I think it comes down to intolerance for those who are different from us. It is inherent in human society. However, it is detrimental and always leads to loss of value. Our regulators impose a certain amount of intolerance for differences on us, resulting in much status quo and stagnation in society. There are those who have little tolerance for differences in communities, resulting in houses that all look the same (and this year, it is costing us the value of having nicely lit Christmas displays).
Religion takes this to the extreme, and none more than the cults. Jehovah's Witlesses are intolerant to the extreme to anyone whose ideas differ from their own. (Granted, we are not tolerant of adopting their ideas, but that is for practical reasons alone). Unfortunately, some of them carry that intolerance with them to forums like this once they leave. They will try to start another cult. Or, they will beat up on anyone that differs from themselves, stooping down to the level of the Watchtower Society itself. This happens most when someone comes here with an unusual experience from the Watchtower Society or who has integrated knowledge and has come to an unusual conclusion. This doesn't make those people any less truthful than the ones that have had common experiences. Those with unusual experiences and integrations can profit from reading the more common ones, as much as those with more common experiences can profit from more exotic ones.
When anyone tries to enforce conformity to a group norm, value is unavoidably destroyed. Not only does the poster who has radically different experience not be able to express themselves fully, but others are intimidated into putting a stock answer to posts. That is not what we want on this forum--most of us have had our fill of that with the Watchtower Society. Notice that the rules prohibit this kind of insulting others. In fact, it is the Number One Rule on the list. I, personally, like a forum with a good diversity of different ideas and opinions, even if I do not believe some of them. The few people that have blatantly wacky posts will in time have their own worst enemy catch up to them (which is the date that they predict something will come and go without event). But even they liven up the forum to the extent that they stimulate everyone to thinking.
Think, and you will be independent. Let others do your thinking, and you will eventually find yourself in a cult.
...OUTLAW