Editing Defamation (section)

====Slander====
Defined as attributing fault to another, when the slanderer knows they are [[innocence|innocent]]. It combines damaging another's reputation and lying.

According to the text, theologians say that the act of lying might not be grievous in itself, but advise mentioning it in [[confession]] to determine reparation methods. The important act is injuring a reputation (hence [[moralism|moralists]] do not consider slander distinct from detraction). The method of injury is negligible.

In a somewhat contradictory opinion, it is stated that there are circumstances where misdeeds can be lawfully exposed, but a lie is intrinsically [[evil]] and can never be justified.

Slander violates commutative justice, so the perpetrator must make [[restitution (theology)|restitution]]. [[Atonement]] seems achievable by [[wikt:retraction|retracting]] the false statement, which undoes the injury (even if this requires exposing the perpetrator as a liar). Compensation for the victim's losses may also be required.