Persecution issue by proxy

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I've been engaged in a rather heated debate about the outcome of p**** riot's trial on another discussion board. The overwhelming majority of posters agreed with the verdict. I, however, didn't. So I've made myself into a sort of champion for these already overly-acklaimed morons, loosing sight of my own principles and ideals in the process. I've used your run-of-the-mill arguments such as freedom of speech, dictatorship, "they where only attacking Putin" etc. etc.
But, looking back at it, the only thing that made me support these idiots was the fact that "everybody else" (on that forum), "the mass" so to speak, was overly against them. I pretty much reacted emotionally, and used my reason only in a support role.

I imagine a lot of people on these forums aren't exactly fond of masses or groups and their hive-mind opinions. Has this ever made you be less rational, or think less clearly? Have you ever been instinctively against an opinion just because the majority was holding it?

Regarding the band, jail was a little harsh of a penalty, although their decisions to disrupt people's church service should indeed be frowned upon. If they would have been protesting outside that's one thing, nobody's personal space should be invaded

BTW according to the thread title I would interpret it to mean dealing with Narcissistic or Borderline Personality Disorder and their typical attempts to enlist other family members or colleagues in targeting a particular scapegoat

The title is pretty misleading, I give you that. But the question I posed was pretty clear. Do you feel the need to support someone who you perceive as persecuted just because everybody else is against them? Kind of like a childish "I want to be different then anybody else" mentality but it only applies to persecution of another. I find myself sticking out for the unpopular fairly often, and without much reasoning involved.

I would not lend support to an individual/group being persecuted simply because "the majority" is against them.