Page 58 - The Religion Of The Ignorant

THE RELIGION OF THE IGNORANT

For example, in the Religion of the Ignorant, it is exceedingly
humiliating for anyone to be told about his behavior, moral values,
character or gestures by another party. That is why in the society of
the ignorant, you'll generally never see anyone asking anyone else's
opinion or seeking their advice.
It is almost impossible, for instance, to hear such questions as,
"Is there anything in my character you don't like? Can you see any
flaws in the way I laugh, or walk, or in my facial expressions? Do
you have any advice to give me about my personality? How could I
be easier to get on with or more beloved?" or, "What do you think of
my taste in clothes? Have you any advice you could give me as one
listens?" That is in total contradiction of Ignorantism for someone to
seek to improve himself by seeking advice from others. Everyone
regards himself as the best, the most cultured, the most refined and
the most intelligent. Even if he knows he has flaws and needs to
work on himself, he'll never want to let those around him know.
The Religion of the Ignorant is completely against seeking ad-
vice and criticism. Consider, for example, a doctor or engineer
who's an expert in his own field. If a client says that he has received
a different opinion from another professional, the answer will in-
evitably be along the lines of, "In that case, go to him." Experts in
their own field are generally reluctant to take advice from their col-
leagues and want clients to act on their own recommendations.
Under this belief, it's impossible for someone to take kindly to
criticism from anyone younger—a nephew, for example. Practically
no young person can make any suggestions about the character of
his aunt or uncle. A youngster who wants some relative to be more
patient, tolerant or more considerate will likely meet with a mock-
ing, indifferent or angry reaction. People who answer, "I am not
about to take advice from someone your age," imagine they need no

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