Is He For Real?

I was trying to use my JasJam as a book by downloading some of those digital novels and stories; one of them was Appointment by Agatha Christy. One of the main characters of the story is the cruel mother who tries to influence her children’s actions by manipulating their thoughts using her domineering personality.

What I found striking was that there were several people around me using essentially the same method. Although they aren’t as extreme as her, they use the same principle: willing others to believe in you and in what you are saying despite the fact that that you lack in integrity, knowledge and are basically not fitting. These people sometimes use intimidation, and sometimes try to act in a way they think will impress respect, reverence, maybe even awe and on the “subject”.

One of the methods that one of my relatives uses to create this aura around his unfathomable character and wisdom is that of overgeneralization. Real people, with certain favorable characteristics, tend to act in a certain way, even sometimes ware certain cloths, speak in a certain fashion, etc. In many cases, we assume, when we experience a person that does these things, that he is real; in other words, we overgeneralize. Although stereotyping is very efficient, sometimes it’s not very effective.

Additionally, I guess we have an internal need to believe in something or someone, so when someone comes along and starts acting in a bigger-than-life fashion some start to think, “Maybe he’s the real thing”.

A more cunning method is, what I call, synthesized knowledge. The guy knows stuff, but lots of what he is saying isn’t something he really “knows”. He’ll be blending his opinions, judgment, and sometimes his emotions with all the real stuff. Some consultants are like that. Some people start to feel insecure and submit their souls, but remember Allah has given us the most valuable gift “an inquisitive mind”, so just ask about the inconsistencies of their statements.

Despite our insecurities, we have to use our minds and simply ask ourselves if we have enough real evidence to conclude if this person is for real. We, also, have to have the courage to ask any person to answer our inquiries; if he’s for real, he won’t mind.

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