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by L.V. Cabral

Since time immemorial the faculty of communication in speech or writing has been prevailing to impart knowledge on diverse subjects. Communication has the capacity of achieving the highest potential depending on the character and outlook of the communicator. The power of communication could be distinctly split in two, perversion and purity.

Adolph Hitler, the inhuman dictator of Germany who plunged the world into World War II was the disaster and calamity of abuse of communication. He communicated with German masses convincingly and fluently and got them behind him by the power of his words of mouth. We may not agree with his evil designs and schemes but we cannot ignore the fact that he was an effective communicator.

Recently, a religious cult leader conversed with hundreds of young boys and girls in a Western country successfully and enticed them to reside in a lonely house on a hilly range and spend a permissive life caring less for food and drinks saying the end of the world was around the corner. Within a few days, almost all the youth along with the cult leader died or exhaustion and starvation.

Communication also has the tremendous power to mobilize the masses and create chaos in society. Some communicators with ulterior motives exploit electronic media and press to proliferate their whims and fancies in myths, rituals and superstitions, false beliefs. Some of the recent box office success of films, the 'Exorcist' for example, show apparently how the media could carry weight with evil all over the world particularly among the youth.

Pure communication the boon speaks to the hearts and minds of the listeners. It is thought provoking and leads to calm disposition. It has the tremendous power of purifying the minds of the listeners of defilements and prompts them to realize the real facts of life and wisdom: all due to the sincere motives and aspirations of the genuine communicators.

Dedicating the national cemetery at Gettysburg Pennsylvania former US President, Lincoln delivered a speech in simple clear style but full of inspiration, creativity and insight. Evidently the Americans would remember the model speech perpetually.

When the Second World War erupted England was not prepared to stand against the tide of Nazi aggression. The country lacked weaponry. The people yelled, the slogan "Give us the weapons we will finish the war". Winstone Churchill, an effective communicator rose to the occasion. He successfully motivated and mobilized the war weary nation by his inspiring speeches and triumphed in the end.

The teachers of world's religions and philosophers with altruistic motives always conveyed their noble thoughts and convictions to the masses and invariably transformed the society from barbarism to civilization and ignorance to enlightenment. Some of their doctrines have been prevalent for millennia. Evidently millions of adherents have been very enthusiastically following their teachings. Obviously, mankind is grateful to them for their noble humanitarian services rendered for the emancipation and forward march of human society.

Billy Kim, the Korean evangelist reveals a heart-rending incident that shows what forceful communication is. After the cessation of war one day the communist leaders rushed into South Korea from the North. First they ordered the community of Christians to assemble in the Church. When the Christians obediently gathered, they ordered the leaders of the Christian community to spit on the Bible and deny their faith. Fearing torture and killing they obliged one day one meekly.

Then the chief communist leader ordered the Christian faithful to deny their faith. Lo! and behold! A young girl fearlessly came forward and addressed the tormentors, "You can hammer me into a pulp, and you can beat me into extinction. But I will never deny my Lord." Then she started a hymn and all the others joined in chorus.

Thereafter she turned to the leaders and said, "May God have mercy on your souls." What was the result? The communist leaders gunned down the leaders of the Catholic community and set free the young fearless girl alongwith others in appreciation of her powerful fascinating and appealing communication.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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