Injustice in Words: Derision

Derision is “making fun of a person.” It is”laughing a person to scorn.” In its serious form, thatis, when it is not a mere bit of banter, or a light joke, it seeks to shame a man.

Derision, when it is a jest or half-jest, may be only as light offense and a venial sin, or perhaps no sin at all. But inits full character, as a serious and unjust attempt to bring shame on a person, derision is a mortal sin. It seems that derision, as a grave sin, is more evil than reviling.