By definition, a lie is anything that doesn't correspond with objective truth. No matter how self-deceived a person is, or if they're simply repeating a lie (gossip), if it doesn't have a basis in real fact, it is a lie, plain and simple.

No matter how hard you promise (which only makes lies stronger, as the truth needs no defense), no matter how hard you believe (go stand in the road and scream you don't believe in trucks), it's still a lie.

People that gossip by spreading lies are to be pitied, you are the one ultimately responsible for speaking only what you know to be true, and be open to being challenged and corrected.

All of us.. all of us.. have got to turn on our bullshit detectors at the individual level and use some actual fucking discernment.