The Common Psychology and Forms of Behavior in Ignorantism (2/6)

2- Flawed Manners Of Speaking

Speech helps people express their thoughts and emotions, their wishes and desires, and establish wide-ranging communication with others. In the Religion of the Ignorant, however, speech has become a means whereby the distorted mindset of that religion is revealed to the outside world. When they speak, adherents of Ignorantism reveal all their complexes, personality defects, psychological problems and mental flaws. By means of speech as well as by behavior, most try to give the impression that they are different than what they really are and that they are superior. In this section, we shall consider the speech of adherents of the Religion of the Ignorant in terms of style, content, attitude, and other characteristics.

The Behavioral Disorder of People Living by the Religion of the Ignorant: "flawed Manners and Pretension"

Artificial and Insincere Speech

Ignorantism is a religion of patterns. So long as people implement these patterns, they are popular and appreciated within society. Patterns of speech occupy an important place in human relations, particularly within this false religion. Speech in the Religion of the Ignorant takes place by the most appropriate patterns being selected and used in accordance with prevailing circumstances. Whether the individuals actually mean the words they utter is not relevant at all. Since there is a great difference between what they feel and what they communicate to the outside, members of Ignorantism fit the definition of hypocrites. Although hypocrisy is a source of deep shame for any normal person, those who live according to the Religion of the Ignorant are unaware even that they have fallen into a shameful position.

In Ignorantism, people learn to give the appearance of loving when they actually hate, of being uncaring when they actually love, of being sad when such is not so, of rejoicing when this is untrue, of laughing or crying when doing so is insincere, and of being astonished when they really feel no reaction at all. They also do all these things in light of the prevailing circumstances.

Since the people around them also possess the same mindsets, they see nothing amiss with falsity and insincerity, and regard them as natural. When their turn comes, they don't hesitate to display the same insincerity and false character. Various forms of insincere speech include:

Adopting an exaggerated style to attract greater attention when describing events,

Portraying something banal as something important, and something important as if it were banal,

Making it clear that one knows foreign languages by sprinkling one's speech with foreign words, even when perfectly adequate equivalents in the mother tongue are available,

Behaving as though one had considerable knowledge of the subject being discussed even though one has little actual familiarity with it, and adding something one may have heard about the subject to give the impression that one enjoys a wide mastery,

Displaying artificial and exaggerated reactions even though one is utterly unaffected by the subject under discussion, and uttering words that indicate condemnation, sorrow, agreement or support, even though one actually feels none of these. An example would be using parrot cries like, "I don't believe it!" or "I'm flabbergasted," even though one is not the least bit surprised.

Most of this is not sincerely felt. In fact, the listeners are usually well aware that these words are all false. What matters, however, is for these patterns to be used expertly. Insincerity and hypocrisy have become so normal in the Religion of the Ignorant that even if someone does speak honestly and appears sincere, that is referred to as something extraordinary. In circles that live by Ignorantism, people succeed in society to the extent to which they succeed in hypocrisy. Looking at a great many who have come to be admired in society, you can see their expertise at implementing these rules. Men use insincere speech as a means to further their business careers, and women as a means of showing off among family and acquaintances. Their husbands' positions, how their children are doing at school, their wealth, social relations and activities are all duly exaggerated out of all proportion. The following are examples of insincere speech:

Forced laughter at another person's jokes, because it would seem bold not to, or to play up to that person or to curry an advantage from him, even though one actually finds nothing funny at all; adopting an exaggeratedly arrogant style when angered, and using one's tone of voice to make that irritation apparent are among the behavioral disorders experienced by those who live by the religion of the ignorant.

The Behavioral Disorder of People Living by the Religion of the Ignorant:"Artificial Manners"

Hollow and Pointless Speech

In the Religion of the Ignorant, the most distinguishing feature of speech is its hollow, pointless nature. Speaking just for the sake of hearing one's own voice or for absolutely no reason at all has become a habit. Clichéd subjects that cannot possibly lead to any conclusion represent the basis of such conversations, whose subject matter is generally very wide-ranging. Having a chitchat, as it's termed, represents an important part of daily life in Ignorantism. Such conversations usually open using the same, tired formulae, such as "Nowhere else in the world would . . ." or "No other country would ever . . ." or "In the last 24 hours . . ."Then the discourse is enlarged on and expanded by saying, "If I were to rule," "We will never get anywhere," or "I taught them all they know." One of the most popular kinds of speech is aimed at familiar or unfamiliar ideas on all kinds of subjects. Talk of this kind never leads anywhere, and even if it does, never brings any benefit. It generally stems from a desire to give the impression that one possesses ideas, thoughts and thorough analyses.

Fruitless and Unwise Speech

In the Religion of the Ignorant, even subjects that need to be briefly discussed are made complex and irresolvable. Problems that could have been solved in a short time are prolonged for hours. Conversations turn into mutually entrenched positions, stubbornness and personality displays. Business conferences and residency meetings all stage such scenes. Lack of wisdom pervades at all times. It is impossible to express subjects in an intelligent, wise and rational form, because wisdom is a superior attribute that Allah gives only to those of His servants He selects. It is revealed in one verse of the Qur'an that:

Adherents of Ignorantism who lack the reason and wisdom revealed in the Qur'an are unable to explain in minutes, or even hours, a subject that could be summed up in a few sentences. Sometimes they prolong a subject capable of a very swift summary for several minutes, thus enjoying the full flavor of it. On television chat shows, problems that could be dismissed very quickly are debated for hours, with no definite conclusions ever reached. The following is revealed on this subject in the Qur'an:

In the Religion of the Ignorant, many words are spoken without ever touching on the essence of any subject. Although people speak a lot, they never actually say anything. They make even the simplest subjects very complex by unnecessary verbiage and meaningless connections. They seek to attract attention, to demonstrate the importance of their thoughts and ideas, and to demonstrate their knowledge or culture. Their own personality is raised on even vital issues, while the issue at hand is relegated to the background. To a considerable extent, features described in the Qur'an with the following verse manifest themselves in the speech in the religion of the ignorant:

To the above we might also add: everybody speaking at the same time, interrupting others, abandoning a subject halfway and turning to another that one considers to be more important, and involving oneself in every subject, appropriately or not, and whether or not one has any knowledge of it.

Thoughtless Speech

In the Religion of the Ignorant, thoughtlessness frequently manifests itself in conversation. Continuing speaking, unaware that the subject under discussion is of no interest for the listeners, forgetting what one has said and repeating it all over again, describing things that everyone knows as if they were terribly original, and prolonging matters even though everyone's time is limited are the most obvious examples of such thoughtlessness. Inappropriate and unfunny witticisms also reveal speech that's even more lacking in wisdom.

Tactlessness is one form of thoughtless speech. Uttering words that can easily be misunderstood, failing to grasp their implication and committing gaffes as one talks all fall into this category. Although there may generally be no deliberate intention to belittle or mock, offending others by words thoughtlessly uttered is a form of behavior peculiar to Ignorantism. Needlessly bringing up various material or physical flaws of people present, or failing to bear these deficiencies or handicaps in mind, may well offend those individuals. For example, bringing up such inappropriate matters as baldness, short stature, or lack of financial means in the presence of people suffering these afflictions, or making humiliating jokes about them, typify the thoughtlessness particular to the Religion of the Ignorant.

Disrespectful and Mocking Speech

Adopting a stubbornly insistent, argumentative style is another hallmark of Ignorantism. Raising one's voice is a method employed to dominate others and impose one's views on them.

Refusing to address people present, employing such terms as "him over there," addressing a person without looking at him, and interrupting are all ways of belittling the other party. Failing to answer or ignoring questions by pretending one has not heard, in order to give oneself a serious air is another means. Deliberately making someone repeat something one has heard perfectly well, pretending to misunderstand, and starting up a conversation with another person when someone else is speaking, making it clear that one is not listening to them, are other examples of being disrespectful. Mocking speech includes making it clear that one is not interested in what someone else is saying, or despises it by adopting an authoritarian tone.

Speaking on the Telephone

Using a tone or style different from the one usually employed is another feature of the Religion of the Ignorant. Pronouncing "Hello" in different insincere ways according to one's status at the time—such as adopting an ultra-serious tone of voice if one enjoys high rank—is one such example.

Other behaviors to be encountered in Ignorantism when speaking on the telephone include finding the courage to say things that one would hesitate to say in person; sitting anxiously by the phone when waiting for a call from a person one is hoping to benefit from, yet at other times only answering after letting the phone ring for a long time.

Sending silent messages to onlookers by rolling one's eyes when speaking with someone, using artificial terminology to introduce oneself, slamming down the receiver to make it plain that one is angry, making insincere compliments to the other party and then disparaging or mocking them after hanging up are also peculiar to the Religion of the Ignorant.

Backbiting and Gossip

Surat al-Qalam, verses 10-13, describes the banal and vulgar behavior displayed by members of Ignorantism:

The words backbiter and slandermonger indicate a form of behavior frequently encountered in the Religion of the Ignorant. Adherents of the satanic religion treat people well to their face, and then criticize them behind their backs. Nobody takes any interest in improving people's deficiencies or mistaken ideas. In fact, any need to enlighten others is seldom felt. Any kind of mistake becomes the butt of mockery or gossip.

Gossip, literally a source of entertainment in Ignorantism, occupies an important place in social life. Although one would expect this poor character trait to be criticized and rejected, it is in fact encouraged in society. The Qur'an's message on this subject is as follows:

The Behavioral Disorder of People Living by the Religion of the Ignorant: "Vain Talk"