What kind of conditions existed in the past which allowed people to be able to burn others at the stake?

Question

What economic, political, social, psycological or other forces existed which made people capable of such unspeakable cruelty?

Do you think that there are people living today in the U.S. who would be capable of this sort of thing if they were in similar circumstances?

Answer 1

An excellent question calling for a thoughtful answer. From history we know that in the past just as in 2007 there was a deep gulf between the rich and the poor.Kings and the Church had people killed at their own pleasure. There was no habeas corpus.The first moveable metal printing press was invented in 1440. But the books, religious and philosophical in nature,were available only to a literate,privileged few.Sanitation was non existant and plagues wiped out entire populations.The poor huddled in dark, filthy tenements Education was forbidden to women. Whole families stayed drunk on often tainted gin and rum. Women, children. and animals were considered property, to be sold, tortured or killed as deemed necessary. The young were used as cannon fodder. Considering these horrific conditions it is no wonder that in many circles rage ran high, and mob mentality prevailed. In 2007 in the US, while we have instant communication, more available education, and a higher rate of literacy, there is still a gap ( real or perceived) between the haves and the have nots.The media exposes many to riches they can only dream about. Political and religious corruption is evident to anyone who has eyes to see, and is used to control the masses; The young are used as cannon fodder. In dealing with "enemies of the state",habeas corpus is abolished. Powerful organizations use fear and blame to incite war and pit one group against another. Take a look at today's newspaper; people are still being burned to death either in war, through crime, or via character assasination.Look at the high rate of violence displayed in sports and by many athletes.Laws have changed, but people have not. Throughout history, whenever a dictarship prevails ( which is often) rage and revolt abound.When leaders fear loss of control, they quickly make more rules. More rules incite more anger and violence, and so it goes.Technicality has greatly improved our qualiry of life, but it not softened the human heart. Or lessoned the quest for power. For that to happen, Kant's Categorical Imperitive, like the words of Christ: "do unto others,"etc, need to be heeded. Not in my lifetime.

Answer 2

I cannot speak for the economic aspect, but the policitial, social, and psychological aspects were all weaved together through churches and their religions. Satan was a very real threat then, and some may argue, still is. A single incident could spark the burning of an entire village, in extreme cases.

The witch trials had nothing to do with ethnic groups. It should be pointed out that skinheads, and the Nazis, while being racial superiority groups, both have backgrounds with dabbling in witchcraft. Modern day skin heads have a very high percentage of members who are pagan themselves (typically Asatru, if any define a particular tradition or pantheon, warped as it may be).

I think it is very possible for another persecution to occur. People around the world are still being driven to have faith above reason or total compassion.

Answer 3

Hello,

Church and state were intricately bound together in those times and the upcoming heresies, right or wrong, were considered dangerous a big threat to the socio-political philosophies of life at that time. The Rc's tried to stamp out heresies whilst protestants went after the witches.
Burning at the stake was not only a deterent but supposedly purged the souls of those sent on their way.

I can equate this to our previous wars with communism in recent history or Islamic fundementalism today. Our society and considered them a threat as well to our social fabric and we are acting accordingly. We don't use the stakes but people to get roasted thanks to napalm etc. You might ask that little girl in that famous Vietnam picture running in a crowd with tattered clothes and burns to half her body,'She lives in Vancouver BC now but like many the signs of the time and situation got her burned. I am sure the inquisitors and heretics would be also horrified today with the behavior of suicide bombers as well as much as we are about the stake.

Michael

Answer 4

The heart of persecution is usually about power and corruption combined with ignorance and fear. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. The witch trials were a way of controlling people and others used that as a weapon for personal gains such as revenge (if they didn't like someone). The movement, for lack of a better word, was carried by mass hysteria; people lose their judgement and cruel acts are justified for the `greater good.'

If you supplant the witch trials for any other atrocity in the name of something good or pure, I don't think it would be much difference whether it is in the U.S. or elsewhere.

Answer 5

What kind of conditions? I could sum it up in two words: Ignorance and prejudice. To elaborate, they believed wholeheartedly in witchcraft, curses, and demons. Innocent women were suspect and subjected to this type of "religious" barbarianism.

Yes, I do believe there are people today in the U.S., capable of this very same thing. There are still strong Nazi organizations, and we still have the Ku Klux Klan. There is no excuse for ignorance, but the prejudice is still alive and well, unfortunately, as long as people believe in the supremacy of certain ethnic groups of which they are staunch members.

Answer 6

Religions were the culprit, and yes, I would say there are many people caple of such appalling acts.

Answer 7

i read somewhere like in Salem that the grain they stored fermented and they continued to eat it and it made them all stoned, so they thought certain people were witches but it was just because they were hallucinating and stuff. then theres the kkk and i can't really explain that.

Answer 8

DISCRIMINATION!!!!!!!