An Anonymous Entry sent by E-Mail

The real ugliness of the situation at Columbus Ballet began once the anonymous letter was sent out by several women. Not only sent out to the families but to Mr. Herriott’s new place of work, trying to ruin his reputation in his own home community. Nobody can judge people fairly except God, for He alone judges with perfect knowledge, certainty, and compassion. God is merciful because He is all-knowing and all-wise. St. James says, “There is one lawgiver and judge: He who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you that you judge your neighbor?”

The board was taken aback by the outcry of the parents in the meetings, especially two individuals and they have been working to defend their decisions they made for the ballet. It is time for them to stop the inuendos and the ear whisperings about Mr. Herriott to all the parents; after all, he is gone and cannot defend himself.

A person’s good name is his most valuable possession. The Scriptures say, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.” Every man has a right to his good name. That right remains as long as a person’s faults are not public. To invade that right is to commit an injustice. Reputation is injured not only by harming the character of another but also by exaggerating another’s faults. The fact that you know another’s weakness does not justify you in broadcasting that weakness. The fact that what you say may be true does not absolve you from guilt in the manner of unjust and uncharitable talk.

To exaggerate another’s faults, or to give out as certain what is uncertain or doubtful, is related to SLANDER. The words, “they say” often serve as an introduction to the most poisonous lies. The evils that follow slander are numberless. Slanderous talk is all too welcome, and it makes the rounds from mouth to mouth, ruining the reputation of its victim and sometimes causing them considerable harm even in temporal matters. Slander is a sin against JUSTICE, CHARITY, and TRUTH, because it violates not only the honor due to another, but also, the honor that he has rightly earned by his moral character and conduct.

Slander is a verdict of guilty pronounced in the absence of the accused, with closed doors, without defense or appeal by a disinterested and unprejudiced judge. The worst feature of slander is that the offense can hardly ever be made good. “When we injure others, what else do we do but scatter dust into the air, which blinds our eyes, so that we see less of truth, the more evil we speak about others?”

Only when the talking stops is every one going to be able to move on. And there is a lot of forgiving to be done before the good things begin again. I, for one, have begun to do just that.