Mass hysteria exists today even if we don't realize it. The people involved in the witch trials and the red scare probably didn't recognized what was going on in their society at the time would be seen as prime examples of mass hysteria in history. A good example to reference hysteria in todays society is the outlook of many westerners after 9/11. Let's be honest here, the majority of us began shaking in are boots when we saw someone with a hijab or a turban on. Why? Because A FEW people from that religion took their views to the extreme and slaughtered thousands of innocent people, thus creating trouble for those of the Islamic faith who also get slaughtered by the SAME group of people. These extremists Muslims kill their own people everyday. It is a very complicated religion full of extremists and those who are not extremists.
Back to the original topic at hand here; events by small groups of individuals have the capability to cause hysteria in the masses, as we've seen by the Islamic terrorism attacks on the Western World. This has all been done before people! Innocent people get scrutinized and even murdered because of other people's fears from one event. Society never will learn. If we keep being intolerant of other peoples views and beliefs, events like these will repeat for all of time.
I would like to connect these events of mass hysteria to my world view; society and the world will continue to be a horrible place as long as people keep being intolerant of one another. And let's face it, human beings have been intolerable for all of time. Christians against Muslims, Muslims against the Jews... it is all one big pool of hatred. To comment on my country, nothing is going to change until we take a firm stance against this intolerance.
Terrorism is a great example of hysteria because it effects Americans so strongly these past 12 years and is the biggest threat we face today. In my opinion, this country needs to stand its ground, stop worrying about offending people and protect our citizens. We are a nation of tolerance, but we are far too tolerant when it comes to beliefs that completely go against any sort of moral. If someone's belief is to slaughter innocent people in the name of their God, we as a nation shouldn't tolerate it, and put an end to it.
Your first paragraph got me thinking about extremist Christian groups that bomb abortion clinics. Like you make clear, there are extremists and violent individuals from every country, sect, and background.
ReplyDeleteAre you familiar with the Westboro Baptist Church? Though they're not quite violent, they have garnered quite a bit of media attention when they began picketing funerals and protesting gay rights.