What is a Conspiracy Theory?

A conspiracy theory is a belief or explanation suggesting that an event, situation, or phenomenon results from a secret, sinister, and complex plot by a group of people or organizations to attain their nefarious goals. Conspiracy theories often involve claims of hidden or suppressed evidence, secret organizations, and influential groups manipulating events to achieve specific goals. Frequently, evidence is only available to initiates or those regarded as unique or separate from mainstream society. The conspiracy theory usually hypothesizes that the mainstream media explanation for whatever event is a cover-up or a deliberate misrepresentation of the situation. Mainstream media is constructed to confuse and even create misinformation for consumers.

Conspiracy theories can range from relatively benign, like the anti-Masonic movement of the 1830s and 1840s, to more serious, such as that a government or other powerful entity is involved in a secret plan to harm or control a population such as the Illuminati. Conspiracy theorists believe they have access to special knowledge or stigmatized information that separates them from an official account. One of the earliest uses of conspiracy theory in United States Politics was in 1863 when the British aristocrats were accused of intentionally weakening the United States during the Civil War to advance financial gain. Another early conspiracy theory was created in 1798. The Illuminati, also known as the Society of Freemasons, was mentioned by a Lutheran preacher who wrote a letter to George Washington warning him that this group wanted to overthrow the government.

Types of Conspiracy Theories

There are three types of conspiracy theories:

  • Event conspiracy: Where the event is localized and defined; it is a discrete set of events. Conspiracies arising from specific events like John F. Kennedy’s assassination demonstrate a desire to make sense of threatening social forces. Another example of an event conspiracy would be 9/11 when four Islamic extremist terrorists attacked the United States.
  • Systemic conspiracy: Argues that one large, overreaching group has specific goals for domination. In systemic conspiracy theory, a conspiracy theory is a conviction that a group of actors meets in a secret agreement to attain some malevolent goal. This is when perceived outside control over a country or region exists. The means of control usually involve a single organization that infiltrates and subverts the existing institutions. An example of Systemic conspiracy would be creating one world order through Catholicism or Judaism.
  • Religious conspiracy: Super-conspiracy theories link several conspiracy theories functioning under an evil force; there is usually a hierarchy functioning. An example of a super-conspiracy would be the claim that extraterrestrials are in charge of Earth or that HIV/ AIDS is a manufactured disease released to the public on purpose. These types of conspiracy allow theories to thrive as alternative viewpoints of events.

Millennialism

Belief in conspiracies is the foundation of the millennialist attitude, where there is a polarization between light and dark, where evil is eventually defeated. Millennialism refers to groups that expect a transition from the current society to a society of salvation, which may be experienced on Heaven or Earth. Hidden societal evils can be used to explain the lack of adherents to a millenarian movement; evil forces suppress the movement’s lack of popularity. An example of this would be the Christian idea of the second coming of Christ, which will bring 1000 years of peace on Earth. The end times and the return of Jesus Christ may be delayed by capitalist conspiracies or secret powers designed to maintain world order. For conspiracy groups, evil only exists outside of their community.

Religious conspiracy theory provides a meaningful worldview to those who seek secret knowledge in explanations of more significant world events. Different groups maintain that mainstream religious organizations are corrupt and designed to deceive people. Alternative religious groups have unique interpretations of religious texts. There is a consolation that human affairs are controlled, rather than controlled by other humans, and that human dignity will be restored if the conspirator organization can be destroyed. Knowing that humans are not responsible for their destinies is comforting. Examples of religious conspiracy theories include claims that certain religious groups secretly control governments or other institutions, that religious leaders are involved in secret societies or occult practices, or that religious texts contain hidden meanings that are being kept from the public. Conspiracies are quasi-religious in that the conspiracy theorists and the communities that support them lack many of the institutional features of organized religions.

It also divides the world between good and evil, who are the active conspirators and their agents. These conspiracy theories are presented in a way that discloses secret, unknown, or unappreciated knowledge. For religious conspiracy theorists, the smaller the minority believing in something, the more attractive it becomes. This has led some conspiracy theorists to be called “truth seekers” regarding religious groups.

However, a general distrust of societal institutions is not conducive to a functional society.

Further Reading

Melton, Encyclopedia Handbook of Cults in America – Free resource

Prooijen, “Conspiracy Theories as Part of History: The Role of Societal Crisis Situations” – Journal Article 

Wallace, Religion: an Anthropological View – Free resource

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Author: mountshastamyths

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