Why Are We So Intolerant?
It’s perplexing, frustrating, and saddening to reflect on why we, as a society, have become so intolerant. How is it that we have so much spare time to blow every minor issue out of proportion? Our nation seems to have crossed the boundaries of moderation, often abandoning ethical limits driven by emotional attachments or baseless grudges. Disagreements existed before, but the decline in decorum was not this severe. A lack of proper upbringing, dwindling patience, and the unchecked spread of social media have stripped us of our remaining moral fabric.
For the past decade and a half, our society has been polarized — engaged in a relentless battle over political figures. Ethical considerations, respect for mothers and sisters, and the basic etiquettes of dialogue have been discarded. Supporters are entrenched in extreme loyalty, while opponents cross every boundary in their hostility. This divisive fervor isn’t limited to the common populace; even intellectuals, writers, and columnists have been swept up in this current.
For God’s sake, think for a moment! Where will this intolerance and imbalance of extremism take us? Do we not have more meaningful pursuits for our valuable time? On the Day of Judgment, will our harsh words and indecency not be held against us? Will the gold in our ledger of deeds turn to worthless dross? Reflect, contemplate, and, if possible, change your ways.
Another tragedy is our misguided belief that modern technology and science are the sole keys to success. While it’s true that technology is vital for material progress, we’ve neglected the nourishment of the human spirit. Our overwhelming focus is on wealth acquisition, leaving little room for moral development. The home, the first institution of training, has largely failed in its duty. Honestly assess your own household — how much emphasis is placed on moral upbringing? Schools, the second critical institution, have largely abandoned character-building, fostering instead a culture of moral decay. Completing the destruction is electronic media, and now, social media.
Professor Salman Basit, who has taught in universities across the USA, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Pakistan, writes:
“Believe me, the rapid moral decline evident in Pakistani educational institutions is unparalleled. The majority of teachers consider themselves ‘progressive,’ yet fail to see their students, especially female ones, as daughters. Who will take responsibility for moral training? Governments remain oblivious to their duties. They enforce their writ when it suits them but fail to prioritize curbing morally corrupting content on websites. They can ban platforms like X and YouTube but won’t touch such sites because it’s not on their agenda.”
Apologies if this sounds harsh, but those we label as intellectuals are often confined to their specific domains of knowledge. True intellect is a blend of insight and wisdom. Only those who embody high standards of morality and character, guiding society toward the right path, deserve to be called intellectuals.
Somewhere far away, in the blue expanse of the sky, there’s a house hidden behind clouds. I wish to live there. Somewhere in the northern wind’s caravan is a fragrant breeze. I long to feel its touch with my soul. Somewhere in a valley surrounded by azure and grey mountains lies golden grass glistening with dew under the sun’s first light. I wish to feel those dewdrops beneath my feet. Somewhere in dense forests untouched by sunlight are untraveled paths. I want to walk those trails. Somewhere, away from the clutter of towns, free from the weight of pretenses, there’s someone who knows how to laugh freely and live fully. I wish to meet them — and only them — again and again.
