A Primer On The Eighth Commandment
This primer on the 8th Commandment is based off of The Explanation to the Eighth Commandment in the Large Catechism. It has been formatted by Pr. Matthew Lorfeld. Below you will find the content of the flow chart listed in numbered points:
- Should I say _____ about my neighbor?
- Is it true?
- No: If it isn't blatantly obvious. This is a lie. No you shouldn't.
- Yes: Move on
- Are you being called as a witness?
- Yes: Then you may give a true witness when called upon
- No: Move on
- Are you called to be a judge, pastor, or parent of this person?
- Yes: You are under obligation to rebuke and punish evil
- No: Move on
- Do you know of this sin for yourself as a witness or victim? Or did you hear about it from someone else?
- No, I heard about it from someone else
- You are to keep it to yourself
- Yes, I know it for myself
- Move on
- Is the matter public? (A matter is public if a person has been found guilty by those given the vocation of judge. For example being guilty in the court of law or excommunicated in the Church (following Matthew 18). Another example of public matter is public preaching and teaching)
- No: This matter should be brought before those given to judge
- Yes: Move on
- So, are you sure it is public?
- No: This matter should be brought before those given to judge
- Yes: You may tell another of this in order to protect or warn that individual. However, if you are simply telling this in order to delight in another's disgrace... well then, you are breaking the 8th Commandment.
To learn more on this subject, check out the blog post titled, "Politics 101." I would especially recommend the document on the Karpman Drama Triangle.
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