Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Puritans and Quakers

 


On 2 October 1656 Connecticut colony passed a law against Quakers. Y'all ever notice how the minority always favors toleration until they get to be the majority? The Puritans who left England pleading for toleration set up the most intolerant colony in English America. In 1659, 1660, & 1661 they HANGED four Quakers (the "Boston martyrs") and later about a dozen folks for witchcraft. They whipped Baptists (they'd have a big job in the South). Apparently very few folks genuinely believe that in the marketplace for ideas, truth will prevail, especially their version of the truth, hence they will gladly beat, banish, shoot, strangle, burn, or drown their opponents. And that's not much changed today.

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