Conspiracy theories drawing believers from the faith

Brian Mcnamee · Apr 22, 2019

Hi the label conspiracy theory is one that is a vast file and relegates anything in it as not true or even possible. This kind of broad brush can be used to get people to stop thinking critically and dismiss things that my be true by lumping them in this file. The scriptures teach we wrestle against powers and principalities in high places and that Satan is here to rob, steal, kill and destroy. Psalm 2 speaks of a day when the nations will take counsel together against the LORD and His anointed and try to cast off their bonds from them. Dan speaks of one rising who understands sinister schemes and will cause deceit to prosper. So if we are approaching the rise of antichrist what should we expect to be seeing? Each event should be studied and debated on its own merit. For sure there are some crazy ideas out there. As far as losing faith over these things I have found it strengthens mine as part of these conspiracy ideas is creating a one world government with a one world financial system. This certainly relates to Bible prophecy. There are some basics for believing anyone and that is do they have a track record of telling the truth and a record of good moral character. I have found historical evidence of massive lying and intentional harm of its citizens by the US government going back a long time. This is the kind of trust that is now broken calls many of their actions and statements into question.

Romans 8 · Apr 22, 2019

Brian Mcnamee said:
For sure there are some crazy ideas out there.

Some put there intentionally as a smokescreen for those without the time to do proper investigation or ability to navigate through treacherous waters. Others to paint a wide brush and discount anything which opposes government and or, authoritative organizations.

As far as losing faith over these things I have found it strengthens mine as part of these conspiracy ideas is creating a one world government with a one world financial system. This certainly relates to Bible prophecy. There are some basics for believing anyone and that is do they have a track record of telling the truth and a record of good moral character. I have found historical evidence of massive lying and intentional harm of its citizens by the US government going back a long time. This is the kind of trust that is now broken calls many of their actions and statements into question.

I wasn't going to go there (one world government) as it opens up another can of worms but we're already in it. The evidence cannot be denied, though some will even argue against this.

Calvin_1985 · Apr 22, 2019

Petros2015 said:
Yes it's a real problem.

Often, as they do so, they profess that it is *because* of their faith they are going down the rabbit hole.

Usually the conspiracy involves some sort of professed biblical linkage to the lie that is presented, for example Nibiru promoters tie it in to a biblical apocolypse or something.

Conspiracy theorists love to rope paranoid undiscerning Christians in - tie it to a bible verse they are expecting to come true, present a lot of false evidence, a lot of supporting sources that draw from sources that are completely made up, tell them everyone is lying to them... boom. Gotcha.

I thought I had seen the last of this in 2012, but it *STILL* comes up, pastors encouraging others to pray that Nibiru's course changes. My gf showed me a large workbook from a end-times revelation workshop her church had done. Nibiru was included in it. *groan*

Truth will set you free; take the time to learn it and value it.

Nibiru cataclysm - Wikipedia

Sketcher · Apr 22, 2019

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.

I think that's a subset of them. In particular, a subset that has trouble assessing quality sources of information.

Lost4words · Apr 22, 2019

Romans 8 said:
Some put there intentionally as a smokescreen for those without the time to do proper investigation or ability to navigate through treacherous waters. Others to paint a wide brush and discount anything which opposes government and or, authoritative organizations.

I wasn't going to go there (one world government) as it opens up another can of worms but we're already in it. The evidence cannot be denied, though some will even argue against this.

Calvin_1985 · Apr 22, 2019

It's insane that local Churches are buying into conspiracies(funny my autocorrected to conspiracy lies)left and right now preaching them from pulpit, yet it doesn't surprise me.

Lost4words · Apr 22, 2019

So many gullible people in the world. Eager to believe these conspiracy theories. Youtube is awash with them.

JacksBratt · Apr 22, 2019

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.

Do you have some specific conspiracy theories? Can you tell me how each one draws a person from faith?

I know of several conspiracy theories but from what I can see, none of them draw people away from faith.

They may bring up questions as to the legitimacy of our controlling and governing bodies, and the media.. but I don't see how they would draw someone from faith in Christ.

Petros2015 · Apr 22, 2019

JacksBratt said:
I don't see how they would draw someone from faith in Christ.

People like this would draw someone from faith in Christ.

David Meade (author) - Wikipedia

Anyone who associates these kind of lies with Christianity, and sees Christians supporting them, isn't going to touch it with a 10 foot pole.

Petros2015 · Apr 22, 2019

Bwahah. I love this part in his bibliography of self published works:

Meade, David. (2 May 2013) Fraud Prevention. Self-published on eBookIt.com ASIN B00CMJO7U6

friend of · Apr 22, 2019

Carl Emerson said:
Is this a basic crisis of relating to authority.

Is it that authorities are becoming more corrupt?

I'll make this very simple. Politics and big business have always had an incestuous relationship. Money begats power and power begats money. Those who are rich in this world are already prone to enmity against Christ's mission Mark 10:25 The financial elite desire more and more and don't care what happens to anyone else because that's the M.O. of their international, ultra-wealthy peer group. Due to lack of scruples, people who make their way into positions of authority are that much more likely to give in to bribery.

Yes, corruption is getting worse everywhere, but it's also always been really bad everywhere, only now there's just more revelation of it today.

JacksBratt · Apr 22, 2019

Petros2015 said:
People like this would draw someone from faith in Christ.

David Meade (author) - Wikipedia

Anyone who associates these kind of lies with Christianity, and sees Christians supporting them, isn't going to touch it with a 10 foot pole.

Well, I agree with you there. I think that anyone that has ever read any of the bible would understand that as soon as someone sets a date... for anything.. they are a fraud.

When you said "conspiracy theory" I was thinking more of JFK, The World Trade center, Sandy Hook and stuff like that.

To me, these don't have any significance when it comes to Christianity and drawing or repelling people or contradicting scripture...

If David Meade was so sure of himself.. he might use his real name. Others have done so. Maybe he is not quite as certain and doesn't want to be known as one of the others who predicted and were wrong.

Gregory Thompson · Apr 22, 2019

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.

If authority is not being accepted in general, perhaps it is following the pattern of the world instead of what Jesus taught, it is written that His sheep will follow His voice.

AppleGold · Apr 22, 2019

JacksBratt said:
Do you have some specific conspiracy theories? Can you tell me how each one draws a person from faith?

I know of several conspiracy theories but from what I can see, none of them draw people away from faith.

They may bring up questions as to the legitimacy of our controlling and governing bodies, and the media.. but I don't see how they would draw someone from faith in Christ.

Have you ever read the "The Biggest Secret. The Book that will change the World." I have, it is about shape-shifting reptilian humanoids living amongst the human race. Though just about everything in that book is off the wall, there is a chapter or two in the book with the author telling us that blind faith is enslaving us. David Icke is an atheist, or maybe Agnostic. There is also a certain page in the book that says many gods came before Jesus and Jesus is a copy cat. He makes an arguement that Krishna, Osiris, Mithra and many other deteis did almost exactly the same thing Jesus did. I've read the book and came to the conclusion that 80 to 100 percent of that book is false. But it is a book that if you believe in any part of it, will cause you to read up on other books to investigate, so that you can cross-reference the book.

JacksBratt · Apr 22, 2019

AppleGold said:
Have you ever read the "The Biggest Secret. The Book that will change the World." I have, it is about shape-shifting reptilian humanoids living amongst the human race. Though just about everything in that book is off the wall, there is a chapter or two in the book with the author telling us that blind faith is enslaving us. David Icke is an atheist, or maybe Agnostic. There is also a certain page in the book that says many gods came before Jesus and Jesus is a copy cat. He makes an arguement that Krishna, Osiris, Mithra and many other deteis did almost exactly the same thing Jesus did. I've read the book and came to the conclusion that 80 to 100 percent of that book is false. But it is a book that if you believe in any part of it, will cause you to read up on other books to investigate, so that you can cross-reference the book.

Ya, that's a little to far out for me.

Gideons300 · Apr 22, 2019

JackRT said:
Over the last while I have been pondering a phenomenon that has actually been going for a very long time. I am referring to Denialists and Conspiracy Theorists. While they might seem to be different behaviours, I think they have a commonality in the sort of mind that subscribes to them. What also struck me as curious is the number of them that are centered around science, technology and medicine. Let me list a few.

>> the link between tobacco and cancer, particularly lung cancer

>> the fluoridation of water supplies to prevent tooth decay

>> the role of chlorofluorinated hydrocarbons in the deterioration of the ozone layer

>> the build up of DDT in the food chain and its effect on both reproduction success in birds and human health.

>> the link between HIV and AIDS

>> the role of vaccination in causing other health issues

>> the historicity of the moon landings

>>UFOs and aliens

>>flat earth

>> chemtrails

>> the human role in CO2 production and climate change

This is hardly an exhaustive list and it is easy to also point out others that have very little, if any, linkage to science, technology or medicine. For example, the historicity of the Holocaust, of the Twin Towers, of the assassination of President Kennedy and of both President Obama's birth place and religion.

What most puzzles me most is the state of mind of both those who advocate these theories and those who so readily subscribe to them. I will throw out a few random thoughts here in the hope that they will generate some discussion.

>> fear and powerlessness --- people feel overwhelmed by events that are beyond their control and require a scapegoat on which to pin their frustration and their anger.

>> fear and ignorance --- people are frightened by their own lack of understanding of the concepts and issues involved and suggest that 'the intellectuals' are trying to put one over on them.

>> the 'little guy syndrome' --- people fear big organizations, big government in particular, and feel the need to lash out at them by suggesting that the little guy is being somehow exploited.

>>contrarianism --- some people love to be different just for the sake of it

>>special knowledge syndrome --- a form of elitism where people like to feel they have some special or secret knowledge that makes them feel smarter and/or better informed than the rest, even if it doesn't have much practical application.

>> religion and political ideologies --- in at least a few cases the culprit is viewed as challenging religious and/or political beliefs.

To illustrate this last point we could look at two examples.

Political --- the fluoridation of water supplies to prevent tooth decay was opposed as a tactic by communists to poison the whole nation. This was particularly effective in the days of the 'red menace' but has a modern counterpart in the paranoia surrounding international terrorism.

Religious --- new technologies are viewed as challenging religious understandings. This goes back a long way in history. Two hundred years ago Timothy Dwight, Presbyterian minister and president of Yale University wrote “If God had decreed from all eternity that a certain person should die of smallpox, it would be a frightful sin to avoid and annul that decree by the trick of vaccination.” Today we see an echo of that religious fear in the debate surrounding stem cell research.

My final observation is that it seems to me that denialists, conspiracy theorists, and biblical fundamentalists / creationists are often the same people.

The connection between lung cancer and smoking is a conspiracy theory? Really?

JackRT · Apr 22, 2019

Gideons300 said:
The connection between lung cancer and smoking is a conspiracy theory? Really?

My post was dealing with both conspiracy theories and denialism. Forty to fifty years ago there was plenty of denialism surrounding smoking and cancer.

Petros2015 · Apr 22, 2019

AppleGold said:
I've read the book and came to the conclusion that 80 to 100 percent of that book is false. But it is a book that if you believe in any part of it, will cause you to read up on other books to investigate, so that you can cross-reference the book.

Someone writes a book that is 80%+ lies....And down the rabbit hole we go... I havent read the book but I'm familiar with Icke through vids and other discussions.

I like the part where they are intra dimensional reptilian though, manifesting only through certain bloodlines like the Kennedys. Eventually this gets tied back to the snake in genesis.

Someone on here once posted something probably stemming from Icke's camp. Their article backed itself up citing a Jewish source which I looked up and of course discovered had nothing whatsoever to do with reptilian Adam & eve's, or whatever else the article that referenced it as a source was taking about.

The layers of lies are intricate and exhausting with these things. At first it was entertaining and amusing to me: these days I find it pretty disturbing.

Gideons300 · Apr 22, 2019

JackRT said:
My post was dealing with both conspiracy theories and denialism. Forty to fifty years ago there was plenty of denialism surrounding smoking and cancer.

Got it. Now I understand.

Blessings,

Gideon

JackRT · Apr 22, 2019

If people arrive at their belief system without evidence or logic, then it is next to impossible to disabuse them of their beliefs using evidence and logic. But it seems that they will subscribe to an even more bizarre belief system without a problem. This suggests to me that this might be a mental health problem.

Conspiracy theories drawing believers from the faith

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