Comments on: Blogosphere: Gossip Or News?

By: bobby

bobby — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:48:20 +0000

Lots of great thoughts here. I think it’s important to recognize that while many commenting here are people close to the situation at hand, for me the question goes beyond this situation. Everyday we post information about our lives and those lives constantly intersect with others.
I hear the thought that these are our blogs and don’t read if you don’t like, but unfortunately it’s not always that easy. I’ve always felt that we have to use a bit of wisdom in what we blog as it is not a personal diary. It is out there for the world to see.
I think I would differ in both directions from different people here as to where that line is. But if we really believe that as Christ-followers we are commanded not to gossip, I think it’s pretty important that we think about what exactly gossip looks like.
Like I said, I love the thoughts y’all are throwing out. Any others?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 08:19:35 +0000

Great comments. Just wanted to clarify a few things. 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 never says a name. It never points out a family. It gives direction for an entire church body that has lost its way to deal with someone still part of that body that is lost in sin. It doesn’t discuss the personal hurt they felt but just practical ways to correct a bad situation. As believers, as I assume most readers of this blog are, our goal should be in healing and restoration, not in asserting our freedom of speech, which can damage and destroy.

By: Aunt Linda

Aunt Linda — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 04:09:27 +0000

oooohhhh, I hate typos…….that would be who you are asking!

By: Aunt Linda

Aunt Linda — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 04:07:39 +0000

Apparently the answer to your question depends on who you asking.

By: Megan

Megan — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 03:53:04 +0000

Why would your blog not be the place to share your feelings on a topic? Many people have many different reasons for having a blog. There are several people that use their blog as a diary to their life. If something interests them or effects them they can put those feelings into words and others can get a peak into the life of that individual if they so choose. If someone wants to express their feelings through THEIR blog thats their right. If you don’t like it, don’t read it!

By: Jeannie Cooper

Jeannie Cooper — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 01:16:56 +0000

Good Questionâ€¦ Personally, I have intentionally avoided commenting on anything that is out there. But that isnâ€™t because I feel those two individuals deserve to have their rights of privacy protected. My decision is more based on the extended family of those individuals. I wouldnâ€™t want to put something out there publicly that may potentially be hurtful to the family members of those that love them despite the choices they are making.
That being saidâ€¦ I believe that being held publicly accountable for the choices you make, simply goes with the territory of choosing to live your life in a public role. Also, I believe that when you take on position of leadership or authority, it is natural and right, to be held to a higher standard. I think of people in the politics or the media.

By: Ryan Lipert

Ryan Lipert — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 01:07:36 +0000

The question of gossip vs. news is entirely subjective. What one would argue as news, another might argue is gossip.
It all depends on what your intentions are when spreading the “information”. If you spread the information as a means of damaging or hurting, then you clearly have bad intentions, and I would argue you are gossiping. If you intentions are counter to that, intentions to encourage and build up, then you have good intentions, and I would argue you are not gossiping.
All this to say: It is clearly unclear. Judging peoples intentions should be left up to the one true Judge.

By: Michelle Lasch

Michelle Lasch — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:38:29 +0000

I feel strongly that blogs and the comments section are a place to share yourself and your feelings. The information is personal and yours to share. (Can you gossip about yourself?) Details which are irrelevant to what you are going through are clearly gossip. I intentionally left those details out of my blog post and left others with a “What’s going on?” feeling. Sorry. The details were not mine to share.
However, sin has consequences. One consequence is that sometimes, the whole world knows… and discusses it. In fact, Jesus says whatever is hidden will come to light. Not that it is a good thing to reveal another’s sin to the world, but “your sin will find you out…” And sometimes, with the public knowledge of one’s sin, innocents are further hurt. Very sad, but it’s more consequences of sin.
I like the previous comment about the man sleeping with his father’s wife. (Doesn’t God know that CHILDREN read the Bible?) I’m sure many wished that particular incident had remained in-house… but God put it in the Bible. Why? For titillation or for an example of the very serious nature of sin… Two thousand years later, we’re still talking about it.

By: Julie Tyler

Julie Tyler — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:32:43 +0000

Although I was aware of the situation, I hadn’t yet read your post about it. After reading this one about gossip vs. news, I was expecting some sort of rant or venting that was totally out of character for you, Bobby. Instead, I read about a community that is hurting but is trusting God and loving each other through this. You put into tender words the feelings that many are sharing, while steering the focus toward Christ. Well said, Bobby.

By: Ed

Ed — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:16:56 +0000

Oops…I meant to say “naming the man who did this.”