No, I think Hama is right, for a lot of people, it IS about feeling special, feeling that they are part of some bigger crusading fight against the stuff that is hidden, that THEY don;t want you to know about but yet they have obtained this secret hidden knowledge.
This is a great draw for many people in different ways. Just like when Aleister Crowley said he discovered the secret ancient magick of wise old egyptian mages, if he said he just made it up, no-one would have followed him.
Look on all those adverts that pop up on websites about the secret fad diet that Doctors don't want you to know about, see how famous person shed the pounds with this secret regime!! for only $50, we show YOU how to get the body of your dreams!! etc.