There is one thing that cannot be argued. That thing is personal beliefs. Nobody can dictate another person's individual stance on core values. However, we are social animals.
To live in a group means to agree to comply with a unified system by which to judge and be judged. The ability to permit others to determine personal values is integral to the ability to coexist with others in a community. While there may be some room for interpretation, and degree of acceptance, ultimately, the concepts of religion, education, government, and law enforcement are based on the premise that people must be open to external influence.
Even when the opinion of "the greater good" is contrary to the fiber of one's being, it is necessary to gain some support from like-minded individuals before any change can be made. When support is lacking, it must be garnered. Without it, one voice can be easily silenced.
Throughout history, there are countless examples where core values of entire nations had been drastically changed. Some, for the better, some for the worse. Take for example slavery, honor killings, female castration, minimum age requirements for child brides, marriage between siblings, gladiator fights, chivalry, acceptance of female ability to choose how and whom to live with. At some point, each of these was a contentious issue.
The very point that people are willing to go to war and fight for their ideals implies that there cannot be a complete separation between individual values and the need to influence, and be influenced by others. Without it, there is only anarchy.
When we send our children to school and teach them to think for themselves, we do it within a commonly accepted framework. Those that don't face the wrath of authority. If what is dictated as the norm doesn't seem normal, it is a question of pressure from numbers. Enough people have to stand for or against something for it to make any real difference.
There was a guy in Toronto who took offence to the teaching of To Kill A Mockingbird in school because of objections against use of the n word. It isn't the first or last time that people try to white-wash history. Countless examples exist where through either small tactics, such as this, or larger efforts such as burning books in public squares and sending all the intelligencia to Siberia, people have attempted to sway public opinions of right and wrong. By saying that something simply did not happen they are attempting to control what happens in the future.
Both examples demonstrate two extremes of the same issue,. In each case it was mass agreement to accept or reject what was being served as gospel that cemented rejection of those values. Sometimes, it is enough to show indignation. Sometimes, blood is shed and lives are destroyed. In all cases, it is a fight for mass support.
There will always be those who believe so strongly in what they feel is right that they are willing to go to any lengths to influence others to their point of view. These people comprise a very small portion of the human population. The rest, whether consiously or not, need and want to be told what is right and what is wrong. This is right and good. Not everybody should be a leader. If they were, who would follow? If personal values were not meant to be guided by others, we would live in Chaos.
