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Baha'is are forbidden gossip or backbiting because this is considered on of the most unkind, indeed savage, acts that one human being can inflict on another. (67:1) "...For the tongue is a smouldering fire, and excess of speech a deadly poison. Material fire consumeth the body, whereas the fire of the tongue devoureth both heart and soul. The force of the former lasteth but for a time, whilst the effects of the latter endure a century. (67:2) "Backbiting quencheth the light of the heart, and extinguisheth the life of the soul." (Baha'u'llah) (67:3) "Remember above all the teachings of Baha'u'llah concerning gossip and unseemly talk about others. Stories repeated about others are seldom good. A silent tongue is safest. Even good may be harmful if spoken at the wrong time or to the wrong person." ('Abdul-Baha) (67:4) Gossip can only thrive where there is an audience. It is therefore incumbent on a Baha'i not to listen to gossip as well as not to speak it.
(67:5)
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