I was reading an article on the BBC about Quantum entanglement (a whole different subject for whole different thread) and it got me thinking:
There’s a decline in traditional religion in the West. And there seems to be ever growing fanatical beliefs in far fetched conspiracy theories. Is there a connection? Could it be that there is a group of people with an inherent need “to believe” and that conspiracy theories are filling in the gaps left by God disappearing?
Then I read an article in the Volkskrant (Dutch daily paper... Saturday edition 6-3-2021) about the similarities between orthodox Christianity and extreme right-wing groups. Both suffering a sense of loss (to their beliefs, culture, selfs) and connecting on an anti-Islam, anti-change to culture platform. And that both groups are highly susceptible to conspiracy theories.
With both groups using the same tropes: leftist elite, media bias, cancel-culture, etc.
Both groups supporting extremist political candidates and both groups describing “the left” as wallowing in victimhood, whilst at the same time wallowing in victimhood themselves.
The problem with the latter, is that it basically undermines the former.
So, I was wondering what your take on it is: does being religious make you more likely to believe in conspiracy theories? Or do conspiracy theories fill a gap left by a lack of religion?
Or maybe there’s no link between any of it?
@shavixmir said"there seems to be ever growing fanatical beliefs in far fetched conspiracy theories."
I was reading an article on the BBC about Quantum entanglement (a whole different subject for whole different thread) and it got me thinking:
There’s a decline in traditional religion in the West. And there seems to be ever growing fanatical beliefs in far fetched conspiracy theories. Is there a connection? Could it be that there is a group of people with an inherent nee ...[text shortened]... iracy theories fill a gap left by a lack of religion?
Or maybe there’s no link between any of it?
Like Russiagate for example?
People don't have to fabricate evidence if they have any, yet most democrats still believe. Pretty far fetched, right?
@metal-brain saidStick to the topic please.
"there seems to be ever growing fanatical beliefs in far fetched conspiracy theories."
Like Russiagate for example?
People don't have to fabricate evidence if they have any, yet most democrats still believe. Pretty far fetched, right?
@shavixmir saidWhat does religion have to do with far fetched conspiracy theories? There is no correlation other than most people have faith in both.
Stick to the topic please.
@metal-brain saidThat is a correlation, isn’t it?
What does religion have to do with far fetched conspiracy theories? There is no correlation other than most people have faith in both.
@shavixmir saidMore like a coincidence. Correlation does not prove causation.
That is a correlation, isn’t it?
@metal-brain saidI am thinking that the target audience is the same.
What does religion have to do with far fetched conspiracy theories? There is no correlation other than most people have faith in both.
That's the correlation I see.
I would think that you can target a large group of the population that believes the fairy tales in the Bible, and that you can make them believe just about anything.
QAnon is having a field day with 25% of the American population.
@metal-brain saidNeither does coincidence prove causation.
More like a coincidence. Correlation does not prove causation.
So, one does not neccesarily cause the other.
Maybe there’s a singular cause behind both?
@mghrn55 saidYou would think so, but I find people in general are like that. Besides, most people are religious. That makes targeting largely unnecessary, doesn't it?
I am thinking that the target audience is the same.
That's the correlation I see.
I would think that you can target a large group of the population that believes the fairy tales in the Bible, and that you can make them believe just about anything.
QAnon is having a field day with 25% of the American population.
Don't atheists believe in conspiracy theories? Sure they do. I am an atheist and Shav thinks I am a conspiracy theorist. My existence proves your assumption wrong. You need to accept that many people are atheists because life is unfair. They find out how corrupt people are in higher power. They know how petty, ignorant and selfish other people are and it doesn't end after high school.
What Shav doesn't want to accept is that conspiracies happen all the time, especially in politics. He just calls them scandals and other euphemisms because that is what the corporate news media calls them. What is the Iran/Contra scandal? It is a conspiracy. It is no longer a theory.
What was the savings and loan crisis? A conspiracy. Notice the euphemism "crisis" this time.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savings_and_loan_crisis
When Shav sees the word "scandal" or "crisis" he doesn't think of a conspiracy even though he knows what a conspiracy is. Many people don't. That is why the corporate news media uses euphemisms. It is a form of propaganda.
People are being conditioned by propaganda into thinking conspiracies are rare even though they are right under their noses. Parenti explained it well.
Conspiracy and Class Power
@shavixmir saidTrue. Multiple coincidences indicate a causation is likely though. That is where the "theory" part comes in.
Neither does coincidence prove causation.
So, one does not neccesarily cause the other.
Maybe there’s a singular cause behind both?
Russiagate is a conspiracy theory. It is an establishment created conspiracy theory though. Unlike Iran/Contra, it was never proven, yet people refuse to accept that. They will say the FBI confirmed it even though the FBI was caught fabricating evidence. All of their sources are exposed liars.
@metal-brain saidWhat evidence was fabricated?
"there seems to be ever growing fanatical beliefs in far fetched conspiracy theories."
Like Russiagate for example?
People don't have to fabricate evidence if they have any, yet most democrats still believe. Pretty far fetched, right?
@metal-brain saidNo it doesn’t you fulfil the option that people who have lost or do not possess a religion may sate their innate need for the fantastical by clinging to conspiracy theories.
You would think so, but I find people in general are like that. Besides, most people are religious. That makes targeting largely unnecessary, doesn't it?
Don't atheists believe in conspiracy theories? Sure they do. I am an atheist and Shav thinks I am a conspiracy theorist. My existence proves your assumption wrong. You need to accept that many people are atheists beca ...[text shortened]... arenti explained it well.
Conspiracy and Class Power
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t21UZxRYYA4
It’s also about a fear of a lack of control and authority in the world. Religious people have the ultimate authoritarian control model whilst many conspiracy theorists are convinced that a secret cabal is running everything.
The classic is the belief that 9/11 was an inside job carried out by the US government which for some is more reassuring than the reality that a small group of people with box cutters can bring the most powerful country to the edge of paralysis and guide its domestic and foreign policy for years after.
@metal-brain saidMost people believe your far-right conspiracy theories?
What does religion have to do with far fetched conspiracy theories? There is no correlation other than most people have faith in both.
That is not my experience at all.
@shavixmir saidYes. Right-wing ignorance.
Neither does coincidence prove causation.
So, one does not neccesarily cause the other.
Maybe there’s a singular cause behind both?
@metal-brain saidAnd because you say so, we're all supposed to believe this?
True. Multiple coincidences indicate a causation is likely though. That is where the "theory" part comes in.
Russiagate is a conspiracy theory. It is an establishment created conspiracy theory though. Unlike Iran/Contra, it was never proven, yet people refuse to accept that. They will say the FBI confirmed it even though the FBI was caught fabricating evidence. All of their sources are exposed liars.