Between 1692 and 1693, the town of Salem in America was caught up in a frenzy. By the time people came to their senses, 19 men and women were found guilty of witchcraft and executed by the religious community of Puritans
Backlash and the lash
The Salem witch-hunts highlight a dark side of human nature which has come to the fore often—in the anti-communist witch hunts of the 1950s, for example, writes Patrick Kiger in the National Geographic. And every time there is an Islamist terror attack, there is concern Muslims might be subjected to a witch-hunt. Admirable, as one doesn’t want to hurt and alienate law-abiding Muslims. But as someone said, “Forget the backlash, how about the lash?”
The power of belief
The Salem witch-hunt also shows how the power of delusional ideas. “Fear and religious fervour certainly played a role … The New England Puritans had a very real dread of the devil,” adds Kiger. Their beliefs turned them to extremism. And criticism of those beliefs slowly led to religious toleration
But what if ideas in a religion’s doctrine are kept immune from criticism, for fear it might alienate that community? Despite what many liberals believe, those inspired by the IS are not all psychopaths. “Most are profoundly motivated by their beliefs,” writes Harris. And if they die trying, they’re ‘guaranteed an eternity in Paradise’