Why does society tend to persecute free thinkers?

Answer 1

First of all, I'm considered a "hillbilly" because of where I live and I'm not "inbred". Just to clear that up for you. Free thinkers, GENERALLY scare others because they are open minded and do not follow the "rules" set forth by the general population so yes, persecution may be a word that would describe the reaction to free thinkers. On the other hand, if we did not have free thinkers, just think of where human kind would be now. Scary thought.

Answer 2

If you and I decided to create a society from scratch we would probably be forced to make up some set rules as we went in order to make things work. Dont do this, you can do this sometimes, do this but dont let people know about it. Often to keep order for everyone or to continue on the status quo (which the elite enjoy are the masses are led to believe is their station in life) you have to create a strict set of norms and beliefs to keep everyone in their place. This of course is opposed by nature to the concept of free thinking. When a free thinker sees restriction it is often the case that they will attempt to challenge the rules or restrictions in place. This isnt a bad thing, but it can threaten the neatly created system that serves the people who run it. If someone started threatneing our created society, we would take efforts to stop the potential damage, even if the idea might be good if the system benefits us. Since you cant really kill off or silence every dissenting opinion, the simpler and sneakier way (in my opinion) is to teach people that free thinking is bad. As long as people are willing to listen and following restrictions (as is often the case in fundamentalist groups) free thinking can be quashed to a degree. In general however there has been a trend of trying to at least keep the things we have (assuming it really cant be all that much better) so we tend to react against those who propose some more radical changes (such as socialism or a heavily influenced state welfare system).

Answer 3

You have worded your question very carefully "tend" to persecute aptly describes that it is not in all cases but in general.
Free thinkers can be on any subject or aspects of life. If it is on mundane objects, subjects many may ignore treating them as mad caps but if it comes to challenge any known scientific or religious beliefs , such revolutionary ideas are a threat to those already in power/ authority and as such efforts are made to discredit them and if they find it tough going they may resort to ways and means to eliminate them.
Even though every body kinows that the film DA VINCI CODE was based on fiction and has no truth in it and that there are a lot of contradictions and certain absurdities and assumptions , still the christianity world did not want it to be screened and seen by those who are young, and ignorant who may believe them to be the real facts and in our world there are a vast majority of such people.The easiest way is to ban screening, annihilate vthe preacher!!!
Also many such free thinkers are a personality apart from others and may behave differently too.They do not care about what the
world thinks about them.

Answer 4

Because religon , media and politics have brainwashed mankind the world over and the only ones that can see the deception are free thinkers that question everything and look to the origion of the lie ,trace it back to the source which is usually courupt and we can teach you to do it too. so listen!
To ridicule us is there tool to try to keep us beat down.

Answer 5

Free thinkers are threatening to society. Many in society try to control thinking with things like church and even stereotypes and "isms" like racism, sexism etc. If they can peg you out and can see how you think, you are predictable and thats safe. Anything less than that is very scarey.

Answer 6

Most likely because they are afriaid that people who think freely are going to deviate from the "norm" or what they feel is their "norm" anyway. I think that the people who shun freethinkers are really afraid of what would happen if they stated their own opinions. I think if they started to come out some they would see the there is a big bad world out there and it's not as horrible in most cases as what it seems.

Answer 7

cuz majour part of the society is ruled by narrow minded people who jus happen to have control over the society by instilling fear in them and preventing the general crowd to have an opinion of their own. they in turn fear the free thinkers may destroy their hold over society....

such a sad state our society is..the blind lead the blind!

Answer 8

b/c worthless loosers like to say that they're being persecuted for free-thinking.

E.g. "I told that man what an evil capitalist pig he is, and he won't give me any food in return. He is persecuting me for my free thinking"

Answer 9

because they are scared that people will be informed and revolt against the norm causing them to turn against people of power then in turn making authoritarians less powerful and having less control over people.

Answer 10

Because others are afraid of freethinkers...they don't follow the norm and are difficult to brainwash.