I wish to share some serious reflections on a growing crisis in our modern society.
We are witnessing a trend where a majority of individuals, even when their conscience tells them a piece of news or an opinion is true, choose to turn a blind eye to it. Even more distressing is the rising tendency to boldly support and justify things that their inner voice knows to be false.
Why does humanity exhibit such hypocrisy today?
Let us examine the reasons behind this, supported by two world-renowned parables.
The Challenges Facing the Truth
Our conscience is the ultimate court—either divine or natural—residing within us. When we suppress the truth that stands clear in that court, it is usually due to three factors:
Fear of the Majority: The dread of being isolated or "canceled" for standing by the truth.
Self-Interest: The temporary gains achieved by aligning with a popular lie.
Echo Chambers: The urge to blindly believe whatever our chosen social or political groups dictate.
To clarify this, let’s look at two illustrative stories.
1. Salt in the Pudding: A Lesson in Pretense
Once, at a grand feast, a cook accidentally added salt instead of sugar to the pudding (payasam). The first guest who tasted it realized it was salty and bitter, but fearing he would look foolish or offend the host, he exclaimed, "How sweet! I have never tasted such delicious pudding!" Following his lead, every other guest repeated the same lie. They betrayed their own senses to compete in praising a falsehood. Today, aren't we seeing many "salty puddings" in society being defended as "sweet" with the same desperate enthusiasm?
2. The Poisoned Well and the 'Mad' King
In another tale, a wizard poisoned a city’s public well, declaring that whoever drank from it would lose their mind. Every citizen drank the water and went mad. Only the King and his Minister, who drank from a private source, remained sane. However, the majority—the mad citizens—rebelled against the King, shouting, "Look! Our King has gone mad! He does not speak or act like us!" Eventually, to keep his throne and his life, the King was forced to drink from the poisoned well too.
Today, those who speak the truth are often branded as "mad" or "out of touch." To belong to the majority, we frequently sacrifice our own reason and sanity.
Perspective from Faiths
Acting against one's conscience is not merely a social compromise; it is a direct opposition to the divine order.
Christianity: Hiding the truth is seen as the way of Satan, the "father of lies." Conscience is regarded as the voice of God within man.
Hinduism: Sathya (Truth) and Dharma (Righteousness) are the pillars of life. Betraying one’s conscience is viewed as Asuric (demonic) behavior and a path toward Adharma.
Islam: Those who say one thing while believing another are called Munafiqs (hypocrites). The innate sense of right and wrong (Fitra) is a gift from the Almighty that must not be corrupted.
The refusal to listen to the voice of conscience and the "courage" to support falsehoods signal the moral decay of a society. Whose side are we on? Are we with the truth, or with the convenient lies manufactured by the crowd?
A human being experiences true peace only when they live without wounding their own sense of justice.
Let us strive to be individuals who refuse to sacrifice the truth for the sake of the majority.
(Please share your thoughts and comments below if you have the courage to uphold truthful voices publicly supported by your inner conscience)
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