“Whatsoever Is True”: Reflecting on the Growth of Conspiracy Theories Among Christians

[Michie]

Well, that’s what they want you to think,” a friend insisted, with particular emphasis on the they and want, after the end of a long and fruitless argument about whether or not a group of secretive bankers was plotting in smoke-filled rooms to destroy the world. I tried, in vain, to convince him that Donald Trump’s election, a natural disaster in Indonesia, and the rise of the price of plastics were not, in fact, tied to a central, evil, dark conspiracy.

You, too, probably have encountered a friend or family member convinced of a conspiracy. Perhaps you’ve had someone plead with you to “just watch this” or have had someone tell you, convincingly, “It’s been proven!” and provide the web links to back it up.

Or maybe it’s not a friend prone to believing in Sasquatch, UFOs, or that the world is flat; maybe you are the one who believes these things. If so, this might get awkward because I’m pretty skeptical of conspiracy theories. But hang with me, and let’s at least agree to consider why Christians should be wise about the spread of information—especially information that might be dubious in nature or seems too good (or too nefarious) to be true.

Why We Want to Believe Conspiracy Theories​

Continued below.

"Whatsoever Is True": Reflecting on the Growth of Conspiracy Theories Among Christians - 9Marks

You probably have encountered a friend or family member convinced of a conspiracy. Why is this happening? And what should Christians do about it?

www.9marks.org

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Conspiracy theories were instrumental in Trump being elected ... twice.

 

[Michie]

Conspiracy theories were instrumental in Trump being elected ... twice.

See what happens?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

See what happens?

Exactly, but since Trump is regarded as a role model, might be part of the issue.

 

[Michie]

Exactly, but since Trump is regarded as a role model, might be part of the issue.

Well this thread is not really about Trump. It’s about Christians pushing fallacies. Let’s face it. There were no good choices in the last election. That’s why I voted Sonski. We can’t lay this all in the lap of Christians. The last thing we need is another (because Trump) thread. We got to just get through the next 4 years. And I’m perfectly happy to give credit where it is due and call out things I disagree with but I’m not going to cry over spilled milk at this point. Like it or not, Trump is not all that has been wrong with the world these past 12 or so years people have been pathologically discussing him. So yeah…

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Well this thread is not really about Trump. It’s about Christians pushing fallacies. Let’s face it. There were no good choices in the last election. That’s why I voted Sonski. We can’t lay this all in the lap of Christians. The last thing we need is another (because Trump) thread. We got to just get through the next 4 years. And I’m perfectly happy to give credit where it is due and call out things I disagree with but I’m not going to cry over spilled milk at this point. Like it or not, Trump is not all that has been wrong with the world these past 12 or so years people have been pathologically discussing him. So yeah…

I thought Trump was regarded as a Christian?

Trump is just a representation of a certain way of thinking. Part of that way of thinking is conspiracy theories, the ideas were all there prior to him getting elected .. but his success may have emboldened some to speak louder than usual.

 

[Michie]

I thought Trump was regarded as a Christian?

Trump is just a representation of a certain way of thinking. Part of that way of thinking is conspiracy theories, the ideas were all there prior to him getting elected .. but his success may have emboldened some to speak louder than usual.

I don’t know what Trump’s spiritual stance is.

 

[Apple Sky]

Well this thread is not really about Trump. It’s about Christians pushing fallacies

You mean the truth like the none rotating level plain that we all live on ?

Hebrews 1:10​

And, "You, Lord, in the beginning, laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the works of your hands.

Psalms 102:25​

Of old, you laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the work of your hands.

Job 38:3-4-5
Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who fixed its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched a measuring line across it?…

 

[Michie]

You mean the truth like the none rotating level plain that we all live on ?

Hebrews 1:10​

And, "You, Lord, in the beginning, laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the works of your hands.

Psalms 102:25​

Of old, you laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the work of your hands.

Job 38:3-4-5
Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who fixed its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched a measuring line across it?…

Your fundie interpretations, readings, and out of context cherry picking of Scriptures do nothing to give any of your conspiratorial accusations any credence. Just saying. You limit God. You weren’t there either. Your simplistic reading and out of context quotes once again, prove nothing. We learn by observing God’s creation and validly confirming it. Not inventing lies or slandering others to suit your investment in conspiracies.

 

[Apple Sky]

You weren’t there either.

And neither were you.

Your simplistic reading and out of context quotes once again, prove nothing.

They prove that God laid the foundations of the earth & measured the earth with a line.
What more proof do you need ?

 

[Michie]

And neither were you.



They prove that God laid the foundations of the earth & measured the earth with a line.
What more proof do you need ?

Didn’t have to be. I observe God’s creation. We live on a globe. It’s been confirmed over and over and it’s how things operate here. How God created it. Nothing else makes sense. Certainly not wackadoodle conspiracy theorists on YouTube that have been repeatedly debunked and making money off gullible people.You’ve proven zilch. It’s been explained to you repeatedly by a lot of people here. It calls into question why you obsessively keep pushing obvious lies.

 

[Michie]

From the OP:

Sadly, some followers of Jesus who claim to so boldly stand for truth are willing to create, spread, and post misinformation about people with whom they disagree or indulge fanatical tales about our ideological foes. Often we are the most gullible, the most willing to believe things that are not true. Perhaps this is why Paul often warned the early church against “silly myths” or fables (1 Tim. 1:4; 4:7). This is not just “going too far.” Ed Stetzer, professor at Wheaton College and contributor to Christianity Today, says, “When you share such fake news and conspiracy theories, you are simply bearing false witness. That is a sin and it is time to repent.”7

7 . Ed Stetzer, “Christians, Repent (Yes, Repent) of Spreading Conspiracy Theories and Fake News—It’s Bearing False Witness,” The Exchange, accessed September 6, 2019, https://www.christianitytoday.com/e...tians-repent-conspiracy-theory-fake-news.html.


Christians need wisdom to discern between what is true and what is false. While we should hope that “unfruitful works of darkness” are exposed, we should avoid the rabbit trail of conspiracy theories because they both distract us from pursuing what is true and good and beautiful and because untruths damage the witness of the church. And while most crazy ideas from the internet are harmless, there are many conspiracy theories that, when spread, cause real harm. They spread misinformation, stoke fears, and can even lead to violence. A conspiracy about Hillary Clinton and a supposed trafficking ring once led a heavily armed young man to show up at a Washington, DC, pizza place.

Thankfully, he was stopped before he could commit real violence. But #pizzagate was not just harmless internet chatter. Nor is the growing movement of white nationalist ideology that is fueled by dangerous conspiracy theories that see people of color as societal problems. A young man from Plano, Texas, indulged these fantasies so much that he murdered twenty-two people in an El Paso Wal-Mart in cold blood. And the rise in Holocaust denial has often led to violence against Jewish people around the world.

These are extreme cases. But even when there is no violence involved, conspiracy theories damage reputations and hurt real people. Parents of children killed in mass shootings like Sandy Hook have had people stalk their property because they listened to conspiracy peddlers who insist their kids didn’t really die but the entire tragedy was part of an elaborate “false flag” operation. Can you imagine the pain of not only losing a child to violence but also having someone track you down and harass you with wild accusations?

To indulge in these kinds of ideas is not only harmful. It’s corrosive to the soul, damaging for our public witness, and it hurts neighbors we are called to love. In the church, this kind of fear-mongering conspiracy causes unnecessary division.

Continued below.

"Whatsoever Is True": Reflecting on the Growth of Conspiracy Theories Among Christians - 9Marks

You probably have encountered a friend or family member convinced of a conspiracy. Why is this happening? And what should Christians do about it?

www.9marks.org

 

[FireDragon76]

From the OP:

Sadly, some followers of Jesus who claim to so boldly stand for truth are willing to create, spread, and post misinformation about people with whom they disagree or indulge fanatical tales about our ideological foes. Often we are the most gullible, the most willing to believe things that are not true. Perhaps this is why Paul often warned the early church against “silly myths” or fables (1 Tim. 1:4; 4:7). This is not just “going too far.” Ed Stetzer, professor at Wheaton College and contributor to Christianity Today, says, “When you share such fake news and conspiracy theories, you are simply bearing false witness. That is a sin and it is time to repent.”7

7 . Ed Stetzer, “Christians, Repent (Yes, Repent) of Spreading Conspiracy Theories and Fake News—It’s Bearing False Witness,” The Exchange, accessed September 6, 2019, https://www.christianitytoday.com/e...tians-repent-conspiracy-theory-fake-news.html.


Christians need wisdom to discern between what is true and what is false. While we should hope that “unfruitful works of darkness” are exposed, we should avoid the rabbit trail of conspiracy theories because they both distract us from pursuing what is true and good and beautiful and because untruths damage the witness of the church. And while most crazy ideas from the internet are harmless, there are many conspiracy theories that, when spread, cause real harm. They spread misinformation, stoke fears, and can even lead to violence. A conspiracy about Hillary Clinton and a supposed trafficking ring once led a heavily armed young man to show up at a Washington, DC, pizza place.

Thankfully, he was stopped before he could commit real violence. But #pizzagate was not just harmless internet chatter. Nor is the growing movement of white nationalist ideology that is fueled by dangerous conspiracy theories that see people of color as societal problems. A young man from Plano, Texas, indulged these fantasies so much that he murdered twenty-two people in an El Paso Wal-Mart in cold blood. And the rise in Holocaust denial has often led to violence against Jewish people around the world.

These are extreme cases. But even when there is no violence involved, conspiracy theories damage reputations and hurt real people. Parents of children killed in mass shootings like Sandy Hook have had people stalk their property because they listened to conspiracy peddlers who insist their kids didn’t really die but the entire tragedy was part of an elaborate “false flag” operation. Can you imagine the pain of not only losing a child to violence but also having someone track you down and harass you with wild accusations?

To indulge in these kinds of ideas is not only harmful. It’s corrosive to the soul, damaging for our public witness, and it hurts neighbors we are called to love. In the church, this kind of fear-mongering conspiracy causes unnecessary division.

Continued below.

"Whatsoever Is True": Reflecting on the Growth of Conspiracy Theories Among Christians - 9Marks

You probably have encountered a friend or family member convinced of a conspiracy. Why is this happening? And what should Christians do about it?

www.9marks.org

The fringes of the Right have always peddled in conspiracy theories, going back to fears of the Bavarian Illuminati (popular in colonial and revolutionary America), the Protocols of the Elders of Zion (which influenced Adolf Hitler's worldview and inspired pogroms in imperial Russia), the John Birch Society's paranoid anti-Communism, etc.. What's new is how much acceptability has been granted to those theories in mainstream Right-coded spaces in American life.

 

[Apple Sky]

Certainly not wackadoodle conspiracy theorists on YouTube that have been repeatedly debunked and making money off gullible people

You mean like NASA who are making billions off the poor American tax payer.

It’s been explained to you repeatedly by a lot of people here. It calls into question why you obsessively keep pushing obvious lies.

I'm pushing God's word which is the truth.

 

[Michie]

You mean like NASA who are making billions off the poor American tax payer.



I'm pushing God's word which is the truth.

Yeah keep believing that because you will anyway. You are pushing your interpretation of God’s Word. You’ll get no more attention from me tonight. I have very little patience for willful ignorance.

 

[Apple Sky]

I have very little patience for willful ignorance.

Nor me.

 

[David Lamb]

You mean the truth like the none rotating level plain that we all live on ?

Hebrews 1:10​

And, "You, Lord, in the beginning, laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the works of your hands.

Psalms 102:25​

Of old, you laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the work of your hands.

Job 38:3-4-5
Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who fixed its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched a measuring line across it?…

Sorry, but hat do the three passages you quote say about the earth being flat, or any other "conspiracy theory"? They certainly all say that God created the earth and the heavens. They don't say anything about your supposed "rotating level plain that we all live on".

 

[Apple Sky]

Sorry, but hat do the three passages you quote say about the earth being flat, or any other "conspiracy theory"? They certainly all say that God created the earth and the heavens. They don't say anything about your supposed "rotating level plain that we all live on".

What are God's foundations of the earth ?
What house doesn't have foundations ?

 

[David Lamb]

What are God's foundations of the earth ?
What house doesn't have foundations ?

True, but houses can be many shapes.

 

[Radagast]

We live on a globe. It’s been confirmed over and over and it’s how things operate here. How God created it. Nothing else makes sense.

Indeed. And Christianity has never taught "flat earth," because we've known for over 2,000 years that the earth is a globe.

There was a bit of a discussion about 400 years ago about whether the globe was moving, or motionless in the centre of the universe, but that's a different story.