In USA history, our history, people have willingly believed absurdities and willingly committed, or at least approved, atrocities. Extremisms in US religion, politics, and in the divisions created by a capitalist society make this cycle difficult to break.
A person's Willingness to believe in Absurdities is the reason that they can be Convinced to commit Atrocities. This is all by Choice. America is primed to commit Atrocities.