The Poison of Division

Human society has always been enriched by a diversity of thoughts, ideas, and perspectives. Differences of opinion are natural, but when these differences transform into hatred, prejudice, and hostility, they push society toward decline. Today, one of the most dangerous diseases afflicting our society is intellectual bias and sectarian division—separating people based on color, race, language, or belief.

This issue is not limited to one nation or region. Whether it's Turkey or France, Germany or India, this poison exists in various forms everywhere. The question is not why differences exist, but why we have not learned to coexist with them.

The famous Turkish thinker Ziya Gökalp once said:
"The foundation of civilization lies in the freedom of thought, and unless people learn to think freely, they will never learn to live freely."

European philosopher Voltaire famously said:
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
This very spirit gives birth to a civilized and progressive society.

The roots of sectarian thinking are often strengthened by our education systems, social conditioning, and media. When children are taught from an early age that "we" and "they" are separate, and that our belief is superior, we are, in fact, imprisoning a new generation mentally.

Prejudice on social media has taken an even more dangerous shape. Unverified posts, hateful comments, and misinformation poison the minds of hundreds in an instant. The internet, instead of being a source of knowledge, has become a battlefield of hatred.

Renowned German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche wrote:
"He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster."
In other words, hate and prejudice not only harm others but also corrode us from within.

To rid ourselves of this intellectual poison, we must foster awareness, dialogue, and tolerance. We must learn that disagreement lies in ideas—not in humanity. By listening and understanding others, we ourselves become better humans.

Turkish author Orhan Pamuk says:
"Freedom is when you stop being afraid of other people's thoughts."
This is the very freedom we need—freedom of thought, social freedom, and most importantly, freedom of the heart.

Ultimately, if we identify ourselves within the circle of humanity, the world may cleanse itself of this venom of hatred. Otherwise, we will remain trapped in shells of “I” and “You,” distant and fearful of one another.