Scandal Begets a Society That Devalues Human Beings, by Susan Ciancio

Merriam-Webster defines scandal as “malicious or defamatory gossip,” a “disgrace,” or “a circumstance or action that offends propriety or established moral conceptions.” Those are probably the definitions most people are familiar with. But they barely touch upon the true meaning of scandal and the consequences of it.

“Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil,” states the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “The person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor’s tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death.”

In other words, our actions have serious consequences for us and for others. This definition helps us see our responsibility to become moral leaders and to live the truths of our faith. …