Gossiping: Where do we draw the line?

[square_eyed]

1. How would you define gossip?

2. Do you think that gossip is a problem in the church/community of faith?

3. Where do you draw the line? When does it become gossip?

4. What is your opinion of gossip in the church?

5. Is gossip worse inside or outside the church?

6. Anything else you would like to add??

It's for a Friend, who is conducting research for a Class
Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated

 

[£amb]

1. How would you define gossip?

(my own definition) Gossip is something that ruins the character of someone. It can be personal information or false information.

2. Do you think that gossip is a problem in the church/community of faith?

Yes, gossip does happen in the church and is a problem.

3. Where do you draw the line? When does it become gossip?

I draw the line when personal information is given out that should of remained confidental or attacking the character of the person being gossiped about.

4. What is your opinion of gossip in the church?

It discredits people whether they are the pastor or just someone visiting the church. It can create cliques (sp?) and cause people to shun others because of something they've heard.

5. Is gossip worse inside or outside the church?

Gossip is the same wherever you are.

6. Anything else you would like to add??

Gossip is very destructive. It hurts people. It can cause relationships to break and trust barriers to be shattered. It's best to keep your mouth shut even if you're itching to tell someone something what you've heard. Most of the information you hear is not accurate to begin with and it's best to walk away when gossip starts up in a group. It's best to not hear it and don't have to worry about knowing something you shouldn't.

It's for a Friend, who is conducting research for a Class
Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated

 

[Life_in_the_Word]

Gossip is hurtful, destructive and growing in popularity. Sadly our world is riddled with it...including the church. The church should be a place that people can seek refuge from such things but clearly it isn't that safe haven we all dream it to be. As the church we should be making every effort to extinguish this fire before it destroys further. How many people have been burnt and have walked away from Christ because of gossip within the Christian community?

 

[nowhereville]

1. How would you define gossip? Saying anything - good, bad or indifferent about someone who is not present while you are speaking.

2. Do you think that gossip is a problem in the church/community of faith? Absolutely.

3. Where do you draw the line? When does it become gossip? The minute anyone brings up someone who is not present. I instrust the person they need to go talk with that person.

4. What is your opinion of gossip in the church? it's rather like a cancer, based on pride.

5. Is gossip worse inside or outside the church? Sad to say they run neck and neck.

 

[TruthMiner]

1. How would you define gossip?

2. Do you think that gossip is a problem in the church/community of faith?

Whispering about another in a clandestine manner. It is a major problem.

3. Where do you draw the line? When does it become gossip?

If its two old ladies getting their jollies about talking about someone else's misfortunes then its wrong. If its two old ladies talking about something they seen (like the pastor going into a hotel with a woman) then it is wrong. If its two old ladies talking about the misfortune of their pastor last weekend when he broke his leg skiing then it is not wrong.

4. What is your opinion of gossip in the church?

Way too much of it.

5. Is gossip worse inside or outside the church?

Inside. The Christian churches win hands down.

6. Anything else you would like to add??

Paul says those who do it will not enter the Kingdom.

 

[JessicaC]

1. How would you define gossip?

I think that gossip is when you talk poorly about someone in their absence, or share information that you are not supposed to. Praising people is fine, but anything that is negative about someone is gossip to me.

2. Do you think that gossip is a problem in the church/community of faith?

It sure is... I know that I have certainly been guilty of that a lot.

3. Where do you draw the line? When does it become gossip?

A gage for myself is this... Would I say this to their face? Is this something that I would want someone saying about me in my absence? If the answer is no, then it helps me stop talking.

4. What is your opinion of gossip in the church?

I think the church has made it's fair share of mistakes in this area...It's more painful in the church, I feel, because we are supposed to be supporting each other... Accountability is great, but when confidence is broken, it gets really ugly, because of the expectations of those in a community of faith.

5. Is gossip worse inside or outside the church?

I think it is pretty equal

6. Anything else you would like to add??

I think that it definitely is something that girls struggle with. Girls tend to be really exclusive and gossip keeps that exclusive-ness going. It creates serious division, and more than that a lot of pain from both ends. Definitely not worth the cost...

Also, we are supposed to defend people in their absence because they aren't there to speak for themselves, so when someone is talking about someone poorly, we need to stick up for them and give them the benefit of the doubt.

 

[SurgeCurrent]

"Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter." (Ecc 10:20 KJV)

Gossip is very harmlful. As is most often the case, a bird of the air carries the matter and the gossipee (pardon my slang) hears the gossip about them and there is much hurt done. Abstain from it as much as you can, and forgive those that gossip about you.

Grace and Peace,
Chris

 

[Mskedi]

1. How would you define gossip?

Spreading information that has either been requested to be kept secret or that is negative about a person and is not being shared with the person it is about. It is always hurtful in nature.

2. Do you think that gossip is a problem in the church/community of faith?

I think some churches have more of a problem with this than others. I was unaware of it as a problem in the church I grew up in, very aware of it in the church I attended in college, and see it rarely in my current church. This, too, could have had to do with the life stages I was in while attending each church.

3. Where do you draw the line? When does it become gossip?

Gossip is something you wouldn't say in front of the person who it's about. If it's something you shared with that person or that person doesn't mind you saying, it's not gossip.

4. What is your opinion of gossip in the church?

It is at complete opposition for what the church should stand for.

5. Is gossip worse inside or outside the church?

I would say outside the church. Gossip seems prevalent in the workplace.

6. Anything else you would like to add??

Ummm... gossip sucks.

It's for a Friend, who is conducting research for a Class
Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated

 

[Joykins]

1. How would you define gossip?

Spreading rumors about people.

2. Do you think that gossip is a problem in the church/community of faith?

Yes

3. Where do you draw the line? When does it become gossip?

When you're talking negatively or don't know the facts.

4. What is your opinion of gossip in the church?

Evil and spiritually damaging.

5. Is gossip worse inside or outside the church?

It's the most insidious where people are evaluated by reputation. Also the gossip inside the church can have worse spiritual effects than that without (although without can be very, very destructive).

6. Anything else you would like to add??

Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,
Is the immediate jewel of their souls:
Who steals my purse steals trash; ’tis something, nothing;
’Twas mine, ’tis his, and has been slave to thousands;
But he that filches from me my good name
Robs me of that which not enriches him
And makes me poor indeed.

 

[Gal328]

1. How would you define gossip?

2. Do you think that gossip is a problem in the church/community of faith?

3. Where do you draw the line? When does it become gossip?

4. What is your opinion of gossip in the church?

5. Is gossip worse inside or outside the church?

6. Anything else you would like to add??

It's for a Friend, who is conducting research for a Class
Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated

There shouldn't be one, we shouldn't do it at all.