Open Response Survey Question

We don't like having our faults pointed out. We say it is about trust. We say that person violated our trust. But more likely it is about us and our shame. About us and our desire to serve ourselves. When someone tells on us. It violates our desire for "self".

 

That is hard to say without a specific example. One may "tattle" because they feel their conscience has been violated. Such as irresponsible waste management, corruption, harassment, etc....

Others may "tattle" to win favor of peers or superiors. Tattle to advance themselves in life. We tend to lump all "tattlers" into this category, which is probably unfair.

 

Motivation is key. I have a four and a six year old. When they're getting along, they'll get into mischief together. Or maybe one will speak up that what they're doing is wrong.

But when one is mad at the other? Then it's "Mom! DAD! XXXX is doing XXXX!!!"

 

A lot depends on whether the 'tattling' is 'up front' or 'coming in the back door' on someone. Kinda like reporting a post here on the BB, I consider it the right thing to do to tell the offender 'up front' either to stop the offending, or that you are indeed reporting the post.

Also, 'snitching' has become an out for the first tattler to save their hides by turning on their outlaw comrades when the heat is on. First one to 'cooperate' gets the reduced sentence or outright immunity.

"If you can't do the time, don't do the crime". Baretta

 

My observation is that we do not have a distain for tattletales. I do personally but that is not the norm. While local churches worry about lottery tickets, dancing, and alcohol in moderation, which are not sins, they give a wink and a nod to gossip, which is another name for tattletale, and that is without a doubt a sin. James compares the tongue to the fires of hell.

You are correct. I despise a tattletale. IMO, mind your own business, and if you do not have something positive to say, say nothing.

When I hear, did you hear what so and so did, I take two possibilities. One, they want to go with me to restore the person to the Lord, or two they want to get their jollies off gossip. Guess what it is 99% of the time? I just walk away.

 

I was reared to "mind my own business." Tattle tales are not minding their own business.

 

There's a point where it is your duty as a citizen to cease 'minding your own business' and report evil doing to the proper authorities.

 

And that about sums it up in a nutshell.

 

Tattletale=Busybody

There's the neighborhood watch and then there's the neighborhood gestapo reporting every grass blade out of place and harassing folks trying to go about their daily business.

 

Best answer so far.