Actually there were judged crazy and condemned by the masses of their time... Religion is basically a tool to create order out of chaos and as humans are social and territorial (may not be the right word but cant think of it) creatures if you are not a part of their order you are a threat to it ie: chaos.

For most people the thought of chaos is so overwhelming and scary they become so radical and closed minded and defensive of their established "order" they defend it at all cost for any perceived possible attacks on it.