Is there an equivalent of lashon hara in Christianity?

[MrsSchadenfreude]

Basically "lashon hara" is derogatory speech about another (like gossip but worse - almost defamation of character).

I ask because someone I work with is doing this about another colleague. This person is a practising Christian (and makes sure everyone knows about this!) and I want to be able to pull her up on what she is doing as it being "unChristian". Sorry, I'm not explaining very well, but this is causing great problems in the workplace - not just for the person being defamed/bitched about, but it has wider repercussions. I'm in a position to do something about this, and I think if I appeal to her "Christian" nature, I am likely to get better results.

I personally wouldn't relate it to her own religion.

If you want to do so, though, you could back it up with the Golden Rule; 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you', which is attributed to Jesus, reported in the Gospel of St Matthew. But it's hardly unique to Christianity.

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Exodus 20:16

Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour. Deuteronomy 5:20

"Judge not that ye be not judged.
For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged,
and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye,
but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye;
and behold, a beam is in thine own eye.
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye;
and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."

Matthew 7:1-5

MrsSchadenfreude, I've heard a Christian priest tell the story about the feathers/pillow (trying to collect them back from the wind...) - well, in the film Doubt, a priest tells the story, anyway... I thought the story was a 'lashon hara' allegory, but seemingly it resonates with Christians too...
Why not just explain the concept to your colleague?

Thanks, y'all. I like the "do unto others" but may also just explain the concept of lashon hara. And point out that Jesus was, well, Jewish.

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one?s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God?s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

James 3:3-12

15?Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep?s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

21?Not everyone who says to me, ?Lord, Lord,? will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, ?Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?? 23Then I will tell them plainly, ?I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!?

Matthew 7: 15-23

19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

1 John 4: 19-29

All of these scriptures and many more warn Christians about gossiping and speaking badly of others. It is something that we should avoid completely.

There is more in the scriptures - much, much more - about gossiping than there is about homosexuality. It is clearly regarded as a sin, and something that we should try our best not to do, something with bad consequences not just for the person who is gossiped about but also for the people who are doing the gossiping.

I have to say that i wouldn't use so much religion in this conversation. the word 'wrong' ought to be enough tbh.

Thanks, Joan. I was thinking of using religion simply because she bangs on so much about the importance of being a Christian to her, and how often she goes to church. I just thought it might make her think more about her actions, rather than just saying it is wrong.

Thank you all - it's very helpful.

My feeling is that asking her to refrain because she is causing you to commit lashon hara, by making you a party to the gossip, might work better. If necessary, you can then ask her what is the nearest equivalent in Christianity...

She may believe that what she is saying about the other person is true, in which case, there are guidelines about how to discuss someone's sin

Interesting. The Islamic equivalent of lashon hara is gheera (back-biting) and it is compared to eating someone's flesh, I.e nasty and unkind.

James 1 verse 26 "if anyone thinks they are religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this persons religion is worthless. also in james verses 5- 12 extracts the tongue is a little member ( part of body) ye it boats of great things like a small fire setting a forest ablaze .... with it we bless our Lord and father ... and curse people who are made in the likeness of GoD my brothers these things ought not to be...."

in another place it alos p[uts gossipers and slanders in the same category as adulteres and murders because once a reputation is damaged even with apologies etc very hard to put back slanderous gossip is serious sin