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"I think I found the connection between GMOs and Bigfoot."
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In the 1990s, conspiracy theories were the purview of odd social misfits who spent too much time on the internet, best exemplified by the Lone Gunmen from the X-Files. However, in the last 20 years, especially since 9/11, conspiracy theories have moved into the mainstream of pop culture. (An alternate explanation is that we’ve simply
all become odd social misfits who spend too much time on the internet.) Even now regarding the Covid-19 situation, conspiracy theories abound. Was the virus being developed as biological warfare in China? Did Bill Gates create the virus for the purpose of population control? Is there really no Covid-19 virus, and the entire situation is politically manufactured to defeat Trump in the November election?
Along with conspiracy theories come various reactions to them. One reaction is that of the hard skeptic who denies any conspiracy theory whatsoever. The polar opposite reaction is the gullible person who is quickly and easily persuaded by every conspiracy theory that comes along, no matter how crackpot it is. Most people are somewhere in the middle between the two extremes.
Neither absolute extreme is viable. A quick survey of history will turn up numerous conspiracies that have, as a matter of fact, existed, some successful and some unsuccessful. On the other hand, no reasonable person can believe every conspiracy theory out there. Everyone has to exercise some level of discernment when presented with a conspiracy theory. As a matter of full disclosure, I lean more toward the skeptical side of the spectrum, and find it a reasonable place to be.
However, the main thing I want to discuss in this post is how we should react as Christians to the proliferation of all manner of conspiracy theories on social media. I’ll present some biblical principles, followed by some logical principles, and then I’ll finish up with practical application.
Biblical Principles
As every conspiracy theory is an accusation against someone, the first biblical principle that we should look to is the ninth commandment, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16). Bearing in mind that Jesus made it clear that “neighbor” extends beyond those people we know personally, we should all want to be very careful before saying something publicly like, “George Bush ordered the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11” or “Barack Obama is secretly a Kenyan, Muslim, communist trying to destroy our country.” The ninth commandment demands that we bring no false accusations against others; this would include maliciously lying about someone, but it would also include a false accusation based on inadequate information and evidence.
Speaking of evidence, most conspiracy theories have a huge stack of “evidence” in their favor. However, upon investigation, the evidence generally turns out to be loosely-strung-together facts, speculations, and vague inferences. Evidence ought to be judged by its quality, not by its quantity. In addition to forbidding false witness, the Bible gives a good principle for judging evidence in matters of accusation of wrongdoing: “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established” (Deut. 19:15). It may be objected that, by their nature, conspiracies are secret and therefore eyewitness evidence won’t be forthcoming. To this I would respond that since this is, indeed, the case, we ought to be even more careful about spreading such rumors and accusations.
Logical Principles
Let’s put aside the question of accusation, however, and address the question of belief. Even if we’re not planning on proliferating a theory, how can we satisfy our own personal desire to know whether a conspiracy theory is true or not? Since absolute certainty is impossible, some principles of good reasoning ought to be employed.
First of all it’s helpful to categorize conspiracy theories based on the prima facie likelihood of them being true. Is a conspiracy theory highly unlikely, possibly true, or highly possible? For example, as Chuck Colson famously said of the Watergate conspiracy, “Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world-and they couldn't keep a lie for three weeks.” If this is the case, then what is the likelihood that, since the Age of Exploration, numerous governments throughout the world have really known that the earth is flat, and that, throughout the years, officials from these governments, mariners, pilots, aeronautic workers, etc. have all kept the secret perfectly? Yeah, this one can go in the “impossible” bin. On the other hand, what is the likelihood that Lyndon Johnson had some influence in Lee Harvey Oswald’s assassination of John F. Kennedy? Since numerous similar conspiracies have existed in history, this one might go in the “possible” category and may warrant more investigation.
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Step 1: Convince everyone
the Earth is round.
Step 2: ???
Step 3: Profit.
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Even after an initial assessment of the conspiracy theory, there are other things to be considered concerning the theory’s likelihood. To borrow from the realm of criminal investigation, a conspiracy theory shouldn’t even be considered if it cannot provide a motive, means, and opportunity for the alleged conspirators. Many conspiracy theories fail on the level of motive alone. Is there a real, provable, non-speculative motive behind the conspiracy? Why would world governments want to convince the world that the earth is round if it is indeed flat? Why would the government want to poison us all with fluoride? Why would the government want to use “chemtrails” to make the populace sick? If there’s no known reason for such a thing, you’re pretty safe dismissing the theory altogether.
Christian Response---So What?
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But why did they have to make the drones so messy?
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Let’s say that you’ve done all these things. You have soberly assessed a conspiracy theory to be highly possible. You have discerned a clear motive behind the conspiracy and clear means and opportunity for the conspiracy to be enacted. Going further, you have been convinced by other evidence that the conspiracy is probably real. At this point the question becomes, “So what?”
This is one of the reasons that I gravitate toward the skeptical end of the spectrum with regard to conspiracy theories. Even if I’m wrong and a conspiracy theory turns out to be true, there’s generally no way I could do anything about it anyway. Let’s say the government is poisoning us all with chemtrails. What can I do about that? Nothing. Let’s say that pigeons really are all biomechanical government drones spying on us. What could I do to stop it? Nothing. Or let’s take an example from real life. When it was revealed in 2013 that conspiracy theorists were right and that the government had been collecting call data from cell phones, what did that revelation change? We still go about our lives, and the NSA still collects our data.
One big fear that drives conspiracy theories is the idea that great wickedness is being done in high places, and that the perpetrators are going to get away with it. But, as Christians, we know this is not true. We don’t need to keep tabs on everyone to make sure that justice is done, because we know that God sees everything that happens and will punish evildoers in the end. “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord” (Romans 10:19). When “[t]he kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us,’” God doesn’t have to wait for someone to expose the conspiracy. God’s response is to mock the conspirators, “He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision” (Psalm 2:4).
Even more than this, as Christians, we know that God is sovereign and that He “works all things according to the counsel of His will” (Ephesians 1:11). Even the worst conspiracy of all time, the conspiracy to put Jesus to death, was not outside of His perfect plan: “for truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your plan had predestined to take place”(Acts 4:27-28).
So as far as a Christian reaction to conspiracy theories goes, there are a few principles to keep in mind. First, we need to err on the side of not passing along false witness. This means at the very least taking up a moderately skeptical position toward conspiracy theories. Second, even if a conspiracy theory is true, there’s likely nothing you can do about it. But you can trust God who works all things for good to them that love Him and are called according to His purpose. He can make sure the bad guys get their just due. All you have to do is content yourself in His providence and rely on Him in whatever circumstances He has brought about in your life. Finally, if you spend an inordinate amount of time chasing down these various conspiracies, you can stop and spend your time on better things. Love your family. Read your Bible. Pray that God would give you the comfort of the Holy Spirit and that you would not live in anxiety and fear. Cast your cares upon Him, for He is trustworthy and He is greater than any conspiracy that could ever exist.
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