About Accuse Heresy:

The tactic of accusing a fellow traveler of heresy serves to challenge their allegiance or commitment to a particular group, cause, or ideology. Rather than addressing the merit of the other’s viewpoint, it attempts to sideline the discourse by making loyalty and integrity the focus. It shifts the conversation from “what is right or wrong” to “who is in or out,” thereby creating a binary division.

In many cases, this tactic works by exploiting the emotional or psychological attachment people have to their in-groups. It is often employed when the issuer themselves may be on shaky ground in terms of the facts or logic of their argument. By resorting to Accuse Heresy, they pivot away from a potentially losing battle over substance and instead focus on the “us versus them” dynamic. By suggesting that someone is disloyal, it pressures the accused to either conform or face ostracization. Moreover, it discourages meaningful discussion by casting any form of dissent as treacherous, thereby stifling critical thinking and open dialogue.

Accusing someone of heresy or disloyalty has a dual effect. It not only attempts to silence the person being accused but also sends a strong signal to others who might be contemplating expressing a dissenting view. It creates a chilling effect, discouraging open discussion and perpetuating a monoculture of opinion.

Countering accusations of heresy requires a careful approach; someone accused could use a general response like “I also think [principle/ideal], but framing it as you did helps the other side paint us as crazy/evil/stupid.”