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Gossip in Judaism

Main article: Lashon hara

Judaism considers gossip spoken without a constructive purpose (known in Hebrew as lashon hara) as a sin. Speaking negatively about people, even if retelling true facts, counts as sinful, as it demeans the dignity of man — both the speaker and the subject of the gossip.

According to Proverbs 18:8: "The words of a gossip are like choice morsels: they go down to a man's innermost parts."

[edit] Gossip in Islam

Islam considers backbiting the equivalent of eating the flesh of one's dead brother. According to Muslims, backbiting harms its victims without offering them any chance of defence, just as dead people cannot defend against their flesh being eaten. Muslims are expected to treat each other like brothers, deriving from Islam's concept of brotherhood amongst its believers.

[edit] Gossip in Christianity

Christianity condemns all kinds of gossip. The Epistle to the Romans associates gossips ("backbiters") with a list of sins including sexual immorality and with murder:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gossip#Gossip_in_Judaism

[oldsteve]

If it's so bad, why is it so much fun? And profitable? Look at the tabloids, magazines, and TV shows that make their livings from gossip!

[AfterMyNap]

Originally Posted by oldsteve

If it's so bad, why is it so much fun? And profitable? Look at the tabloids, magazines, and TV shows that make their livings from gossip!

Sounds like a question for Mrs. Kravitz, Steve-o.

[KathyM]

LOL Steve, no one ever said "sin" wasn't fun - it's just wrong. No one ever said making a profit will get you into heaven.

Off the top of my head, I can think of two people who were destroyed by gossip in a "sinful" way: 1) Michael Jackson and 2) Britney Spears. Both of them started out strong with a whole lot of talent, until cameras and reporters started following them around and judging their every move.

The sin was in taking a perfectly good human being and creating a monster - just because it's fun and profitable.

[SandyC]

I just want to say I am glad cameras aren't following me and I have warned the boys about going into political office. I will not tell a lie. lol

[AfterMyNap]

People in the public eye have a higher responsibility to their own reputations. Gossip doesn't ruin anyone but the gossip himself. The appearance of impropriety is as bad as the act itself.

[Kitty]

Nobody destroyed Brittany Spears and Michael Jackson but themselves. I don't recall seeing anyone holding a gun to their head and saying "you'll behave like an idiot or I'll kill you."

[SandyC]

I admit it. I inhaled.

[KathyM]

herekitty

I say that because they were nothing more than profit pawns for their parents. They spent their childhood performing for the crowds and making money. They were never allowed to be kids, and they were never taught how to be human beings. The only focus was on their talent and performance, the only place where they received nurturing. On stage was the only place where they received "love."

With both of them, they were at the height of their careers at the most vulnerable times of their lives - young adulthood. Michael suffered from severe acne and vitiligo. Britney most likely suffered post-partum depression along with not having a clue on how to be a mother. People had a field day (still are) cutting them down, laughing at their pain and blaming them for stumbling in life.

I certainly wouldn't leave a child of mine in their care, but I don't blame them for how they turned out as human beings.

[AfterMyNap]

Originally Posted by KathyM

herekitty

I say that because they were nothing more than profit pawns for their parents. They spent their childhood performing for the crowds and making money. They were never allowed to be kids, and they were never taught how to be human beings. The only focus was on their talent and performance, the only place where they received nurturing. On stage was the only place where they received "love."

With both of them, they were at the height of their careers at the most vulnerable times of their lives - young adulthood. Michael suffered from severe acne and vitiligo. Britney most likely suffered post-partum depression along with not having a clue on how to be a mother. People had a field day (still are) cutting them down, laughing at their pain and blaming them for stumbling in life.

I certainly wouldn't leave a child of mine in their care, but I don't blame them for how they turned out as human beings.

This is the juncture where this kind of discussion begins its slippery slope toward the snarky. Kathy, do you know these people personally, or did you get your knowledge from the very media machine that you here denounce?

There are a handful of people who know the truth about any of this and they are those who are personally and directly involved. To speculate about the whys and hows of others' lives is equally tantamount to gossip.