Conspiracy theories drawing believers from the faith

Of people I know well and see often that are only to quick to believe in conspiracy theories, - it doesn't draw them away from their faith, but it does seem to distract them away from addressing issues in themselves that need addressing from a Christian standpoint. In other words, so much focus on one area and tying-up conspiracy theories together that they've ignored some key Christian basics.

Nige55 said:

Of people I know well and see often that are only to quick to believe in conspiracy theories, - it doesn't draw them away from their faith, but it does seem to distract them away from addressing issues in themselves that need addressing from a Christian standpoint. In other words, so much focus on one area and tying-up conspiracy theories together that they've ignored some key Christian basics.

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Can you tell me what these "Key Christian basics" would be?

JacksBratt said:

Can you tell me what these "Key Christian basics" would be?

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Not starting (physical) fights, getting hammered drunk, abandoning family, not working, not being a provider, zero gratitude, proudly abusing health, I could go on.

thecolorsblend said:

I think it could take centuries for us to fully understand the way in which the Internet has affected mankind. Today, we have access to more information than was even conceivable just a century ago.

With the good comes the bad. More information doesn't necessarily result in a clearer understanding of something. There are all types of ways people might read a few out of context facts and then they go straight into a panic.

Don't believe me? Tell a friend or co-worker that their plumbing sends dihydrogen monoxide straight into their homes morning, noon and night. Tell them it's absolutely true (because it is) and just watch for panic.

You've given them out of context information they probably didn't have before. Based on precisely nothing, they decided it was time to panic.

People are not rational creatures. None of us. Zero. So expecting us to be rational is simply asking too much.

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I suddenly have this urge to try and tell a friend that their plumbing sends dihydrogen monoxide straight into their homes morning, noon and night....

am i evil? lol

crossnote said:

Perhaps it makes one 'special' as if they are 'in the know' or 'have the inside scoop'?

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i am not trying to be mean here but has anyone else noticed thsat these types often have the following in common

- they think joyce meyer is evil

- they say KJV is only valid translation out there

-they often type their Facebook posts in CAPITALS , LIKE THIS, AS THOUGH THEY ARE SHOUTING!

- they KNOW the pope is the antichrist. or obama.

- they believe in sinless perfection of at the least works based salvation
-
- they rarely talk about the positive side of the gospel. all about sin hell etc (i know these are neccessary parts of the gospel bu tthey balanced too far in that direction

- they believe everything is the Jews fault. yeah they even believe ashkenazi jews are the false jews Jesus warned of.

- even though the Bible says the earth is the Lord's and everything in it they believe satan controls the world. they place more emphasis on satan than they do on God

- they think fallen angels are waiting to drag us to Hell, wven those of us who are saved and continuing in the faith

- they seem to be a bit paranoid and obsessive

- they hate all liberals, left wingers. apparently left wingers are the antichrist. if they are the ones who dont believe it is the Pop- most of them do

- they tend not to have many other interests in life. you ask them abou ttheir hobbies, pets, chiildren etc and they come back with"we are fighting aspiritual war. how unspiritual to have time to do those things." (not that am saying we should waste time. we should be apssionate about Jesus. but they never seem to need any "me time" whatsoever. makes ordinary crappy christians like me feel very inadequate for daring to read a novel or go to the theatre occasionallly!)

- they sem to live in fear. this one actually makes me feel quite sad, actually. i know what that feels like even ifmy reasons were/are different.
-

WrappedUpinHisLove3 said:

i am not trying to be mean here but has anyone else noticed thsat these types often have the following in common

- they think joyce meyer is evil

- they say KJV is only valid translation out there

-they often type their Facebook posts in CAPITALS , LIKE THIS, AS THOUGH THEY ARE SHOUTING!

- they KNOW the pope is the antichrist. or obama.

- they believe in sinless perfection of at the least works based salvation
-
- they rarely talk about the positive side of the gospel. all about sin hell etc (i know these are neccessary parts of the gospel bu tthey balanced too far in that direction

- they believe everything is the Jews fault. yeah they even believe ashkenazi jews are the false jews Jesus warned of.

- even though the Bible says the earth is the Lord's and everything in it they believe satan controls the world. they place more emphasis on satan than they do on God

- they think fallen angels are waiting to drag us to Hell, wven those of us who are saved and continuing in the faith

- they seem to be a bit paranoid and obsessive

- they hate all liberals, left wingers. apparently left wingers are the antichrist. if they are the ones who dont believe it is the Pop- most of them do

- they tend not to have many other interests in life. you ask them abou ttheir hobbies, pets, chiildren etc and they come back with"we are fighting aspiritual war. how unspiritual to have time to do those things." (not that am saying we should waste time. we should be apssionate about Jesus. but they never seem to need any "me time" whatsoever. makes ordinary crappy christians like me feel very inadequate for daring to read a novel or go to the theatre occasionallly!)

- they sem to live in fear. this one actually makes me feel quite sad, actually. i know what that feels like even ifmy reasons were/are different.
-

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Don’t forget about how they tenaciously hold to the Flat Earth theory lol.

WrappedUpinHisLove3 said:

i am not trying to be mean here but has anyone else noticed thsat these types often have the following in common

- they think joyce meyer is evil

- they say KJV is only valid translation out there

-they often type their Facebook posts in CAPITALS , LIKE THIS, AS THOUGH THEY ARE SHOUTING!

- they KNOW the pope is the antichrist. or obama.

- they believe in sinless perfection of at the least works based salvation
-
- they rarely talk about the positive side of the gospel. all about sin hell etc (i know these are neccessary parts of the gospel bu tthey balanced too far in that direction

- they believe everything is the Jews fault. yeah they even believe ashkenazi jews are the false jews Jesus warned of.

- even though the Bible says the earth is the Lord's and everything in it they believe satan controls the world. they place more emphasis on satan than they do on God

- they think fallen angels are waiting to drag us to Hell, wven those of us who are saved and continuing in the faith

- they seem to be a bit paranoid and obsessive

- they hate all liberals, left wingers. apparently left wingers are the antichrist. if they are the ones who dont believe it is the Pop- most of them do

- they tend not to have many other interests in life. you ask them abou ttheir hobbies, pets, chiildren etc and they come back with"we are fighting aspiritual war. how unspiritual to have time to do those things." (not that am saying we should waste time. we should be apssionate about Jesus. but they never seem to need any "me time" whatsoever. makes ordinary crappy christians like me feel very inadequate for daring to read a novel or go to the theatre occasionallly!)

- they sem to live in fear. this one actually makes me feel quite sad, actually. i know what that feels like even ifmy reasons were/are different.
-

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Don't forget that they think that you have a very stereotypical view of them and group them with many other things that are not connected.

WrappedUpinHisLove3 said:

i am not trying to be mean here but has anyone else noticed thsat these types often have the following in common

- they think joyce meyer is evil

- they say KJV is only valid translation out there

-they often type their Facebook posts in CAPITALS , LIKE THIS, AS THOUGH THEY ARE SHOUTING!

- they KNOW the pope is the antichrist. or obama.

- they believe in sinless perfection of at the least works based salvation
-
- they rarely talk about the positive side of the gospel. all about sin hell etc (i know these are neccessary parts of the gospel bu tthey balanced too far in that direction

- they believe everything is the Jews fault. yeah they even believe ashkenazi jews are the false jews Jesus warned of.

- even though the Bible says the earth is the Lord's and everything in it they believe satan controls the world. they place more emphasis on satan than they do on God

- they think fallen angels are waiting to drag us to Hell, wven those of us who are saved and continuing in the faith

- they seem to be a bit paranoid and obsessive

- they hate all liberals, left wingers. apparently left wingers are the antichrist. if they are the ones who dont believe it is the Pop- most of them do

- they tend not to have many other interests in life. you ask them abou ttheir hobbies, pets, chiildren etc and they come back with"we are fighting aspiritual war. how unspiritual to have time to do those things." (not that am saying we should waste time. we should be apssionate about Jesus. but they never seem to need any "me time" whatsoever. makes ordinary crappy christians like me feel very inadequate for daring to read a novel or go to the theatre occasionallly!)

- they sem to live in fear. this one actually makes me feel quite sad, actually. i know what that feels like even ifmy reasons were/are different.
-

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Soon as you say... "if you believe this then you must believe all these" ... you have lost my faith in your ability to be objective in an argument.

Carl Emerson said:

Friends I have noted a trend that folks drawn away from the faith in many cases chase conspiracy theories of one sort or another.

Is this a basic crisis of relating to authority.

Is it that authorities are becoming more corrupt?

I am not asking for a thread that opens the door to discuss various theories, maybe some scriptures that warn against this - can we keep the topic general.

Thanks,

Carl Emerson.

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Thanks Carl.

However, I have noticed that those "chasing" conspiracy theories are having their faith in Christ reinforced.

I see them as people who test things that are worthy of testing.
I see them as people who don't just believe anything that they are told.
I see them as people who hold the word of God higher than the musings of mere mortal men.

Nige55 said:

Not starting (physical) fights, getting hammered drunk, abandoning family, not working, not being a provider, zero gratitude, proudly abusing health, I could go on.

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So...... these people are prone to starting physical fights. getting drunk, leaving their families, sloth, entitled and abusing their health?

Really?

I would strongly disagree. And.... I think that is a hugely erroneous stereotypical view of other Christians with different views than yourself.

JacksBratt said:

Soon as you say... "if you believe this then you must believe all these" ... you have lost my faith in your ability to be objective in an argument.

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look, i did say i wasn't tryign to be mean. FWIW i have friends who are conspiracy theorists. they are lovely people. they actually, many of them, have a real passion for God. i find they scare me, but i cannot deny their love for Jesus. and they have a capcaity to research pages of google on various conspiracy theories and take in a lot of information- am quite impressed qwith their determination. i guess, if am honest, i am envious of them. they can handle all this doom and gloom stuff, because they are confident they are God's Elect. also am kind of bitter because some of them tell me i am a aheretic and destined for eternal hellfire. which doesnt sit well with me- who wants to hear that?

JacksBratt said:

Thanks Carl.

However, I have noticed that those "chasing" conspiracy theories are having their faith in Christ reinforced.

I see them as people who test things that are worthy of testing.
I see them as people who don't just believe anything that they are told.
I see them as people who hold the word of God higher than the musings of mere mortal men.

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to be fair, they are more serious christians than i am. and that is what gets on my wick. they just make me realise i am rubbish compare to them. they know their standing with God is secure because they are not living in any compromise.

there are two types of born again christians in heaven. people like these mentioned, who have a reward and are crowned. then there are compromised lukewarm types like me- we get in but we are not rewarded. and i guess we probably get some kind of chewing and spitting out because God says our lukewarmness is nauseous to Him (makes Him vomit). so yes, i am the second type of saved christian, i guess. i listen sometimes to Bethel music. (musically a bit rubbish- i prefer Bach, to be honest- but the lyrics really speak to me), i have been known to read Joyce Meyer, Graham Cooke, etc all the grace based types. i am very worldly- i never fast these days (diabetic), and i tend to give when i can afford it rather than tithing every week (because if it comes to choosing to pay my bills or eating vs tithing, i will choose to pay bills or actually eat). i guess these truther types may be hyper fearful and anxious but they know they gonn abe ok in the end.

Conspiracy theories are simply slander and lies. And they are dangerous.

WrappedUpinHisLove3 said:

look, i did say i wasn't tryign to be mean. FWIW i have friends who are conspiracy theorists. they are lovely people. they actually, many of them, have a real passion for God. i find they scare me, but i cannot deny their love for Jesus. and they have a capcaity to research pages of google on various conspiracy theories and take in a lot of information- am quite impressed qwith their determination. i guess, if am honest, i am envious of them. they can handle all this doom and gloom stuff, because they are confident they are God's Elect. also am kind of bitter because some of them tell me i am a aheretic and destined for eternal hellfire. which doesnt sit well with me- who wants to hear that?

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My biggest problem with your post was the mass "grouping" of all of these belief types.

Kinda like "if you believe one.. you believe them all.".. I find that a huge error.

That's why I said what I did.

By the way... If you believe in Christ.. you're not doomed to hell fire...

WrappedUpinHisLove3 said:

to be fair, they are more serious christians than i am. and that is what gets on my wick. they just make me realise i am rubbish compare to them. they know their standing with God is secure because they are not living in any compromise.

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You're not "rubbish".. Anyone of any belief set should not make others, that disagree with them, feel like they are lower, more ignorant, less intelligent, more blind.. or whatever.

WrappedUpinHisLove3 said:

there are two types of born again christians in heaven. people like these mentioned, who have a reward and are crowned. then there are compromised lukewarm types like me- we get in but we are not rewarded.

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I agree that there are rewards in heaven.. However, the number of gifts that Christians have is numerous.. Our rewards will be for our accomplishments with His strength to do His work and accomplish His will for us...

You will not be without reward.

WrappedUpinHisLove3 said:

and i guess we probably get some kind of chewing and spitting out because God says our lukewarmness is nauseous to Him (makes Him vomit). so yes, i am the second type of saved christian, i guess. i listen sometimes to Bethel music. (musically a bit rubbish- i prefer Bach, to be honest- but the lyrics really speak to me), i have been known to read Joyce Meyer, Graham Cooke, etc all the grace based types. i am very worldly- i never fast these days (diabetic), and i tend to give when i can afford it rather than tithing every week (because if it comes to choosing to pay my bills or eating vs tithing, i will choose to pay bills or actually eat). i guess these truther types may be hyper fearful and anxious but they know they gonn abe ok in the end.

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Just because they follow certain theories and search difficult questions that you don't have an interest in does not make you a "bad Christian".. nor does it make them a "better" Christian.

Many "non" Christians follow some of the same theories.

JacksBratt said:

My biggest problem with your post was the mass "grouping" of all of these belief types.

Kinda like "if you believe one.. you believe them all.".. I find that a huge error.

That's why I said what I did.

By the way... If you believe in Christ.. you're not doomed to hell fire...

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thank you for correcting me. in hindsight, i think you have made a good point. i think i was being a bit harsh when i made those points. actually i was doing it in a mood of flippancy. am sorry. it wasn;t appropriate to this thread. am sorry if i have hurt anyone's feelings.
and apologies to @CarlEmerson for hijackin the thread with my flippancy.

NOTE TO SELF: think before you post, stupidhead!

Michie said:

Conspiracy theories are simply slander and lies. And they are dangerous.

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Yep.... until they turn out to be true.. then everyone is a believer and never said anything bad about them...

Grouping "all" conspiracy theories as one big bunch of lies and errors.. is a really big mistake.

WrappedUpinHisLove3 said:

thank you for correcting me. in hindsight, i think you have made a good point. i think i was being a bit harsh when i made those points. actually i was doing it in a mood of flippancy. am sorry. it wasn;t appropriate to this thread. am sorry if i have hurt anyone's feelings.
and apologies to @CarlEmerson for hijackin the thread with my flippancy.

NOTE TO SELF: think before you post, stupidhead!

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No worries.. Probably one of the best apologies I've seen here..

We all hit "Post Reply" sometimes and find out later.. should of hit "delete" or sat on it for a while and did an edit or two...

JacksBratt said:

Yep.... until they turn out to be true.. then everyone is a believer and never said anything bad about them...

Grouping "all" conspiracy theories as one big bunch of lies and errors.. is a really big mistake.

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The ones I’ve seen here and what some of my family members believe are just dangerous lies. I’m of the opinion Christians should not entertain them. But there is no use discussing this with a conspiracy theorist because no amount of facts satisfies them.

JacksBratt said:

No worries.. Probably one of the best apologies I've seen here..

We all hit "Post Reply" sometimes and find out later.. should of hit "delete" or sat on it for a while and did an edit or two...

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am glad am not alone in this!