Conspiracies, Elephants, the End of the World,
and You!!!
The following was posted on a "religious" forum in response to multiple pro-conspiracy posts:
Due to the widespread popularity of conspiracy theories and a recent brouhaha in a local COG congregation we spent several months researching some of the theories and the groups who promote them. There is one group of sabbath keepers who have actually substituted a conspiracy gospel in lieu of Christ's gospel.
We submit the following suggestions in the hope that others may find them helpful. :-)
Suggestions on How to Evaluate Conspiracy Theories:
1. Review God's comments first! (a few examples)
Ps 37:12; Ps 140:8; Ecc 9:10-11; Jer 18:11; Job 5:12; Ps 10:2-4; Ps 37:7-8;
Pro 1:20-33; Pro 19:20-21; Jer 11:19-20 Pro 14:17-18; I Tim 1:4-9 Titus 1:10-16;
Rom 16:17-18; Pro 1:17; Acts 4:25-26; II Tim 2:16-15,23-262. (Optional shortcut here) Decline to invest time studying conspiracies in an attempt to separate the facts from the fiction. Instead, invest your time in studying something more profitable in accordance with Phil. 4:8.
3. Realize that all conspiracy theories must include some historical facts and some truth. If Satan lied all the time, truth could be easier to recognize. The presence of some truth does not justify the whole.
4. Dissect the material.
4.1. Go through the material marking all of the generalizations and assumptions. Recognize them by the use of qualifiers such as the following:
apparently, must have been
appeared (to be), appears to have been
seems to have, seems
(is) unclear, are said to
was perhaps, had apparently been
might have seemed, would appear to be
no doubt, ostensibly
whatever (the facts were)These fifteen qualifiers are found on just two of the first pages of a book published in the 1980's which alleges that the Crucifixion was a plot and Christ's death was faked. These are taken from 41 sentences, so the average is one in every third sentence, with seven or eight per page!
4.2 Look for mental leaps that defy or ignore logic.
Note paragraphs that begin with generalizations or assumptions and end with dogmatic statements.For example,
each of the following: .......................appears on the same page with:are convinced (of accuracy)..............a hypothesis
have persuaded us........................... cannot be certain
a serious attempt (to do)...................even if (it's inaccurate)
(theories) explicable..........................may have misconstrued
now make sense...............................if not indeed (all)
would now seem clear......................from this perspective
would also be apparent.....................anomalies, enigmas and unanswered questions
would be apparent............................trivial (and) baffling (elements).......... appeared (to be)
Note that this one page contained only 13 sentences and is a prominent part of the book's final chapter!
4.3 Note attempts to create fear in the mind of the reader.
Keep in mind God's comments regarding fear:Mt 10:28, Lk 12:4-5, Acts 10:35, II Cor 7:1, Ps 64:5-10, Mal 3:16, Phil 2:12-14,
Heb 12:28, Eph 5:11, II Peter 3:17
Examples:
"There is cause for alarm!"
"The government is taking away your rights!"
"Those who won"t submit will be put into concentration camps!"A common element of conspiracy theories is the premise that you have something to fear as a direct result of the conspiracy. Some have proposed the concept that only those who know about and understand "the conspiracy" will be able to escape the tribulation.
Now we even have a "reverse conspiracy" theory---that the false theories are purposely without merit so that people will ignore them thereby allowing the conspiracy to be accomplished in plain sight.
IMO this is just another theory unless one is speaking in terms of Satan and his efforts.4.4 Look for pre-emptive defenses against scholarly analysis such as re-labeling speculative material as:
"accessible" (scholarly research on the topic doesn?t exist)
"readable" (sweeping statements and generalizations)
"a unique synthesis" (ideas that are totally ?off the wall?)
"a workable hypothesis" (sounds good in theory anyway)
"a more comprehensive approach" (as opposed to conventional analysis)
"material beyond the scope of traditional techniques" (myths and legends)
"a flexible approach" (no rules in writing)These approaches are not of themselves wrong but can constitute a mental ambush when used to present speculation supported by complex reasoning in lieu of proof and followed by dogmatic conclusions. By claiming speculation the author attempts to place himself beyond reproof while proceeding to move from speculation to "proven" conclusions.
4.5 Look for techno-babble.
Don't assume word definitions, use a dictionary. If the writer uses difficult or complex words in place of simple ones, re-read the passage substituting the simple for the complex.
Note unrelated words or terms used together creating a confusing statement to imply a conclusion. A writer who is sincerely seeking to"serve" his readers will make concepts clear. One who does not avoid confusing statements may have motives other than service. He may also merely lack the skill to write comprehensible material.4.6 Look for subtle or gradual introduction of themes which begin as speculation or unrelated material, appearing later as possibilities or probabilities and reappearing in the conclusion as now-proven facts.
Sometimes this requires several readings and may even require working backwards through the structure of the composition. With a little practice it is not difficult to learn to quickly recognize this method of writing even upon first reading. One then has to beware of jumping to wrong conclusions or imputing motives.4.7 Note statements designed to stir one to action.
Evaluate whether the proposed action is righteous and in harmony with God?s purpose for us.Examples:
"Are we sitting around doing nothing?" (in the context of actively changing human governments now.)
"Private property will come under government control!" (unless you do something about it.)
"We will be judged by our works, not our prayers!" (in context that prayers about evil governments are not enough, we must take physical action.)
"Resistance requires action!"
(physical) "Resistance to tyranny is honor towards God!"4.8 Understand why people find conspiracy theories interesting:
- everyone enjoys hearing a secret. No one wants to be left out.
-secrets give one a sense of power, wisdom or advantage over others.
-sharing in a secret gives one a sense of belonging to an exclusive group.
-secrets can make one popular (at least with those who also want to know it)
-people may lack for more interesting or challenging study material
-fear, that something unknown may be a threat to them
-those promoting conspiracy theories quickly learn it is a means to wealth and control over others.4.9 Remember that when emotion is present, logic can become difficult and the more emotion is aroused, the more difficult it is to be logical. Excessive emotion can lead to sin. (e.g. We are warned to "be angry and sin not." Eph.4:26.)
5. Understand why conspiracy theories exist:
- men have always conspired with and against each other and shall continue to do so.
-most organizations ultimately exist for their own benefit, to the detriment of the individual, even if they were originally created for good
-Satan started the first conspiracy theory when he suggested to Eve that the reason one fruit was forbidden was because God wanted to maintain power over humans, denying them their "rights" and keeping them in subjection to His "evil" government.
-they are an excellent way for Satan to distract us from studying and pursuing truth and good works.
-people sometimes look for some explanation for their failures or lack of great accomplishments by finding some cause outside their local sphere5.1 Look for logical-sounding, non-logical sequences.
For example:"Elephants eat hay." (fact)
"Everyone knows elephants are gray." (non-specific source, partial fact, some elephants are brown.)
"Gray is a pale color." (subjective opinion)"Perhaps the 4th horseman of Rev.6:8 is riding an elephant?" (speculation)
"After all, everyone knows they both have four legs and eat hay." (fact but irrelevant to the conclusion.)
"Note that Hades follows this horseman!" (emphasis on unrelated fact)
"Many Christians believe Hades is an everburning Hell."(generalization, perhaps fact but irrelevant.)
"Texas suffered a severe drought this year!" (fact)
"Droughts are a sign of the end times!" (fact)
"Many people in Texas suffer from "hay" fever!" (generalization, implied relationship between unrelated items.)
"People will suffer in the end times!" (fact)
"People have been seen riding elephants in Texas but only in recent times." (fact, e.g. circus)
"At the time of the prophecies, there were no elephants in Texas!"(unqualified assumption but probably true, excluding mastodons)
"THEREFORE, it should be obvious to anyone , based on the above facts, that PEOPLE RIDING ELEPHANTS PROVES WE ARE IN THE END TIMES and that IT'S HELL LIVING IN TEXAS IF YOU HAVE HAY FEVER!!!!!"
(a Knievelian leap to a false conclusion or . . . an interesting speculation preceded by absurd reasoning, all supported by "facts".)Speculation can be fun and can possibly lead to a better understanding of subject matter but it should never be offered as anything more than what it is. Care should be taken not to cause "little ones" to stumble.
For information on how to recognize methods of subtle persuasion so as to protect yourself from subliminal persuasion by politicians, advertisers or others, read; "Persuasion--Reception and Responsibility, 2nd Ed." by Charles V. Larson.The book referred to earlier, which proposed that the Crucifixion was a hoax, shall remain unnamed, but it did contain at least two worthwhile comments:
"One should not dismiss material because it threatens to lead into unfamiliar territory."
"...an interdisciplinary approach to one's material...is neither...revolutionary...nor particularly controversial."
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