Al-Riyadh A myth is a collection of imagination and illusions that have no scientific basis or logic. It is more like traditional folklore passed from one generation to another. People of all nationalities have their own myths with varying degrees of influence on society. A myth can spread quickly in closed and turbulent environments where people do not believe in facts and experience. In fact, sometimes we find that scientists and intellectuals believe in myths. In a previous article I talked about seven medical myths. Here is a quick reminder of them: nervousness or fear causes grey hair, sunrays have vitamin D, housework helps women lose weight, "Approved by the Ministry of Health" means that the product is safe, migraine does not affect one half of the head, sleeping at night with socks on causes blindness and a person needs eight hours of sleep every day. Many people reacted to the previous article about medical myths, including doctors, and some criticized it constructively. No matter how a myth is spread, it can affect the way we understand and realize things. Myths often deepen our differences, exasperate our division and control our future. Here are the seven most important myths Saudis still believe in. First, we are always right because we are the only ones who hold and know the truth. Others are wrong. By "we" I mean any individual, group, class, etc. Second, others should follow us and copy us and hold the same beliefs we have. Third, we view ourselves as the full custodians of others who are about to go astray. Our belief is that we should not let others determine their life and fate themselves. Fourth, we are the closest to Allah Most High because we hold a certain belief, culture and school of thought while others are distant from Allah and do not even follow His orders. Fifth, our history, civilization and resources are being hijacked by others who want to deprive us of our identity and beliefs. The whole world is conspiring against us. Sixth, women should always be under the guardianship of men because only men can protect them and their honor, value and modesty. Seventh, right and truth is associated with time; in other words, the past had the best thoughts, ideas and experiences. The big question is: Do we realize that we believe in these myths?
