Word of the Day: Gossip

Word of the day: Gossip
Casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true.

Even the most hateful and most offensive opinions are assumed to be protected by our First Amendment right. Someone is always shouting "Freedom of Speech!!" Freedom to say what I want with no repercussions, because it's my right. Well, that's not exactly what the First Amendment means but I'll leave that alone for now.

People often take to social media to spew their filth, gossip, and hearsay. They make statements involving the quality of life one might choose or the decisions others have made in their past or present.  These statements are met with opposition for justifiable reasons but, is it wrong? The answer here is: Hell yes. But, I decided to look a little deeper and share why I believe it's wrong on more than one level. 

1. The Biblical Level: Proverbs 6: 16-19  says... There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. It's clear that gossip is definitely frowned upon. Shoot, even in Psalms, the Bible says to keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. It's mentioned that he who slanders his neighbor secretly, will be destroyed. Those are pretty harsh terms but if you are someone who seeks answers from the Bible, look no further, there is no question that gossiping is wrong on a biblical level.

2. The Legal Level: People who feel as though someone has spoke of them in a negative light to ruin or spoil their character believe they have been slandered/libeled. Slander is an oral statement whereas libel is when someone takes their defamatory remarks and puts them to paper- or in some cases, web postings. In some cases this is punishable by a court of law. 

To say that someone has slept with 900 people is merely an unfounded statement (a very ignorant and unlikely one) but if you are to accuse someone of a crime or disease, it's slanderous/libelous. In fact, if you accuse someone of committing a crime and it's not true but your words result in actual loss for that person- let's say their job, it's considered an actionable reason for suit.  Sounds pretty wrong on a legal level.

3. The Morally Ethical Level: No one likes to be talked about. No one deserves to be publicly humiliated for their mistakes or shortcomings. Spreading gossip makes you come across as petty, like you don't know how to behave. If someone took the darkest part of you, I mean the deep stuff, the stuff that hurts immensely or makes you feel shame to even think about and shared it with the world, you'd be sick. If you can put yourself in the shoes of the person you are speaking about and feel even slightly embarrassed, it's probably a good idea to just stop. And that is wrong on a morally ethical level. 

So think about this before you share..

• Are you emotional about what you want to share? Angry, upset, sad, or otherwise...
• Is it your story to tell? By that I question, are you a main character in the plot of your story? Are you the only one who could be harmed in continuing with what you are about to say?
• What is your intention with your words? If malice or defamation, stop.
• Are you looking to build yourself up by burning of those around you? What are you going to gain from sharing?

 :)