History states that the girls that accused women of being "witches" later admitted that they made it all up and faked it. History has documented this well. We also have a good record of the trials....the tricks used during the trials, and the burning of innocent women on stakes, to satiate a mob mentality.
What did we learn from the Salem Witch Trials? That a court has to be unbiased and free of trickery?
Have we learned that it is not our place to "burn" or condemn "witches" perhaps?
I see society continuing to condemn "witches" like we are back in Salem.
What did we learn as a society from the failure (and it was a documented failure!) of the Salem Witch Trials?
2006-12-14 09:04:11 · 12 answers · asked by nottashygirl 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Yes, I think you are right about society continuing to condemn people as if they are witches. For example, it's very disturbing when people are arrested and allegedly tortured for being terrorists merely on hearsay or the barest of 'evidence', and without being able to defend themselves in an impartial and open court of law. And when public hysteria and fear contributes to and supports this. For example, the situation of some of the detainees in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (they may be terrorists or might not be, but in any case, no evidence has been publicly presented against them nor have they been able to defend themselves as even the most petty of criminals can, and even people who commit the most terrible of crimes should have this basic right - this is one of the things that being a good democracy is about). Or, in connection with The Crucible (the play), the McCarthy anti-communist trials.
Or, in countries like Iran, where people are executed for 'crimes' (such as homosexuality or being unchaste or being raped (!)) after being reported on by informants who don't have to give their names, or any solid, provable information.
Unfortunately the same type of thinking is everywhere in the world.
2006-12-14 09:12:07 · answer #1 · answered by probablestars 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
1. One important thing to remember about the Salem Witch Trials is that there were no lawyers involved, and that the "court" did not follow the common law rules of evidence. The entire proceeding was under the direct control of the clergy. The horrific experience of the Salem Witch Trials reminds us what can happen when we set aside the rule of law and allow religious extremism and religious superstition to rule society. 2. Living in Puritan society was a hard experience, because they were in a wilderness attempting to build a new society. While they deserve a lot of credit for that, we must also recall that their narrow mindedness and unwilling to tolerate dissent is what inspired the dissenters to form other states and is what set the standard for freedom in this country.
2016-03-29 07:22:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We've learned nothing from the Salem Witch Trials. In today's society, you are labeled by your peers, passersby, and family. If you're labeled the "easy girl" at your school, even if you've never been intimate with anyone, then you're still the school slut. If you're a Christian, liberals automatically dub you a right-wing lunatic. If you're an environmentalist, you're a tree hugger.
Labels will be with us until we die. The only thing we don't do that they did at they trials was torture and kill people for being different.
2006-12-14 09:12:20 · answer #3 · answered by kenrayf 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Nothing. Physically and pretty much mentally too we have stopped evolving. We are the same people who burned the witches, crucified Christ and murdered the lindow man. Stupid people follow idiotic leaders, no questions asked as long as the show is good. Stop making believe that we should be somehow civilized. Never were, never will be. Only some individuals can be enlightened, at least above the crowd. You watch your back if you practice the black arts.
2006-12-14 09:14:23 · answer #4 · answered by Goswin 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Unfortunately, we've learned very little from that shameful chapter in our history. Remember that Miller wrote The Crucible as a response to McCarthy's modern day witch hunt, and it's just as relevant today as it was half a century ago. The "witches" change, but the mentality remains the same.
2006-12-14 09:09:16 · answer #5 · answered by Dorian V. 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
We learned that women have problems that men cannot solve. We learned that they weren't witches at all. We learned that life was hard and people were trying to live up to impossible standards in the natural, and raw wilderness and being filled with misunderstanding of the nature of things, including themselves (and also that of the Native Americans and how to share and live on the land). So. Use what you've got to your own good and be sure of your friends. Its alright to keep secrets. If you've got it, you've got it. Go out there without fear of being captured by the ignorance we are surrounded by. Learn something useful and use it.
2006-12-14 09:13:39 · answer #6 · answered by Honey 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hopefully, we learned how to sort out the real from the fake! Too bad the so-call persecutors weren't but to death in retaliation for the murder of the women who were spiritually connected!
2006-12-14 09:10:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
when an angry stupid mob starts congregating, they become even angrier and stupider by the minute
and its time to run
my dads parents saw that happening in Germany and came here.
I think they usually go for the crazy people first.
2006-12-14 09:08:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing. Because we are continuing to persecute millions of blacks, and gays, and atheists. And countless others.
Court will never be unbaised because people run it.
At least I thats what I think.
2006-12-14 09:14:04 · answer #9 · answered by xsupergirl245x 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
never underestimate the power of a mob whipped in to a frenzy.
2006-12-14 09:08:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋