Please avoid gossiping

THIS may be the favorite pastime of many people, but it is

never good to gossip. To gossip is at least bad manners. If ever we

have to talk about somebody with some of our friends, only nice,

edifying things should be said.

  

            We actually have no right to say negative things about

others for the simple reason that the ones concerned would have no

chance to explain and defend themselves and those talked to usually do

not have any way to do anything about those negative things, since

they have nothing to do with the persons gossiped about.

  

            We have to be most careful when in a conversation the

topic would touch about a certain person who is not there. If the tone

is not positive, the most likely thing to happen is that the

conversation will turn into backbiting and mudslinging. The temptation

is usually strong, and many find it irresistible.

  

            Even if the negative things said of a person are true, it

is still wrong to gossip because that would be a form of detraction.

It would still go against the commandment of charity which has as its

finer points the demands of magnanimity, compassion, mercy,

understanding, etc.

  

            But what usually happens in that hush-hush tone of gossips

is that the negative things said are not true or are already

compromised what with all the exaggerations and distortions and the

voicing of biases and prejudices that are typical of gossips. In this

case, one would commit slander which is a more serious offense against

a person.

  

            Gossips encourage rash judgments, silly loquacity and

reckless considerations of persons. They actually dehumanize

gossipers. They spoil the tongue by letting it have its way without

the proper guidance of right reason, let alone, charity.

  

            As St. James said in his letter, we have to be most

careful with our tongue. “The tongue,” he said, “is a small part of

the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is

set on fire by a small spark. The tongue is a fire, a world of evil

among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the

whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by

hell.” (3,5-6)

  

            We need to be deliberate in training our tongue to follow

the requirements of truth and charity. That’s because we tend to be

loose and cavalier with it, and it actually needs to be closely

guarded and disciplined.

  

            Given the way the things are nowadays, we need to be most

concerned about this issue. That’s because gossips today are not

anymore hushed up. They have gone viral, enjoying a very vast

amplitude what with all the powerful modern technologies we now have.

  

            There is a lot of fake news around, and what people

present as facts that everyone should know are actually materials for

character assassinations and other fault-finding schemes. Today, even

big, powerful networks are making use of this kind of journalism and

public opinion.

  

            We cannot be passive before this kind of development. We

have to turn the tide. And this can mean that aside from avoiding

gossips, we should be ready to spread positive and constructive things

about persons, things, situations. We may have differences and

conflicts which are actually unavoidable, but we can always handle

them properly with charity and respect for everyone if we care.

  

            When talking with friends, and especially when talking in

public, we have to be ready with positive ideas and edifying words,

stories, anecdotes, facts, and even jokes to say. These things do not

compromise the objectivity of things, even if they may not capture

everything that need to be said or known.

  

            What should be avoided at all costs is to say negative

things. If they have to be said because one would need to explain or

defend himself, then a proper forum should be resorted to.