EveryWoman

Dare to think differently?

Our thinking has been put in a cage, influenced or impacted on by society, religion, culture or the church,” said one lecturer in his Philosophy class.

The words rang so true and I wondered how the world would be if we all exercised our right to think outside certain expectations. Would it be a better world governed by a pool of constructive thoughts? Would it be chaotic or rebellious? Would it be blasphemous to challenge the religious fanatics in the different denominations?

Take for instance the vigorous praying antics implored by the many Pentecostals. Can anybody dare question the rationale behind the screams, hand clapping and bodily movements that characterize a simple communication to a God that we have been told is all knowing, omniscient and listens to any prayer, even the most silent? Are we allowed to free out thinking for just one moment to question, not oppose the style?

Consider some cultural dictates, in particular within rural settings. Ever wondered why a traditional doctor is never questioned when he crosses his boundary of practice to theorise that a sexual act with an unemployed woman will open job offers thereafter? Doesn’t the acceptable of such draw right back to the caged ability to think outside what we have been taught as children within our environmental contexts—and assume that anything said or done by certain quarters is gospel truth?

One cultural magnet that has taken over even the minds of the enlightened is the Facebook. This is one place where everything and everyone is always perfect and does unblemished acts to please every follower. I have seen the most despicable and distasteful posts with likeable comments that leave one wondering whether they are made in the pitch of darkness on the screen or simply by blind people. Again, it may consolidate the cage thinking theory where every FB user has been made to tow a specific line of thought.

Are we willing to stand out, be different to question certain decision in the workplace, risk negative labels for questioning peer pressures, stray from societal comforts to wear a different mask from the rest and indeed be denied admission to a school over a ‘rowdy’ behaviour?

How many of us, for instance would be willing or ready to question the purported changes by Pope Francis’s to the Ten Commandments to among other things remove the prohibition of adultery, forbid all aspects of genetic engineering and ban the consumption of genetically modified foods.

Digression is vital, in my view and although avoided or discouraged, it must be considered even in the most hostile environments. The least many of us go is to participate in whispers against certain happenings and oppose inaudibly. Well, it is time to think about freeing your thoughts.

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One Comment

  1. Caroline, I agree with you. If only we were to be thinking differently, especially politically in Malawi, things would have been better. Most of us are failing to develop because of ‘caged’ thinking. Good article.

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