Christian Conspiracy Theorists

George B said:

Do you think Christians are more likely to believe conspiracies than others . . . ? or do you think religious people in general more likely to believe in conspiracy theories?

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There's a point of view that Al Qaida itself was built on the conspiracy theory that the US is fundamentally responsible for ALL the problems in muslim countries, disregarding the despots who have controlled, for example, Saudi Arabia since the beginning. While it is demonstrably true that the US will support whoever will do best by the needs of their corporations, the same is and always has been true of other western powers like Britain and France. That OBL himself was from a ridiculously privileged background, bought and paid for with western cash, seems to have been ignored.

I no longer live in the US*, so I can't say whether belief in CTs is predominantly christian there. From my own experience, most people I know who have fallen into the web of paranoia are either agnostic/atheist or have alternative beliefs. As far as I can tell, in the US you are more likely to fall for CTs if you already lean to the right. This might be because the right in the US preach deregulation, are pro-guns, and complain about 'big government'. It seems clear also that the talking heads on the right have a rather predictable habit of using the bible, of referring to America as a christian nation, and observe that God is on their side.

*I'm not really sure I can say I lived in the US; I lived in NYC. Whenever I left the Apple to visit other places it felt like I'd arrived in another world.

hiper said:

Humanity is one big cult...and any group that deviates from it is ironically called a 'cult' prone to thinking like 'conspiracy theorists'.
This is nothing more than a defense mechanism of the human herd to label and explain any deviation by some of it's members to the majority.

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Absolute, utter tosh. Please tell me in what way humanity is one big cult, if only to enlighten us as to what you think a cult is.

I don't like to see psychotic Christian conspiracies, because then ALL Christians can be labeled. Look at Westboro Baptist I'm Christian and I would hope people who read about these types don't judge all Christians. I know faith belies the physical prove sought after, especially on this site where EVERYTHING is about tangible physical proof. But I do believe faith and beliefs in that which cannot be seen should be valid as well to the individual. When dealing with Christian conspiracy theorists, I believe one should approach them like ANY other CT. They just use God as their point of reference and not Aliens, or the CIA or Bill O'Reilly. Lol I hope I'm making sense. I like the moderate moderation, I'm going to use that

Oh, and this right here

"I think as Christians, we are the most privileged people on the planet."

Is really violating a basic tenet of Christianity, and that's HUMILITY... It's something I loath seeing

Cairenn said:

I see a lot of similarity in CT believers and cults. The 'belief' is more important than any fact is. Look at how a certain poster here reacts to me.

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You are almost right in your description. I think the use of the word "cult" is a misnomer. A far better label would be fundamentalist or far-right Christian. These are ones that believe in the supernatural and end times prophecies. I counted myself among such persons for many years until re-discovering reason, atheism, and the writings of Thomas Paine. So I speak with a modicum of authority on such matters having thought like them.

Mick West said:

This popped up in a Google alert:

http://www.watchmanscry.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=23

It seems to be a forum for people who are fundamentalist Christians, and also pretty serious conspiracy theorists. quite a fascinating mix. This comment quite surprised me:

http://www.watchmanscry.com/forum/showthread.php?p=227371

I think as Christians, we are the most privileged people on the planet. Because in a world of confusion and lies we have a solid truth to stand on with the Word of God. Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. Romans 3:4

Astonishing certainty, mixed with distrust of everything else.

They debunk the Fake CNN coverage of the Gulf war. I was kinda sad, to be honest : ( I really liked believing that the media was lying to us. I know that is terrible to admit. But if I say I love truth then I need to consider this information right? I don't think they proved it was real at all, but they did help to me question it a little.

He was sad, because he preferred it when the media was lying! He liked the fantasy, and is struggling to get away from it because he likes it.

Anyway, not poking fun here, just quite fascinating.

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As I briefly read through a few threads its interesting to note that there are many references and links to articles from that beforeitsnews site...

The most telling comment is

"Vaccines are not harmful. I disagree, no matter how much "proof" that "experts" give me."

This fundamental religious thinking is simply the end of rational thought - no ifs no buts, just evidence-less "belief"

You may as well believe in unicorns and fairies

Alhazred The Sane said:

There's a point of view that Al Qaida itself was built on the conspiracy theory that the US is fundamentally responsible for ALL the problems in muslim countries, disregarding the despots who have controlled, for example, Saudi Arabia since the beginning. While it is demonstrably true that the US will support whoever will do best by the needs of their corporations, the same is and always has been true of other western powers like Britain and France. That OBL himself was from a ridiculously privileged background, bought and paid for with western cash, seems to have been ignored.

I no longer live in the US*, so I can't say whether belief in CTs is predominantly christian there. From my own experience, most people I know who have fallen into the web of paranoia are either agnostic/atheist or have alternative beliefs. As far as I can tell, in the US you are more likely to fall for CTs if you already lean to the right. This might be because the right in the US preach deregulation, are pro-guns, and complain about 'big government'. It seems clear also that the talking heads on the right have a rather predictable habit of using the bible, of referring to America as a christian nation, and observe that God is on their side.

*I'm not really sure I can say I lived in the US; I lived in NYC. Whenever I left the Apple to visit other places it felt like I'd arrived in another world.

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If you're willing to accept that a man walked on water and ascended into the sky, you are more likely to accept the idea of Satan and his minions controlling world government. If you are prone to anxiety-induced paranoia, you probably believe in a Satanic conspiracy. Not every self-proclaimed fundamentalist Christian tries to see the devil in every nook and cranny. Some of them are born into a family of believers or married to a spouse who believes. Therefore, they play along for appearances sake or for their loved ones sake - even if they don't buy into the more supernatural claims found in the bible. However, that's only an observation on my part and I can't provide scholarly reference to that notion.

The lunatic fringe, while increasingly prevalent post-9/11, still remains a small segment of the fundamentalist Christian church. It can be found predominantly in the more biblical literalist denominations, such as the Independent Fundamentalist Baptist churches of which I was once a member. They believe political leftists and Hollywood are controlled by the Devil. This supernatural outlook of the world is likewise prevalent in poor communities and third world countries, where higher education is virtually non-existent. Recent research proves this theory to be true (I'll offer scientific references upon request). This then begs the question: If education and it's curriculum were geared toward circumventing such supernatural notions, would Satanic conspiracies be as persistent as they are now on the Internet?

I personally credit "The Age of Reason" by Thomas Paine with changing my life and helping me to shed all notions of the supernatural. That, and Annie Besant's "My Path to Atheism" stand as light bearers to reason and logic for me (I find Dawkins to be a bit too brash for my liking). However, these giants of intellectualism and enlightenment didn't happen upon me until far too late in life - last year. I'm 36. It should have been required reading in high school. Anyway, maybe if we can reach people when they are young, through education, they won't be given over to absurd conspiracy theories and supernatural fairy tales and any religious indoctrination can be undone.

Mick West said:

This popped up in a Google alert:

http://www.watchmanscry.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=23

It seems to be a forum for people who are fundamentalist Christians, and also pretty serious conspiracy theorists. quite a fascinating mix. This comment quite surprised me:

http://www.watchmanscry.com/forum/showthread.php?p=227371

I think as Christians, we are the most privileged people on the planet. Because in a world of confusion and lies we have a solid truth to stand on with the Word of God. Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. Romans 3:4

Astonishing certainty, mixed with distrust of everything else.

They debunk the Fake CNN coverage of the Gulf war. I was kinda sad, to be honest : ( I really liked believing that the media was lying to us. I know that is terrible to admit. But if I say I love truth then I need to consider this information right? I don't think they proved it was real at all, but they did help to me question it a little.

He was sad, because he preferred it when the media was lying! He liked the fantasy, and is struggling to get away from it because he likes it.

Anyway, not poking fun here, just quite fascinating.

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From what I have seen, like any other group there are different ways they go about it.
The christians I have problems with in regards to CT are the scripture quoting ones. The ones that quote scripture to explain anything. Scripture quoting christians also tend to follow CT That has no end or no way to change the outcome. It will usually be run by a 'great evil' of whatever other religion.
It is really strange to me. Sort of like having blind faith in life equals no end, so too do stories with no end.