Throughout history, societies have had their own forms of ideological purges, where deviation from the dominant narrative meant severe consequences. The Spanish Inquisition is one of the most infamous examples—a time when religious zealotry led to trials, public humiliation, and punishment for those deemed heretical.
Fast forward to today, and we see strikingly similar dynamics playing out in modern culture, particularly within extreme forms of “woke” activism and the relentless hatred directed at former President Donald Trump and his supporters.
At first glance, these two forces may seem unrelated. One claims to fight for social justice, while the other fixates on political opposition. However, the underlying mechanisms—intolerance of dissent, public shaming, and ideological purges—are eerily similar to the Inquisition.
The Demand for Absolute Ideological Purity
During the Inquisition, even a whisper of doubt about religious dogma could get you branded a heretic. Today, in woke culture, a single misstep—whether an offhand comment, a tweet from a decade ago, or failing to adhere to the latest politically correct terminology—can result in cancellation, job loss, or public disgrace.
Similarly, when it comes to Trump, anything short of full-throated condemnation can be met with hostility. Even those who are politically neutral or critical of both sides can be labeled “complicit” or “fascist-adjacent” if they don’t completely align with the anti-Trump narrative. Much like the Inquisition, where even the accusation of heresy was enough to ruin lives, today’s culture of ideological purity leaves no room for nuance.
Public Shaming and Show Trials
The Inquisition didn’t just punish heretics; it made sure their humiliation was public, using auto-da-fés (ritual public penance) to force confessions and ensure obedience.
In modern times, cancel culture plays the same role. Whether it’s an online mob destroying a person’s career over a perceived offense, or corporations rushing to sever ties with someone to avoid backlash, the spectacle of punishment is key. The goal isn’t just to punish the individual but to send a message: fall in line, or you’re next.
The same goes for Trump and his supporters. Media-driven “show trials” dominate headlines, whether it’s impeachment attempts, legal cases, or Congressional hearings that seem more focused on theatrics than justice. The process itself is the punishment—much like medieval trials where guilt was assumed before any real evidence was considered.
The Creation of “Unforgivable Sins”
The Inquisition operated on the principle that certain beliefs were beyond redemption. If someone was accused of heresy, confessing and apologizing didn’t always guarantee safety—sometimes, the accused still faced exile or death.
Today, woke ideology has its own set of unforgivable sins. Apologizing often isn’t enough; people are permanently branded as bigots, racists, or oppressors, no matter how much they attempt to atone. Similarly, in the realm of Trump hatred, there’s no path to redemption for those who ever supported him, even if they later distance themselves. The phrase “once a Trump supporter, always a fascist” echoes the same inflexible, punitive thinking that characterized religious extremism in the past.
The Moral Certainty of the Enforcers
What made the Inquisition so powerful was the absolute certainty of its enforcers. They believed they were acting for the greater good, ensuring religious purity and saving souls. This self-righteous mindset justified horrific punishments.
Today’s woke activists and hardcore anti-Trump crusaders operate with the same moral absolutism. In their eyes, they are eradicating “evil”—whether that means purging society of outdated language, tearing down statues, or making sure that no one associated with Trump is ever allowed back into polite society. When people believe they are fighting a battle of pure good versus evil, any means of suppression—censorship, public shaming, even violence—becomes justifiable.
History teaches us that ideological purges never end well. The Inquisition didn’t just eliminate heretics—it created an era of fear, paranoia, and cultural stagnation. Societies that prioritize ideological conformity over free thought inevitably suffocate creativity, debate, and progress.
If we want to avoid repeating history, we must reject the idea that ideological purity is more important than dialogue. We need to recognize that both woke culture and the obsessive hatred of Trump operate on the same dangerous principles that fueled the Inquisition—intolerance, punishment, and self-righteous zealotry.
The true test of an open society is its ability to tolerate dissent. When we start punishing people for wrongthink, we don’t just risk repeating the past—we guarantee it.
