Fatal Detraction: The Sin No One Talks About

Aletelia ^ | March 9, 2016 | DEACON GREG KANDRA

[NYer]

Every now and then I’m reminded of just how clever Satan can be, especially during Lent.

Consider, for example, a pernicious little sin that seems to have taken root and grown in the age of social media: detraction. I’ve been seeing it more and more. Nobody really talks about it or the harm it inflicts — though the pope has stressed, often, the inherent evil of its close cousin,  gossip. (The pontiff has even compared gossip to terrorism.)

So what’s the big deal? Let me count the ways.

First, the catechism teaches that detraction is a sin against the eighth commandment:

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.

2478 To avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbor’s thoughts, words, and deeds in a favorable way:

Every good Christian ought to be more ready to give a favorable interpretation to another’s statement than to condemn it. But if he cannot do so, let him ask how the other understands it. And if the latter understands it badly, let the former correct him with love. If that does not suffice, let the Christian try all suitable ways to bring the other to a correct interpretation so that he may be saved.

2479 Detraction and calumny destroy the reputation and honor of one’s neighbor. Honor is the social witness given to human dignity, and everyone enjoys a natural right to the honor of his name and reputation and to respect. Thus, detraction and calumny offend against the virtues of justice and charity.

And the media, we are reminded, bear a special responsibility:

2494 The information provided by the media is at the service of the common good. Society has a right to information based on truth, freedom, justice and solidarity:

The proper exercise of this right demands that the content of the communication be true and — within the limits set by justice and charity — complete. Further, it should be communicated honestly and properly. This means that in the gathering and in the publication of news, the moral law and the legitimate rights and dignity of man should be upheld. 

2495 “It is necessary that all members of society meet the demands of justice and charity in this domain. They should help, through the means of social communication, in the formation and diffusion of sound public opinion.” Solidarity is a consequence of genuine and right communication and the free circulation of ideas that further knowledge and respect for others.

2497 By the very nature of their profession, journalists have an obligation to serve the truth and not offend against charity in disseminating information. They should strive to respect, with equal care, the nature of the facts and the limits of critical judgment concerning individuals. They should not stoop to defamation.

No less a figure than the Rev. John A. Hardon, SJ, had this to say about the sin of detraction:

Another person’s good reputation belongs to him, and we may not do it injury by revealing, without proportionately grave reason, what we know is true about him.

Detraction is consequently a sin against justice because it deprives a man or woman of what they ordinarily value more than riches. Socrates’ statement that the way to gain a good reputation is to endeavour to be what you desire to appear highlights the effort required to acquire a good name. All of this, more even than accumulated wealth, can be destroyed by a single criminal act of detraction.

The seriousness of the sin committed will mainly derive from the gravity of the fault or limitation disclosed. But it will also depend on the dignity of the person detracted and the harm done to him and others by revealing something that is hidden and whose disclosure lowers (if it does not ruin) his standing in the public eye.

Not unlike the restitution called for in stealing, detraction demands reparation as far as possible to the injured person’s reputation. Often such reparation is next to impossible to make, either because of the number of people informed or the complexity of the situation. But this merely emphasizes the warning of Scripture to “Be careful of your reputation, for it will last you longer than a thousand hoards of gold. A good life lasts a certain number of days, but a good reputation lasts forever.” (Si. 41:12-16)

During this time of penance and prayer, it’s worth asking ourselves whether we have, knowingly or not, been guilty of detraction. Have we intentionally taken away the good name of another? Have we sought to damage someone’s reputation (even if we thought they had it coming)?  Have we entertained the dark joy of gossip?

During Lent, it’s important to remember that chocolate isn’t the only temptation we need to resist.  But other enticements can be just as alluring and unhealthy — and far more damaging to our souls. During this Year of Mercy, we are called to extend the hand of mercy to our brothers and sisters and see more and more their inherent dignity.

It’s something we need to add to others — not detract.

[NYer]

Catholic ping!

[ebb tide]

Consider, for example, a pernicious little sin that seems to have taken root and grown in the age of social media: detraction.

Deacon Kandra is apparently unaware of:

The Pope Francis Little Book of Insults

Every one of his detractions have been against his fellow Catholics, whether they be traditional Catholics, large families, "rosary-counters", etc. Not once has he detracted atheists, muslims, Jews, schismatics or heretics.

[hinckley buzzard]

Here is Martin Luther on the 8th Commandment:

We should so fear and love God that we may not deceitfully belie, betray, slander, or defame our neighbor, but defend him, [think and] speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything.

[ebb tide]

We should so fear and love God that we may not deceitfully belie, betray, slander, or defame our neighbor, but defend him, [think and] speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything.

Here's some quotes of Luther on his "neighbors":

The Luther Insult Generator

[redgolum]

Flash backs to Confirmation Questioning. We had to memorize the whole Catechism!

[ebb tide]

We had to memorize the whole Catechism!

Was is it really that tough of a task for you?

[johniegrad]

There is a related sin that we see very often here on FR. There is a sort of voyeurism that involves a perverse sense of curiosity about things not directly related to our own salvation like being critical of authority and searching for anything that would support our position. It assumes a sort of greater knowledge based in pride that is used to criticize others from a position of false superiority. It is totally lacking in insight and seeks to denigrate the other.

[ebb tide]

There is a sort of voyeurism that involves a perverse sense of curiosity about things not directly related to our own salvation like being critical of authority and searching for anything that would support our position.

What exactly is "our position"? And should not a good Catholic be concerned not only about his own salvation, but that of others, including Catholic authorities?

[HarleyD]

There’s only ONE sin that no one wants to talk about????

[Repent and Believe]

In an attempt to not offend in the area of detraction people leave themselves wide open to other serious errors, perhaps due to lack of wisdom and spiritual acuity.

An example of this is when former president Bush called Muslim a religion of peace and that there are just some extremists that offend.

As a result the Muslims have implanted in Bush’s very position one of their own to sabotage this country.

With lack of spiritual acuity people wrongly accept and acclaim as popes: heretics, and along with practicing multiple other errors, the fruit is the loss of many souls.

There is a time and a place for exposing evil acts of those who assert themselves as leader, as when Jesus called the Jewish leaders whitewashed sepulchers, for example.

[Biggirl]

In other words, being fearful of speaking the truth.