Every society consists of two main parts: ingroup (“ours”) and outgroup (“other”). The values of these groups are different and it causes the antithesis exits between these groups. It can develop into the intolerance towards the opposite group. The ingroup has a tendency to overestimate itself while the outgroup is underestimated. Such situation has a tendency to instigate the formation of the stereotypes of the outgroup. Sometimes some qualities of outgroup can be related with crimes in the eyes of ingroup members. One can distinguish two main types of the outgroups in the society of Grand Duchy of Lithuania of the 17th century. The first group can be defined as infidels (Jewry, the Protestants, etc.) and the second – witches. Jewry became the out group because of the religious differences, traditions and behaviour features, etc. The intolerance towards the Jewry had could be stimulated by the existing economic competition. Usually the Jews had been blamed on economical crimes and swindles. Later the character of the accusations for the Jews had transformed. The image of swindling Jew had changed into the image of malevolent Jew, who harms To Christians purposely. The Jewry has been blamed having aim to pauperize the Christians. Later they had been blamed for beeing wishful to damage the Christian religion and to scorn it. Also the Jews had been accused for doing sacriledges, scorning the sacramental objects, stealing crucifixes, etc. Eventually the image of malevolent Jewry... [to full text]