossiping? If I’m with a friend and we talk about some stuff we know happened, for example with a friend yesterday we were remembering a scandal that happened some years ago between one of our teacher and a school girl, is this gossiping? When the line is being crossed?

 

[OKComputer]

If you feel a way towards someone and you have accurate information to back it up, than there is no problem informing others of it. However, you need to know it’s accurate. If you have firsthand 100% accurate knowledge that Samantha (I am making up names here) is a disloyal, than you can tell others she is.

It crosses into sinful when you aren’t 100% sure about Samanthas behavior yet you talk to others like you know you are.

 

[Jump4Joy]

I think of everything on a needs to know basis. Just because something is true that doesn’t mean it should be said. Evaluate your intentions. Is it true? Is it kind? Are you saying this to elevate yourself and put others down?

 

[Seagull]

Keep it on a mature level -
I like how you said the word scandal -
to me that means a legit thing to discuss -
But to go into detail with speculation…forget it.

 

[Reuben_J]

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they are called children of God. Mt5:9.

Is it harmful to the other person’s reputation? In reality many times our opinion of the person, even though we don’t know him/her, is often due to the things we heard about him/her.

So always be careful when talking about others. The golden rule is to always be charitable.

 

[thistle]

Modern Catholic Dictionary:

GOSSIP. Idle talk, especially about others. The morality of gossip is determined by the degree to which time is wasted in useless conversation, by the failure in justice or charity committed against others, and by the damage done to people’s reputation by those who gossip.

 

[Bluebright]

Think about why you are talking about someone. What is the purpose? to help them? or you or the person you are talking with? to sort out a problem? deal with a current issue? compare it to now and try work out a way to not let it happen again? Do you see my reasoning? It is for some kind of common good or reason. Or just idle speculation. If it’s just idle speculation… be very wary… this can lead to gossip. there really isn’t a need to talk about it, is there? If your friend is asking about a girl…ask why? what is the issue is there some problem. then try keep it fair and balanced toward the problem and confidential if it is to be something not nice. Will your opinion help someone? is it a true valid opinion? do you know the girl? if not make sure you add that. Balance the statement with the truth., ie she seems rude but I dont know her. If it’s a scandal from the past, think about how discussing it now helps now or if it is just chit chat and if it could hurt anyone now, such as if someone who was involved was sitting behind listening. If you have to discuss it, then be objective and fair as if someone involved were listening to you. If you can’t do that then dont bring it up.