The current use of the term conspiracy theorist instantly triggers the thought that such a person is an idiot who believes stupid lies/wild fantasies. Everyone rolls their eyes at the mention. But Webster’s definition is important: “a person who proposes or believes in a conspiracy theory.” And a conspiracy theory, per Webster’s is “a theory that explains an event or set of circumstances as the result of a secret plot usually by powerful conspirators.”
Key words in the definitions are proposes and theory. The person is merely considering a theory or, possibly, has found enough evidence to believe it might be more than a theory. In other words, there’s enough suspicion to warrant further investigation. The person didn’t hear one little idea and jump to an impossible conclusion.
Whenever a sinister plot truly is at work, the bad guys would naturally want to deflect investigation; and one way would be to circulate the idea that only a fool would think they’re conspiring. They would want us to believe that evidence has already proven the “theory” isn’t legit. Then once it gets around that “oh, everybody knows that’s not true,” most of us will be intimidated into stepping back rather than looking further.
But important matters call for investigation. Here’s what I plan to do if someone calls me a conspiracy theorist:
PERSON (rolling his eyes at me): Yikes almighty! You’re one of those conspiracy theorists!
ME (throwing a curve since I’ve been classed as an idiot): You mean, you think homicide detectives are idiots?
PERSON: Wha—? Homicide detectives?
ME: Yeah, they’re conspiracy theorists.
PERSON: No, they’re not. They go with facts.
ME: Right. Me too. May I explain?
The explanation as relates to homicide detectives goes like this: There’s been a murder, but cops don’t have the killer. One theory is that the guy’s wife killed him. A second theory is that there was a conspiracy among his coworkers. The third theory is that the shot was intended for someone else—by an unknown assailant—and this guy was merely in the line of fire. The detectives evaluate evidence for each theory, and eliminate any that don’t hold up. If they keep finding evidence against the coworkers, it’s “a reasonable inference” (as detectives would say) that the coworkers are quite suspicious and worth looking into further. If it turns out the guy’s coworkers did conspire against him, then that theory is proven as fact. In court they’ll be accused of “conspiracy to commit murder” and of murder itself. So… it’s perfectly legit to look into—that is, there’s nothing stupid about looking into—conspiracy theories that seem to have accumulating evidence.
Then, going back to the above chat, whatever that person says to me after this might keep the conversation going a bit. And if not, maybe he at least won’t jump to conclusions the next time he hears that term conspiracy theorist.
We are shocked at horrible crimes/plots that have already been proven. And when we hear alarming reports that are still theories, yes, our first instinct is, “Oh, surely that can’t be.” But there have always been humans who conspire for evil purposes. We just wish it weren’t so.
Here are a few Bible examples:
- Several Old Testament kings were the victims of conspiracy. King Amon’s officials “conspired against him and assassinated” him (2 Kings 21:23).
- David mentions being conspired against multiple times. “Fierce men conspire against me…. I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me” (Psalm 59:3-5).
- Micah 7:3 reads like a description of any time or place in history: “The ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire—they all conspire together.”
- Acts 4:27 mentions those who conspired against Jesus.
And of course, the Enemy himself perpetually tries to “outwit us” (2 Corinthians 2:11). He can deceive us into conspiring with him to harm others (which also harms us). “He is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). That’s not just a theory.
Thanks for this great article. 👍