Masked by Piety

Jul 8 , 2023
By Kidist Yidnekachew

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In a tale as old as time, a woman found herself entranced by the charismatic charm of a man whom she believed to be trustworthy and virtuous. This narrative, however, has an unfortunate twist.

Their connection, initially promising, began to show signs of strain as she sought to deepen their bond. Time and again, he circumvented her efforts, deftly citing his financial instability as the primary impediment to progress. Despite the woman’s entrepreneurial success being adequate for their joint subsistence, he insisted on being the provider – a role society often assigns to men.

A compromise was eventually struck, allowing him to take over the running of her business while she pursued a new venture. Despite their shared optimism, the business soon fell into decline. The woman, steadfast in her faith in him, excused the downturn as a symptom of broader economic woes rather than her partner’s inability.

Fast-forward three years, the cruel hand of reality shattered the illusions she had so diligently maintained. Abruptly, he vanished under the guise of visiting a relative in the countryside. His sudden disappearance, punctuated by an eerie silence from his end, left her baffled.

The shocking truth, as it often does, emerged from an unlikely source - the digital realm.

An innocent social media scroll brought her face-to-face with photographs of him vacationing with his 'beloved wife'. His marital status – a secret masterfully concealed throughout their relationship – was the ultimate betrayal. Her trust in him was rooted largely in his religious persona.

It is a familiar narrative; people often lean towards faith as a measure of a person’s potential as a loving and respectful partner. It operates under the assumption that fear or reverence for the divine would cultivate moral behaviour.

Consider, for example, the fitness devotee.

Despite their claims of dedication, a diet laden with junk food undermines their ultimate goal of health and fitness. The same principle applies to institutional membership – an understanding and embodiment of the institution's principles should underscore one’s association with it.

This discrepancy is not confined to personal relationships. It extends to the digital world, where the veil of anonymity often empowers users to make vulgar comments and engage in hurtful behaviour. A casual perusal of their profiles, however, reveals a startling contradiction between the institutions they purport to represent and their online conduct. This jarring dichotomy presents a challenge to digital platforms, perhaps prompting them to consider disclaimers stating that users' views do not reflect their institutional affiliations.

But would it not have been a better solution to encourage online citizens to act in line with the principles they endorse?

The heart-wrenching tale of the woman’s ordeal serves as a stark reminder that appearances can be deceiving, and that faith in an institution – religious or otherwise – does not automatically equate to moral integrity. It calls for critical engagement with the principles of these institutions, and a commitment to embody them, whether in personal relationships or in the digital world.

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PUBLISHED ON Jul 08,2023 [ VOL 24 , NO 1210]

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