Herodism

In 1702 he wrote in opposition to prevalent intolerance a phamphlet entitled "The shortest way with Dissenters," in which he counselled the violent and total extinction of all who differed with the state-sanctioned creed. He was, of course, out-Heroding Herod to mock Herodism : but his imitation was too good and he was clapped into Newgate and condemned to the pillory.

The target of defamation has been hurled from the pulpit and every rostrum upheaved to foster indolence and selfish principality of power. This mock heroism, or Herodism, is disgusting and sickening to a soul capable of finding worth outside of the world's pomp .and glitter, — outside of her charnel-house of ostentatious merit.

The author understands the person, society, and culture as three aspects of a unique phenomenon, which are dialectically relationed and, presently, are in contradiction; this scheme configures a revolutionary situation affecting the Latín American man (alienated by herodism, exploitation and marginality) and, therefore, involves both the society and the culture