Conspiracy theories are like porn.

A thread.

Porn offers a false version of intimacy that doesn’t require the labor of a real relationship with another person.

Conspiracy theories offer a false version of discernment that doesn’t require the labor of humble exploration of other ideas.

Porn & CTs are easier than real life.

Porn titillates by offering sexual pleasure outside God’s design of spouses building one another up.

Conspiracy theories titillate by offering insights-into-life outside God’s design of mature believers building up younger ones.

Porn and CTs are more amusing than real life.

Porn diminishes the ability to know people as they really are, instead viewing them exclusively from their sexuality.

CTs diminish the ability to know people apart from their relative inclusion or exclusion in the conspiracy.

Porn & CTs make relationships simpler than real life

Porn preys on the deepest desires of the heart for belonging, affirmation, and control.

Conspiracy theories prey on those exact desires, but in seemingly more moral packaging.

Porn and CTs give people what they wanted anyway.

Many biblical principles address these evils, but here’s an overlooked one:

Self-control. The Holy Spirit’s gift to believers that makes them able to master their impulses, not be deceived by material that appeals to sinful desire, not react from fear, not envy and devour.

Galatians 5:22-26
2 Timothy 3:1-9
1 Peter 4:7-8