How can I stop myself being addicted to conspiracies ?

[bèlla]

And conversely many of the problems we don’t have are also the result of the involvement of scientists.

Scientific intervention in areas outside of food isn't the focus. Nor is it necessary to debate the merits of their usefulness in areas beyond the subject. We're aware of the problems with commercial farming and the solutions the majority prefer. But it isn't the priority of large producers nor will smaller farms become the norm.

They know how to grow food sustainably and practice crop rotation and increase the yields without harmful chemicals. It's part of the curriculum in agriculture school and the knowledge isn't difficult to come by. Money isn't the whole of the problem but its significant enough for them to do otherwise.

They're not going to lower the price to give consumers a better product. You'll never get organic food at conventional prices. The majority can't afford it and there's no incentive to change that. They can offer the masses the norm and sell specialty items for those who desire them. That's how the market works and you'll find the same replicated in other industries.

American products are banned in other countries for a reason or the ingredients are altered to satisfy their requirements. They're not incapable of doing better. But if the government doesn't require it why bother.

Such are the realities of living in a capitalistic society. You can't expect them to do the right thing or be altruistic when they've demonstrated otherwise. Making provisions for yourself and your household is the practical response.

~bella

 

[The Liturgist]

Such are the realities of living in a capitalistic society.

Are you not aware of the fact that most of the environmental catastrophes the world is facing right now are due to the excesses of Communist and Socialist nations like the People’s Republic of China, the former Union of Soviet socialist Republics (which managed to drain one of the largest lakes on Earth, the Aral Sea, in a massive environmental disaster, and what is more, this has turned an island where the Soviets conducted germ warfare experiments into a hill, which is really very bad), not to mention Chernobyl and massive chemical contamination, and in the case of Brazil, the inability of their corrupt socialist regime to do anything about deforestation of the rainforest (this is also a problem in the socialist regimes of Mexico and Central America and other Latin American states, very few of which seem to have sensible governments)?

The most capitalist nations like the US and Canada and the European Union are also among the most environmentally responsible.

 

[The Liturgist]

How can I stop myself being addicted to conspiracies ?

Ever since I was a kid I've rebelled against authority & I love to join all the dots.
I was only 10 years old when I tried to join the dots concerning the book of Revelation.

As I grew older I would buy any conspiracy book I could get my hands on & even joined forums such as 'David Icke' which was wrong as most members on there are far from being Christians.

It was only when I discovered that earth is flat that I truly became a Christian & have read the Bible numerous of times, & the fact that I should be dead right now if God hadn't give me a second chance.

I have truly prayed about my addiction but God has truly laid it on my heart heavy about the shape of the earth.

I thank you for listening to me

Now, are you still wanting to not be addicted to these conspiracies? Because as I see it, “discovering” the Earth is flat is not a good foundation, so to speak, for a robust Christian faith. Your faith should be built around Christ and exclude secular considerations.

What you don’t realize is that by investing so heavily in these conspiracy theories, you are actually creating an impediment to people becoming Christian, by reinforcing negative stereotypes about our religion. It is always better to say nothing at all, than to risk slandering someone, even accidentally.

Thus the solution is to set all of this aside and simply focus on Christ. Christianity as a religion is not about the shape of the Earth, but about Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. If you focus on that, you won’t be addicted to conspiracies.

 

[bèlla]

Are you not aware of the fact that most of the environmental catastrophes the world is facing right now....

Once again you're going in a direction that isn't pertinent to the problem we're addressing. People who voice concerns along the lines @Apple Sky expressed aren't expecting to be fed by other countries nor are homesteaders for that matter. They're focused on issues on our soil and there's a forum that attests to this.

If buying or selling is a concern availability at home is the priority and that's what we discuss.

~bella

 

[Apple Sky]

Thus the solution is to set all of this aside and simply focus on Christ. Christianity as a religion is not about the shape of the Earth, but about Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. If you focus on that, you won’t be addicted to conspiracies.

Thank you for you post Liturgist -Your absolutely right but the flat earth & cosmology, no can do - Sorry.

Blessings

 

[The Liturgist]

Thank you for you post Liturgist -Your absolutely right but the flat earth & cosmology, no can do - Sorry.

Blessings

Why not? Why can’t you focus on Jesus Christ? You posted this thread asking for help.

You do realize that no one would be arguing with you about your beliefs on the Flat Earth if you did not vocalize them to such an extent?

By holding these beliefs privately, you avoid the risk of accidentally slandering someone in the event you are mistaken.

 

[bèlla]

Thank you for you post Liturgist -Your absolutely right but the flat earth & cosmology, no can do - Sorry.

It doesn't have to be either or. You can believe in Christ and question the things you encounter. No one should believe everything they hear. But the key is not allowing the questions to rob you of your peace of mind or draw you away from God. Take your questions and concerns to Him.

I weigh issues subjectively. Some topics aren't worthy of exploring. If I stumble upon the truth I'll adjust my thinking. But I'm not looking for answers everywhere. I gauge the impact and significance for deception or harm before proceeding.

I've never explored flat earth debates for that reason. That doesn't mean they're incorrect. But the long term effect of deceit isn't as pertinent as it is in other areas. Consideration keeps you balanced and grounded.

~bella

 

[Apple Sky]

By holding these beliefs privately, you avoid the risk of accidentally slandering someone in the event you are mistaken.

It needs to be out there...........

Luke 12:3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

 

[bèlla]

It needs to be out there...........

Luke 12:3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

Is that the issue you're most passionate about or are others equally concerning?

~bella

 

[public hermit]

How can I stop myself being addicted to conspiracies ?

Ever since I was a kid I've rebelled against authority & I love to join all the dots.
I was only 10 years old when I tried to join the dots concerning the book of Revelation.

As I grew older I would buy any conspiracy book I could get my hands on & even joined forums such as 'David Icke' which was wrong as most members on there are far from being Christians.

It was only when I discovered that earth is flat that I truly became a Christian & have read the Bible numerous of times, & the fact that I should be dead right now if God hadn't give me a second chance.

I have truly prayed about my addiction but God has truly laid it on my heart heavy about the shape of the earth.

I thank you for listening to me

I'm sure this has been said, but God can work with us from any starting point. Consider your situation. Believing the earth is flat, although not accurate, functioned as a gateway. It sparked your interest, and that's sufficient even if that's its only function. If an error brings you around to something true, then it's a happy accident or, better, an instance of divine grace toward you. But holding on to the error works against you since it has already fulfilled it's function, i.e., to get you interested.

Concerning a tendency toward conspiracies, I think it's counterproductive to proceed under the assumption that the usual account or explanation for things is always wrong, which seems to be the case if someone always opts for the conspiracy. The usual accounts can be wrong, for sure, but just imagine the case if every usual explanation was wrong and some surreptitious explanation was always true. We wouldn't be able to function. Practically speaking, it's only because commonly held accounts and explanations are often tracking something true that we can survive and even flourish. Are there actual conspiracies? Yes, but always assuming the conspiracy is closer to the truth can't be the default position.

To me, conspiracies used to be fun and interesting subjects for discussion, and I could engage without the sense that it was somehow the truth, but things have changed. Nowadays, people often take them way too seriously for my taste.

At this point, I tend to think people like the sense of power and control they get because they "know" the real truth, the truth all the others don't see. The harsh critique is to say habitual belief in conspiracies is more about ego/power/control than about truth. A more generous critique is to say it's a desire to know the truth in a scary and unpredictable world, and I can understand that. Still, our ability not just to know the truth but to know the truth together, as far as possible, is key to living our best lives, the lives for which we are created.

 

[rturner76]

How can I stop myself being addicted to conspiracies ?

Ever since I was a kid I've rebelled against authority & I love to join all the dots.
I was only 10 years old when I tried to join the dots concerning the book of Revelation.

As I grew older I would buy any conspiracy book I could get my hands on & even joined forums such as 'David Icke' which was wrong as most members on there are far from being Christians.

It was only when I discovered that earth is flat that I truly became a Christian & have read the Bible numerous of times, & the fact that I should be dead right now if God hadn't give me a second chance.

I have truly prayed about my addiction but God has truly laid it on my heart heavy about the shape of the earth.

I thank you for listening to me

I think we all want to seek the truth. The father of lies makes lies believable. The way he manipulated Eve in the garden.

I don't like to give "advice" so I'll just say what helps me. I try to make sure that I separate matters of faith and the spirit and matters of the physical world. While many things that we are faith in are true, I try to be objective when it comes to the physical world. In matters of faith, we believe without physical proof but in the physical world, it is easier for me to believe facts and empirical evidence.

We have stories in the Bible that must be believed on faith because even though events have been recorded in a historical sense, we have only the testimony of the writer. We can't go back in time and witness events ourselves. That is a spiritual matter and part of our spiritual life is believing what we can't see. In other words, faith..

As for the physical world., it is possible to obtain objective truth by looking at evidence and we don't and shouldn't take physical real-time matters on faith. Especially when there is evidence to the contrary. It's the "believe it when I see it" concept in my mind. We want an answer to a question about the physical world, we can find evidence and make a decision based on our observation of evidence.

I would say, do your best and search for verifiable evidence.

One other thing, I also subscribe to a dew "conspiracy theories" which I see as "the real truth" and I think that what draws us to them is the idea that we have this special insight that nobody else knows about, It basically makes us feel special. I have found evidence for some of mine but that evidence is often dismissed as "fake news" even when I find government documentation to support the theory. So I think once in a while we may get it right but evidence is the key to making informed decisions about what is fact and what is our truth.

 

[bèlla]

A more generous critique is to say it's a desire to know the truth in a scary and unpredictable world, and I can understand that. Still, our ability not just to know the truth but to know the truth together, as far as possible, is key to living our best lives, the lives for which we are created.

There has to be a willingness to acknowledge uncertainty, error or an inability to unearth the facts. There's a lot of things we don't have access to and we have to make peace with it. That's the primary reason I never joined a conspiracy site in the past. They're always churning and I don't believe that's conducive to a healthy mindset.

But togetherness was the turning point. Hearing a group of people from different backgrounds interacting respectfully, sharing information, and learning and supporting one another was powerful. They weren't arguing, debating, debunking opinions or making sport of what was said. They respected one another and it showed. A community of likeminded people doing the same can yield results. But I wouldn't be bothered if that wasn't the case.

~bella

 

[The Liturgist]

It needs to be out there...........

Luke 12:3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

Which refers to spreading the Gospel. It has nothing to do with promulgating your own beliefs about the nature of the world, but rather about spreading the good news that we can be saved through following our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

[The Liturgist]

@Apple Sky

Here is what you need to do:

1. Formulate a consistent theory based on your own interpretation of Scripture, that is testable (each item has to be something you can test, which could prove or falsify the theory, for example, airline flights in the Southern Hemisphere or observations that could show you personally the shape of the Earth). You have to be willing to either test the theory yourself or not.
2. Ask Christians who believe in a non-Flat Earth for their theories.
3. Working with a Christian who believes in Earth as explained by mainstream science, and perhaps a neutral Christian who is undecided on some issues, evaluate the different theories in a rigorous manner, taking steps to avoid confirmation bias and with an open mind, and in this manner you can determine the truth.

If we, who say the Earth is flat are wrong, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain, whereas conversely if we are right, you also have nothing to lose and everything to gain, because by knowing the truth, you would have chance to repent of having accused different people in the aerospace industry, and NASA, of intentional dishonesty.

Right now, the main issue with your arguments is that you refuse to do anything to test them, and they are also inconsistent on seemingly all points except the idea that the world is flat, but concerning the mechanics of how the world is flat, you haven’t solidified your perspective on various issues that pertain to that. You don’t have an explanation for flights in the Southern Hemisphere, you have denied and are now claiming the existence of Antarctica in other threads, and so on, whereas most Flat Earthers have a model and are at least willing to try experimental verification. For example, some Flat Earthers bought a laser gyroscope, the same model used in Inertial Reference Units on aircraft, to see if it recorded an inertial drift consistent with the rotation of the Earth.

If you don’t know what an inertial drift is, you have to find out.

 

[Michie]

Bumping it up as a reminder of help asked by the op.

 

[boughtwithaprice]

We stop worrying about conspiracies when we decide to obey God. We pray to detach our hearts from material things and the esteem of the world.

God loves you, he died for you while you were yet a sinner. That goes for all of us.

He has died for us, He asks us to deny ourselves and follow in His footsteps. We die to the world, it no longer matters, we live for Christ.
That is the way of the cross.

Conspiracy theories are our way of trying to hold onto the world which is passing away. Let go. God tells us to love our enemies. Find your worst enemy and figure a way to do something kind to them. The other day was the feast of St Francis of Assisi. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

As for conspiracy theories, the world is going to self destruct, we know that. We just need to obey God