A public conspiracy theory is the idea that there is a group of people acting clandestinely to deceive the public and inflict harm on the general public. (We are not addressing conspiracy theories where there is not an attempt to persuade the public of a false affirmation. For example, most criminal conspiracies are not public.) Usually, the conspirators have acquired substantial influence so that they are able to influence or harm large numbers of people, often in the millions. Examples of popular public conspiracy theories include: claims of widespread election fraud; the idea that masks don’t protect from COVID 19 or even that COVID-19 is way overblown or planned; QAnon and the idea that the Democratic Party operates a human trafficking and child porn ring; the idea that the Holocaust never happened; or the idea that Bill Gates is using 5G to harm the population.
But conspiracy theories can be more disguised. For example, Critical Theory, which is popular in some circles including University faculties, is essentially a conspiracy theory. Critical Theory involves the idea that there are one or more oppressor groups causing most of the distress in society by oppressing certain other groups, often in hidden ways. One popular variety of Critical Theory claims that white Europeans, especially males, have been oppressing everyone except themselves for centuries and are the primary ones responsible for most of society’s troubles. Of course, this cannot be supported by history but adherents are more interested in their cause than in history.
As Christians, we are guided by faith and reason, since Jesus and his Apostles modeled this for us. Conspiracy theories are resistant to reason because there is secret knowledge involved. Sadly, many Christians are taken in by conspiracy theorists, which benefits the theorists but nobody else. What makes people, including many Christians, embrace conspiracy theories? Consider these reasons for the popularity of conspiracy theories (be aware that the reasons overlap):
- It explains some distress in their lives. By adopting a conspiracy theory people feel less perplexed and more in control of their situation.
- It explains something they strongly dislike or oppose in their lives (e.g. wearing masks). By adopting a conspiracy theory people have the satisfaction of knowing who or what is attacking them.
- Knowing who or what is to blame allows them to guard against the perpetrators and fight them. They get to feel the excitement of being a warrior in a battle against evil, which boosts their self-image.
- They receive the satisfaction of having secret knowledge about the conspirators that most people don’t have. This is a boost to their ego. This kind of thinking has been popular throughout history; for example, in the 1st century, Gnosticism attracted adherents with their invitation to obtain secret spiritual knowledge by joining them.
- Some conspiracy theories offer a whole worldview (e.g. QAnon, Critical Theory) which satisfies the natural human desire to find a grand unified theory of understanding (the genesis behind innumerable religions and philosophies). Adherents can use the theory as a filter to assign meaning and truth to everything else in their lives.
- It offers a cohesive and passionate community to belong to. This is especially influential as a society descends into tribalism (which sociologists are observing in America.) Humans have a powerful desire to belong and the theory community offers enthusiastic relationships.
- Some people are not familiar with critical thinking. Conspiracy theories can’t stand up to critical thinking, in other words, the careful use of reason. Many people are more guided by emotions, suspicions, desires and faulty logic than by reason. Also, it appeals to people who just don’t want to make the effort to think things out.
- It offers a refuge to people who are already feeling marginalized, out of tune with, or rejected by the majority society.
- Appeals to people who are more fearful or suspicious than most.
- Appeals to people who embrace anger and combativeness more than most.
- Appeals to people who like to judge others, especially in the form of scapegoating or splitting (the habit of labeling a person as all good/right or all bad/wrong and not seeing a mixture of the two.)
- It helps someone justify themselves as being in the right and avoid responsibility for growth in character.
- It allows them to narrow their sources of information according to their preferences. When they see bias in the news they magnify it in their minds in order to explain why the truth is not being told and so they can avoid “mainline” news sources and choose sources they prefer. This is especially tempting for Christians since mainstream media and entertainment is so biased against Christian thinking and morality.
- The explosion of social media and alternative news sources allows for a much more efficient and widespread dissemination of conspiracy theories.
- The pervasive influence of relativism, especially the idea that we create our own reality, allows people to dismiss the idea of objectivity and to embrace whatever suits them.
- The decline of the Christian worldview means that reason, historicity, relationship with God and personal responsibility are not as important.
If you embrace a theory that might be considered a conspiracy theory, please consider whether or not you are motivated by any of the above reasons. Be honest, because dishonesty impedes your relationship with Christ.
How can we avoid conspiracy theories? Learn how to discern facts. Consider the guidelines in this article: https://www.americanpressinstitute.org/publications/six-critical-questions-can-use-evaluate-media-content. For example, is it really possible that all the hospitals and their doctors throughout America and the world are overstating how many COVID-19 patients they have or how many deaths the virus is causing? Consider the immensity of the participation required for such a theory. Consider whether all these people have sufficient motivation to perpetuate falsehoods. In general, learn to dismiss ideas and theories that make negative claims about groups, without substantial evidence. The bible refers to this as slander.
Notice that all the reasons for adopting conspiracy theories detract from following Jesus and his principles of living. We are to be seekers of truth and lovers of all, walking in meekness and peace. Many of the reasons involve substituting the benefits of a conspiracy theory (such as finding community, having secret knowledge or focusing on enemies) for depending on Christ and letting God supply one’s needs. Also, motives such as tribalism, fear, anger, scapegoating and judgmentalism are fundamentally opposed to Jesus’ teachings and his mission of forming a harmonious community with God and his followers. Don’t let conspiracy theories distract you from Christ.
[For more on conspiracy thinking see https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/202011/the-mind-conspiracy-theorist or https://www.vox.com/21558524/conspiracy-theories-2020-qanon-covid-conspiracies-why]
