By Shane Kastler
Have you ever felt like you're the only person in the world who holds the views you hold? You're probably not, but if you have a longing to know the truth and a streak of non-conformity in you; then you probably know the loneliness of isolation. You are familiar with being considered an extremist in a world of lemmings. And you know what it is like to be a one-eyed man in the world of the blind.
A common misconception among Americans is that we live in a “Democratic” society, where the will of the majority is supposed to be the rule. Numerous problems exist with this misunderstanding. While there is a “democratic” aspect to America (since voting takes place), the government itself is not set up to be a true “majority rules” democracy. Rather, it is supposed to be a Constitutional Republic, with elected representation to speak on behalf of constituents. In this form of government, the laws of the land must pass the test of a written constitution, regardless of what the majority thinks. If, for example, most citizens decide that murder is acceptable, the act should still be illegal because it violates the written constitution. Of course, as a Christian, I would appeal to a higher power than mere government. But at the very least, all who live within a certain governed region are supposed to receive the protection of the constitution. And the assumption is that most of the people agree with this written code. Of course, this is not how it always works.
Not everyone agrees with what the U.S. Constitution says, nor does everyone agree with what it is intended to say. Judicial wars over “original intent” vs. a “living constitution” permeate the legal debates of our day. Yet under both judicial philosophies, the question might be asked, “What about Non-Conformists?” What does the law, the governing authorities, the “State”, academic institutions, or businesses do with people who simply hold a minority view on a topic? Historically, these people have been silenced by the majority. Sometimes violently so. Take, for example, the “State.”
By “State” here, I’m referring to the bureaucratic apparatus that seeks to keep power over the masses. Or to ask the question bluntly, what do Washington politicians, on both the political left and right do, when someone suggests (for example) that they are all crooks? The answer is that the Democrats and Republicans quickly become bipartisan to try and eliminate any threat to the established power. The State talks of liberty, but in truth the State loathes dissenters. Those who refuse to conform and be chided like cattle into a pen.
The late Murray Rothbard wrote of this attempt to silence minority voices: “The greatest danger to the State is independent intellectual criticism; there is no better way to stifle that criticism than to attack any isolated voice, any raiser of new doubts, as a profane violator of the wisdom of his ancestors.” (Anatomy of the State, Kindle Edition, Location 90)
In other words, if you dare to think for yourself you can expect to be punished. Sometimes the punishment is minor, as in verbal ridicule or name-calling (bigot, homophobe, etc.). But sometimes the State will fire up the vehicle of legal power to silence dissenters. This is seen today in the dictatorial usurping of unity campuses by groups such as Antifa. Free-speech is disallowed, unless it is “free” speech that is approved by a certain group of self-proclaimed guardians of truth. And any criticism of the power-players is instantly deemed “hate speech” and thus too abhorrent to be legally allowed. Never mind the fact that those guilty of “hate speech” have not actually lifted one finger in assault of a single person. No crime has been committed. No act of aggression has occurred. Dissenters are merely silenced and penalized for stating opinions. And this in a “free” society? Such societies are “free” in name only for they exist only to protect the freedom of whichever band of thugs is in power at the time and in a particular place. That isn’t freedom.
Rothbard continues: “Another potent ideological force is to deprecate the individual and exalt the collectivity of society. For since any given rule implies majority acceptance, any ideological danger to that rule can only start from one or a few independently-thinking individuals. The new idea, much less the new critical idea, must needs begin as a small minority opinion; therefore, the State must nip the view in the bud by ridiculing any view that defies the opinions of the mass. “Listen only to your brothers” or “adjust to society” thus become ideological weapons for crushing individual dissent. By such measures, the masses will never learn of the nonexistence of their Emperor’s clothes.” (ibid, Location 92)
Rothbard’s eloquence points out phrases such as “listen only to your brothers” and “adjust to society” to give examples of phrases used to guilt independent thinkers into submission. One of the new catch phrases is “you’re on the wrong side of history.” This one has been used to shout down everyone from those who belief in traditional marriage to those who oppose the legalized racism of Affirmative Action, to those who refuse to kowtow to “Social Justice Warriors” on a whole myriad of issues. Of course, what is consistently left out, indeed forgotten, is that it may be a good thing to be on “the wrong side of history.” Because if there is one thing history teaches us, it is that the established powers are not always in the right. Or, history might teach us that if the street mobs would stop vandalizing historical monuments, the academies would start teaching history, and the government hacks would stop trying to control thought in Orwellian fashion.
The Non-Conformist will always be subject to attack; either by the majority or by a more vicious brand of minority that would have you believe they are in fact the majority. Many times, there truly is a so-called “silent majority” made up of those who love liberty for all but are too intimidated to speak up and speak out. And so, the brow-beatings continue, both intellectual and physical.
Isolated Non-Conformists exist in every realm of society. In the political world, look no further than former Congressman and Presidential candidate Ron Paul, who spent a career speaking out in defense of individual liberty and often be ridiculed by the political left and right alike for his positions. Dr. Paul still issues his daily “Liberty Report” with Daniel McAdams as s continuing voice of dissent in a sea of conformity.
Or look no further than Rand Paul’s recent attempt of “sitting” in the well of the U.S. Senate until his amendment to end the unconstitutional overseas wars was heard. His attempt failed, but at least there was an attempt. Read the writings of Justin Raimondo on Antiwar.com as he consistently calls for peace and calls out the war hawks from both majority parties who often provide non-sensical and dangerous justifications for perpetual war. Look to the late Austrian economist Ludwig von Mises and his declaration that all the American politicians of his day were simply espousing various forms of socialism. Look the Mises Institute named in his honor, and the continuing work of Lew Rockwell, Jeff Deist, and others. And look to, the now deceased (and aforementioned), Rothbard whose voluminous writing and academic career kept him as the odd man out in almost every venue he attended.
The religious world likewise presents many examples of non-conformity. The very word “Protestant” means to “protest” and as such “Protestants” protested the corrupt Catholic church of their day. Martin Luther spoke loudly and boldly, and was shouted down by the majority with equal vigor.
The English Baptist John Bunyan endured constant jailing for refusing to submit to the governing authorities of his day. Of course, many other examples come from the Bible where the Apostle Paul, a Christian, refused to retreat to his former legalistic Judaism, and was persecuted with the compliant help of Rome. The same Roman government that crucified Jesus, at the request of the same Jewish leaders, who saw him as a blasphemer, heretic, and above all a non-conforming threat to their malfeasance.
Modern day examples of Non-Conformists exist, though they are few and far between. The college student who dares question the conventional theory of evolution in a Science class might easily be mocked or even flunked for not going along and getting along. Likewise, the brave professor who challenges the dictatorial administrative policies of universities who ballyhoo about “free speech” then ban it from their campuses in the name of diversity. In truth, diversity is the last thing they want. They want conformity to a progressive agenda, that controls thought and punishes Non-Conformists. And so, the Non-Conformist, yet again is the odd man (or woman) out.
The Non-Conformist largely lives their life in isolation. Be it in the political, academic, or even religious realms, they are largely seen as eccentric threats. And all too often, eccentric threats that must be destroyed, lest some Conformists start to wake up and realize that the powers that be have too much power.
While I don’t offer a magic bullet solution to these facts, I merely write as a Non-Conformist who is comfortable being largely alone in a world of conformity. There will always be a majority view on every topic. And there will hopefully be those who question that view, just for the sake of intellectual honesty. Sometimes the majority is right. Usually they are not. So the Non-Conformist must stand up, speak out, and suffer the consequences. Not because they enjoy causing trouble. But because they long for the suppressed truth to be unleashed, and the archaic ideas of peace and liberty restored.
In the end, the status quo establishment must be resisted in intellectual circles and beyond. Truth exists, even when it is only being spoken by a lonely voice typing a blog, or an isolated man preaching in the pulpit, or an oddball professor, who knows he is bait in a swamp full of gators, and his days on campus are likely numbered. But let the Non-Conformist know this. He or she is not alone. Isolated, yes. Outnumbered? Normally. But completely alone? Never. There are others just like them, speaking, sometimes shouting, and often being drown out by the duped masses. But they speak on nonetheless. For the truth must be told, no matter the price.
Great post, thanks. Another example is the Anabaptists, who rightfully thought the Reformers didn't go far enough in their separation from Roman Catholicism, and were mercilessly persecuted for it. I feel like an Anabaptist today amongst our doctrinally weakened Evangelical churches.
Posted by: John | November 21, 2017 at 12:57 PM