Page 86 - The Religion Of The Ignorant

THE RELIGION OF THE IGNORANT

ing out for one another is equally unexceptional. Outside school, a
spirit of unity against the prevailing environment forms, although
between classes or different groups in the same class, there is unre-
strained competition.
The custom of Ignorantism, whereby people are classified ac-
cording to beneficial interests, is shaped during high school years.
Groups in high schools are bound together by mutual interests.
These groups are generally formed by youngsters from families of
similar income levels, students from similar socio-economic circles,
diligent students or lazy students. The class as a whole unites only
in the face of other classes or against the teachers.
Attitudes welcomed in the Religion of the Ignorant are moral
defects such as opportunism and arrogance, rather than virtues in-
dicated in the Qur'an, such as modesty, honesty and submission to
Allah. This distorted logic first develops in high school, where stu-
dents will be popular because of their wealth, attractiveness or "atti-
tude." The way they walk, dress, speak and move become the
fashion and are imitated by others. High schools always have their
own styles of walking, laughing and dressing. The classic style is a
blasé air, an insolent facial expression caring nothing for what is
around it, a bag on one shoulder, and a rolling, ponderous, indiffer-
ent gait. Laughing loudly and swearing are thought to be signs of
character and are widely esteemed. The subjects that groups of
friends discuss are generally the same. Girls talk about people they
like, clothes and make-up; and boys discuss girls, clothes, football,
teachers and lessons.
Judging people not according to their character and moral val-
ues but by their material wealth is a deviant sickness of Ignorantism.
At high school, it is most important to appear to be wealthy, and in-
tense efforts are made to that end.

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