The Grapevine: Rumour and Gossip, downfall of society?

Picture this scene in an office:

Dave: 'Have you heard the latest? She's having ANOTHER one!!'
Jill: 'Really?'
Dave: 'That's five she's got, FIVE!! She can't take care of the other four, what's she going to do now she's got five?!!'

Your answer to this should be:

'What the hell has it got to do with you how many kids she's got, shut up and mind your own business!'

or

Dave: 'Did you hear what he did, he did you know, that's what I heard from someone I trust, he did!!'
Steven: 'Really? He's in so much trouble now, so much trouble!'

Your answer to this should be:

'Were you there when it happened? No. Were you a fly on the wall when it was discussed? No. Do you know for certain? No. Well then, shut up and concentrate on your own problems.'

These responses wouldn't win you any friends, it wouldn't win you any admirers, but you should say it anyway.

There is something in society named 'The Grapevine', it's basically a Trojan horse, something that causes so much trouble it should be burnt. It is filled with rumour, speculation, gossip and scum. It's like a game of Chinese whispers, the information is twisted around, misheard, misconstrued and misinterpreted. Reputations are destroyed in seconds by this parasite, lives are damaged and people are hurt.

There is a fantastic quote from a book you believe in, a book you live your life by, a book that as a young boy you learnt to rely on, it says this:

'Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?' Matthew 7 Versus 1-3.

If people have nothing positive and constructive to say about each other, don't say anything. If it comes to the point where they have to be prying into other people's lives in order to gain some amusement or sense of self worth, then they need to take up a hobby, play sport or go back to bed.

Next time you open your mouth to engage in rumour or gossip, you'll think twice, because all it takes are a few misplaced words for someone to be hurt, it's wrong and it stinks, and that you say to others: 'Grow up, get a hobby and look at the log in your own eye before you look at the speck in your fellow man's.'

If people dealt with their own business and didn't get involved in other people's, the world be a much nicer place.

On a more positive note: Come On England!! Three Lions Roar!!