Do you speak ill of the dead?

Question

....and do you think there's a karma comeback for those who do? .......maybe it's my catholic upbringing (hold the holy slams please) but it really bothers me when I hear people say something derogatory about someone who has passed away.

TURTLE - i connected my catholic upbringing to not wanting to hear derogatory remarks about the dead, not karma and certainly not "touting" it.

scroll back. you read too much into it.

Answer 1

I certainly don't believe in speaking ill of the dead, but I also believe we should be honest about those who have passed away. Shakespeare said it best in Julius Caeser with Mark Antony "The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones;"
As for Karma, I always trust if I feel good (and I don't mean good for myself, but good for what I've done) about something then I figure it's the right thing.

Answer 2

No, I won't and will never do so since we all are mortal and thus need to learn how to respect and honor the dead. It's always a good manner of educated etiquette appreciated by his/her relatives, family, cousins, etc. As for the karma you mentioned, I think when the time comes, those derogatory people will face theirs themselves.

Answer 3

It's really silly & wasted to speak ill of the dead. If you think they were a rotten person, bonk 'em while they're alive. I'm not a Catholic, but I absolutely can't see any "reason" to bad mouth someone who is dead. What's the point of it? What does it accomplish? It's a false premise to say you aren't being "truthful" if you don't. Think whatever "pleases" you. Period.

Answer 4

To say something unnecessarily mean about a deceased person (to trash-talk about them) is not right, because they have no opportunity to defend themselves. This is wrong for the same reason that trash-talk in someone's absence is wrong- they're not there to defend themselves. To do this to the deceased is worse, though, because they can't even hear about the trash-talk and defend themselves at a later time.

However, it is also not right to expect people to lie about a person because they're deceased. If someone who happens to be dead did something very wrong or lacked some positive characteristic, it is not obligatory to lie about it because they're no longer living. It is best to opt for the "If you have nothing nice to say, then say nothing" option if you can, but if someone asks you about a deceased person and you cannot speak honestly about them without speaking ill, then it is not bad form to speak ill- after all, a person is not exempt from being held accountable for their actions just because they are no longer alive. If a person did not want their legacy to be a negative one, they ought to have lived the kind of life that wouldn't leave a negative one.

Answer 5

Honestly, some people die that have lived a vicious and cruel life. I refuse to speak well of murders, child molestors and so on.

Death cannot always give somone grace and forgiveness. Yes I will say what I feel if they are living or gone.

I have no beliefs in karma.

Answer 6

I speak honestly of the dead, and I guess sometimes that can be perceived of as "ill". I get irritated when people die and suddenly he/she becomes a saint that has done no wrong. Dying doesn't make someone immune to criticism, especially criticism that is well-earned.

I especially think it is important to be truthful about someone's actions in life because we are supposed to not only learn from our own actions, but the actions of others as well. Speaking only false good (or saying nothing at all) is not being honest about the reality of that person's life, and by glossing over it, we are excusing bad behavior.

Answer 7

As long as you only speak the truth, and you acknoledge their good traits, I see no problem with making derogatory remarks about the deceased. If they ask for forgiveness, God give it to them. That does not mean that they led a perfect life, nor does it mean that they did no harm to others while they were living.

Answer 8

If someone's dead, then they're DEAD. They can't hear you. Since when does Catholicism tout KARMA? Have they finally crossed the line into fraternalism / spiritualism / new age?

I only speak ill of my dead father, in the hopes that he truly WILL burn in eternal Hell-fire.

Answer 9

I respect whatever beliefs you may have, regardless of my lack of religious belief. However, one should not speak ill of the dead. Unless this person was an absolute terror to humanity in general, bad things should not be said. It should also be noted, and pondered, that wouldn't you rather have people speaking ill of you after you have passed, rather than have no one say anything of you at all?

Answer 10

If the topic comes up, sure I do. If someone asks me what I think if Nixon, I'll tell them he was a criminal. Any other answer would be dishonest. There is no karma, there is no reward or punishment for any action except by other humans while you are alive.