Page 20 - The Evil Called Mockery

18 THE EVIL CALLED MOCKERY

him/her about it. The people they mock display exactly the same
moral defect, for they also mock anyone they can when the opportu-
nity presents itself. In other words, it is as if these people have es-
tablished a kind of tacit acceptance of this behavior. When they are
mocked, they try to deflect the mockery by laughing louder than
those who are laughing at them. Even when they are deeply hurt,
they try to hide it, because they think that if it's realized by others
that they are hurt it would be demeaning for them.
In addition to this, the unbelievers do not shy away from point-
ing out, sniggering at, and doing their best to mock even those who
are physically handicapped. They do not retreat from this disgrace-
ful behavior even when the handicapped person is fully aware of
what is happening. Some people mock other people's clothing, hair-
styles, ways of speaking, accents, occupations, and lifestyles as a
form of entertainment. As we said earlier, they do this with the sole
intention of satisfying their own pride, preventing others from
being praised, and belittling them.

Mockery:
Ignorant Cruelty in Everyday Life
In societies that are far removed from religion, mockery spreads
among young people, starting in the middle and high school years.
For example, a talented or attractive student arrives at a school from
another city. Due to their immoral attitudes, most of the other stu-
dents will try to hide their jealousy by mocking him/her and doing
their best to find his/her weaknesses and regard his/her good aspects
as defects. For example, if he has straight hair they call him "brush
head," or if she is tall they liken her to a giraffe and give her an insult-
ing nickname. Through their mockery, they try to persuade every-
body else to regard the newcomer as small and somehow inferior.