Why believing conspiracy theories corrupts your Christian witness

[Michie]

Christians have a dual responsibility to question conspiracy theories and show compassion to those who believe them, says Jared Stacy

Today’s world is being shaped by lies in terrifying ways. In recent weeks, for example, we have witnessed Vladimir Putin’s disinformation campaign to justify the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

But it’s not just officials in the Kremlin making spurious claims; during the pandemic we’ve also been bombarded by falsehoods. Conspiracies appear in our search results, while scrolling on social media or in conversations with friends and family. What were, at one time, beliefs held by extremists, fringe groups or eccentric uncles – the earth is flat, the moon landings were faked, I know who really shot JFK – have now filtered into the mainstream consciousness, aided by technology that makes sharing content easier. In a world that can be confusing, complex and at times seemingly out of control, conspiracies offer us the illusion that we can understand reality without too much effort on our part.

Continued below.

Why believing conspiracy theories corrupts your Christian witness

Christians have a dual responsibility to question conspiracy theories and show compassion to those who believe them, says Jared Stacy

www.premierchristianity.com

 

[peaceful-forest]

The wisest thing would be to pray to God about it. Ask God what's true and what's false.

You may be surprised at what He has to say.

 

[imsaneru]

Today’s world is being shaped by lies in terrifying ways. In recent weeks, for example, we have witnessed Vladimir Putin’s disinformation campaign to justify the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

That information probably came from the MSM , so how do we know if they are telling us the truth?
We can see quite clearly how they treated Donald Trump over the yrs with their lies so why should we trust them?

This is an alternative view to the MSM by a man who knows full well what is really going on with Ukraine.
Ex Colonel Australian special forces S.A.S. Now political leader of Australia one party , also connected to Mike Flynn and the Trump team.

But who is going to believe him ?......well certainly nobody who believes in the MSM. They will just brush him off as a conspiracy theorist so they can hold on to their love and trust of the MSM.

So where does this leave us?.......well it's the same old story , believe what ever suits you and call every other opposing view a conspiracy.
Such is life.

 

[TruthInLight]

Noah would have been called a conspiracy theorist. Jeremiah the prophet would have been called a conspiracy theorist. The men of faith and God in the bible would have been called a conspiracy theorist. Christ Jesus himself would have been called a conspiracy theorist. Back then people had these type of views, but they didn't have the term/label conspiracy theory or theorists.

 

[Hazelelponi]

That information probably came from the MSM , so how do we know if they are telling us the truth?

However, it doesn't matter. The premise is true regardless of party affiliation or general beliefs (meaning socialism is good versus conservative values can't be thrown completely away).

We are becoming far more ideological as a society - likely due to social media - and as we do, we are becoming ever more polarized as a society.

As we became more polarized we gathered around ourselves those we felt we could "trust" (church, media, political leadership etc)..

And so now it's finally gotten to the point where we are no longer even operating on the same "facts" about what's going on in the world around us.

We really aren't. Bad actors have crept in on both sides of the aisle and now finding real truth is much more difficult to find if it's a topic you don't have personal experience with.

It's to the point I don't even know how we come back from this as a society ..

Therefore, regardless of the perspective you come at this article from, they aren't lying. It's getting bad... I think, along with others that the progressive left is far far worse, but disinformation is a problem on both sides regardless.

We need to be more careful than ever where we get actionable information from.

The ONLY problem I see here, like you, is that the warning alone might push people ever farther into their ideological corners.

It might be true, but what comes next?

It might be true, but how do we make well informed choices at the ballot box knowing that?

Because like you say, at one point, who's the arbiters of truth...

I liked the first response, ask God what the truth is.... Then at least God's people will have a clue what's really going on, regardless of the outcome we will, at the least, discern what's important to discern about our circumstances, and operate accordingly.

I think I'll give that poster a winner for that post, but excellent thoughts all the way around. I agree with you both.

 

[d taylor]

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In the age of satan (god of this age) and deception, most everything is a lie. Just about the only place to find truth is The Bible, too bad many believers seek truth outside of The Bible. Many even distort The Bible to fit many of the current deceptions, especially in the area of creation and even receiving God's free gift of Eternal Life.

That is why the coming kingdom of The Messiah will be a complete 100% contrast of truth with this current age of lies.

 

[Michie]

Grave peril of digital conspiracy theories: 'What happens when no one believes anything anymore?'

It's not uncommon to believe conspiracy theories, and surveys show that many Americans believe in at least one of them. But what happens when those beliefs go too far?

apnews.com

 

[Michie]

Christians and Conspiracy Theories – Christian Medical & Dental Associations® (CMDA)

“You can’t handle the truth!”That classic line from A Few Good Men from Colonel Jessup in the witness stand became a waving flag for many.

cmda.org

 

[imsaneru]

A few weeks or months after 911 happened my son came home from school with black ink on his fingers , told us that the police came to the school and finger printed all the kids. We rang the school and talked to other parents about it and they confirmed it to be true.

The school told us that the Gov had implemented new terrorist laws that allows them to do things like this now.
Like what am I supposed to think?.......That it's a good thing because my son might one day want to fly a plane into a building?

Sorry but I'll go conspiracy theory any day.

 

[Michie]

A few weeks or months after 911 happened my son came home from school with black ink on his fingers , told us that the police came to the school and finger printed all the kids. We rang the school and talked to other parents about it and they confirmed it to be true.

The school told us that the Gov had implemented new terrorist laws that allows them to do things like this now.
Like what am I supposed to think?.......That it's a good thing because my son might one day want to fly a plane into a building?

Sorry but I'll go conspiracy theory any day.

I find it fascinating that people are confused by the definition of what a conspiracy theory actually is. Believe what you want. Nobody is stopping you. But it’s not harmless. And it really does affect your witness as a Christian imo.

I just find it only fair to be show the other side of the coin. My sister almost succeeded in killing herself over this trash.

Wanna spread this stuff? Go ahead. But it’s not harmless.

Greater is He that is within you than he that is in the world.

 

[imsaneru]

I just find it only fair to be show the other sign of the coin

And there is nothing wrong with that , and that's how it should be. Sorry about you sister btw.
Anyway all these so called conspiracies are going to be revealed to the public very soon. I'm hearing before the end of the year , but the heavy stuff will likely be revealed after Trump is back in office as President.

Apparently they are drip feeding it slowly to the public so people don't get freaked out.
Her in OZ Lt colonel Riccardo Bosi mission is to rebuild the country when this is over , other countries are also getting ready as well.

So all we can do for now is to continue watching as things slowly change for the better. You may already have noticed how free speech is slowly returning , especially with X now leading the way , the others will also follow as we go forward.

No more lock downs , no more forced injections , no more stolen elections.....yes we have them here too as do other countries. freedom is coming wait for it......