Christians and Conspiracy Theories w/ guests Katy Faust & Stacy Manning

6/28/2021

Old Fashion Dad Podcast

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1:17:11

On this episode we are graced by two amazing female guests and authors, Katy Faust and Stacy Manning. They share a little about their amazing book on Children's Rights, "Them Before Us" and then we get into some juicy conversation about conspiracy theories, how we determine truth from myth, what the draw to believing them can be, why ideas matter so much and how bad ideas can have real and significant consequences on people and our relationships.

NOTES:

This Weeks Whiskey: Redwood Empire Whiskey - Pipe Dream Bourbon
Our guest's amazing book on Children's Rights - "Them Before Us"

Website: https://thembeforeus.com
Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1642935964
"Children's rights are being sacrificed on the alter of adult desires"
There is a massive impact that the lack of father's has on both son's and daughters... and some people are intentionally bringing kids into this world with no intention of the father's involvement, presence or even knowing who they are (fertility clinics & sperm donors) - Children NEED both their mother and fathers
Children have a natural and inherent right to their mother and father.
No matter married, single, gay or straight - Every adult needs to conform to the rights of children and do the hard things that are best for children

What is a conspiracy?
UFOs, Bigfoot, Classified government secrets, Vaccines, flat earth, Qanon... nothing is off limits for us in this episode.
It's of critical importance that we read and understand our bibles so we know what truth is and can recognize and reject lies when we hear them.
Pray regularly for wisdom and discernment
A key question is, where are you sourcing your information and on what authority?
The idea that "America is founded on racism" (Black Lives Matter (BLM), the 1619 Project and Critical Race Theory or CRT) is a conspiracy theory and are sudo-gospel that offers alternative answers to the Biblical Gospel (providing different answers to the questions of what is the problem of humanity and what is the solution or salvation for that problem).
The problem with conspiracy theories (and any alternative worldview or sudo-gospel) is that they want to little. They don't think big enough and their goals are too small.

We are made by God to overturn wrongs, fight for justice, be reborn and renewed in a new nature... but it's not by our own work and hands but by God's work, allowing us to partner with Him.
When the ultimate and true Gospel of God is rejected, people will create their own means of works salvation.

Conspiracy theories are tempting to believe in because just like with any "good" lie, there is an element of truth to it.
Did the first century citizens consider the claims of the Christian's that Jesus rose from the dead as a conspiracy... and if so, what's the difference between that conspiracy (a true one) and modern day examples of conspiracies?

Christian B says that the difference is "intent". What is the intent of the various conspiracy claims?

We talk about a bit about Art Bell's talk show (which specialized in call in guests and conspiracy theories).
The Gospel Coalition - https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/reviews/conspiracy-theories-primer/
The deeper issue of believing in Conspiracy Theories is the issue of tribalism... to fill our legitimate needs of community, belonging and identity.
Relationships are the only thing we leave this earth with and so are paramount importance... and things like conspiracy theories notoriously isolate and destroy relationships, as we prioritize those ideas above people.
As Christian's, we need to be able to defend good & godly ideas and destroy bad ideas. Ideas have consequences and bad ideas creates victims.
How does slander (Knowingly spreading lies about people) factor into conspiracies and loving your neighbor, in a time when misinformation and division is rampant?
Love your enemies - Matthew 5:43-48 - 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers,[i] what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Roman's 12:18 - "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."

As Christian's, we are not called to be the aggressors and pick fights. We are called to stand firm and be faithful to God... and sometimes that means loosing friends but that is not the mark of success. Obedience to Christ is the mark of success, no matter how it turns out.

When doing something is hard, that is most often the right thing to do. Rarely is the right thing to do easy or without cost (like standing up for what is right and true, even if it's unpopular and goes against societal majority consensus).

When you find a hill worth dieing on, bring a friend / get reinforcements (standing up for truth in a conversation or online).
Don't be afraid of "the mob", even though it may be uncomfortable.
When you feel God is asking you to do something or say something to someone that you don't want to, Pray to God to open that door and make it abundantly obvious that you are to do that thing.

At the end of the day, we need to care more about what God things of us than what other people think of us. God will never disappoint and humans always will.