Respect for the Reputation of Persons

T.A.Stobie, SFO · #1 Jul 15, '04, 3:04 pm

From the Catholic Catechism on Offenses to the Truth (violations to the 8th (7th for some Protestants) Commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.")

Quote:

Paragraph 2477:

Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury. He becomes guilty:
of rash judgment who, even tacitly, assumes as true, without sufficient foundation, the moral fault of a neighbor;

of detraction who, without objectively valid reason, discloses another's faults and failings to persons who did not know them;

of calumny who, by remarks contrary to the truth, harms the reputation of others and gives occasion for false judgments concerning them.

Consider how this would apply on an internet forum.

Passing of unsubstantiated rumors of this sort would definitely be sinful under rash judgement.

Even with substantial factual basis, unless it directly affects those you are addressing, and assuming it is true, it is still detraction.

On this forum, these sorts of acts are against the rules as well and can lead to suspension or banishment.

Think before posting negative posts about someone's private life that could affect someone's reputation.

Do I know the facts? If no, do not post.
Do I have an objectively valid reason to post it? These reasons would be very rare. If not, do not post.

darcee · #2 Jul 15, '04, 3:07 pm

Here here

I am so saddened by these personal attack posts that keep appearing.... what is the point?

-D

theMutant · #3 Jul 15, '04, 3:21 pm

So very true.

**Annunciata** · #4 Jul 15, '04, 3:30 pm

I'm so glad that you have posted this...I fear that it's really necessary. Thank you.

T.A.Stobie, SFO · #5 Jul 15, '04, 3:41 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Annunciata

I'm so glad that you have posted this...I fear that it's really necessary. Thank you.

I had seen enough of it going on to warrant this sort of apologetic effort to get both Catholics and non-Catholics to understand what the church teachings about this sort of behavior, which falls into the loose category of "gossip".

I hope one of the moderators capture the gist of my post and puts in with the rules just to remind posters of Christian behavior.

You are welcome.

AmandaPS · #6 Jul 15, '04, 5:01 pm

hawkeye · #7 Jul 15, '04, 5:16 pm

Saint John Viahenny once told a woman prone to gossip, to take a pillow case of feathers out on a windy day and shake them loose, now he said, go gather them up

carless words are like that.
A Father Ben that used to be in our parish years ago put it another way, he said, squeeze a tube of toothpaste out onto your hand, now he said, put it back in the tube ???

dcmac · #8 Jul 15, '04, 6:58 pm

Thank you Brother Stobie.

elgom · #9 Jul 15, '04, 9:43 pm

Thank you for your post it seems I should never leave the confessional. I pray for charity amongst all of us.

God bless.

yves · #10 Jul 16, '04, 8:56 am

Thank you! I would like to add that you "practice what you preach." Your posts in the various threads are kind and informative, as is your website.

God bless.

Pax · #11 Jul 16, '04, 11:41 am

You can never go wrong by loving your neighbor as yourself.

T.A.Stobie, SFO · #12 Jul 16, '04, 12:03 pm

If you find people that annoy you and might cause you to lose your temper, it is better to add them to your ignore list than let them get to you.

I use mine for people (only a few) who in my opinion have no interest in open discussion and post primarily to antagonize or detract from the conversation. They tend not to consider the full posts of others, rather jump on one point, even out of context, and lead it on a tangent. It is not worth my time or peace to play in their game.

Emmy · #13 Jul 16, '04, 12:07 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.A.Stobie, SFO

If you find people that annoy you and might cause you to lose your temper, it is better to add them to your ignore list than let them get to you.

I use mine for people (only a few) who in my opinion have no interest in open discussion and post primarily to antagonize or detract from the conversation. They tend not to consider the full posts of others, rather jump on one point, even out of context, and lead it on a tangent. It is not worth my time or peace to play in their game.

I am so glad you posted this. I see so many bashing going on because people don´t agree. And all I say keep respect for others even if you disagree. You can always make your point clear without being unrespectful.

God bless you

Emmy

Auberon Quin · #14 Jul 16, '04, 12:15 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.A.Stobie, SFO

Think before posting negative posts about someone's private life that could affect someone's reputation.

Do I know the facts? If no, do not post.
Do I have an objectively valid reason to post it? These reasons would be very rare. If not, do not post.

This is a very interesting and refreshing point of view. I would ask, in the interests of clarification, whether it applies to:

1. Democratic presidential candidates
2. Organizations

Katholish · #15 Jul 16, '04, 12:20 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawkeye

Saint John Viahenny once told a woman prone to gossip, to take a pillow case of feathers out on a windy day and shake them loose, now he said, go gather them up

carless words are like that.
A Father Ben that used to be in our parish years ago put it another way, he said, squeeze a tube of toothpaste out onto your hand, now he said, put it back in the tube ???

Wasn't the feather thing St. Francis de Sales?