So why is it?

[Stan]

So why is it perfectly normal intelligent people fall for the stupidest conspiracy theories?

[Bravus]

I have my theory but it'd get me pilloried here...

[karl]

So why is it perfectly normal intelligent people fall for the stupidest conspiracy theories?

"Normal" is just a setting on the washer and dryer. It doesn't exist, sociologically speaking.

[lazarus]

I have my theory but it'd get me pilloried here...

Aw come on, I'll support you in public, at least. I haven't see a good pillory for a while either.

[Neil D]

Originally Posted By: Stan Jensen

So why is it perfectly normal intelligent people fall for the stupidest conspiracy theories?

"Normal" is just a setting on the washer and dryer. It doesn't exist, sociologically speaking.

In physicolgical terms, there is concidered an acceptable range, or "normal". The ph of blood is between 7.35 to 7.45. The Saturations of Oxygen in the blood is 96% but an acceptable range is anything above 89, hence 90 to 96 is a range of acceptable saturations.

Socialogically speaking, there are acceptable behaviors that are concidered normal. Examples, SDAs concider Sabbath an important day in thier culture. It is normal to invite people to ones home to eat and have social contact. What is not normal, is those behaviors that are outside expected behaviors.

Thoughts?

[abelisle]

So why is it perfectly normal intelligent people fall for the stupidest conspiracy theories?

I'll take a stab at the "conspiracy theory" piece. My take is that since the beginning of time, man has been fascinated with esoteric knowledge, gnostic disciplines, the Oracles, the Eleusinian Mysteries, the secrets of the Phythagoreans, the special telekinetic powers of the Rosicrucians (I have an interesting story about this one!), and finally interpretation of eschatological prophecy.

Isn't it natural for us to want to have "inside" information? That's why I can't reveal all the special contract work I've done for the C.I.A. As we all know "truth is stranger than fiction" and the more the better!

Alex (perfectly sane but definitely abnormal)

[Tom Wetmore]

As I sometimes say, "Don't mess with my delusions, they're working just fine for me right now."

[Pickie Chickie]

Specifically, which stupid conspiracy theories are you referring to? Perhaps you aren't informed enough and they aren't stupid at all! Lol!

[Stan]

As I sometimes say, "Don't mess with my delusions, they're working just fine for me right now."

I will pirate that for my facebook.

[FLO]

Yeah, my guess is that they are probably misinformed and don't bother researching things out on their own. Speaking of which, why is it that as a church we still celebrate pagan holidays like Easter and Christmas even though the Bible tells us not to do so?

[Pickie Chickie]

I'm still wanting to know what conspiracy theories have been deemed "stupid".

911?

Chemtrails?

HAARP?

USA concentration camps?

[Guest]

Hey Pickie Chickie, Nice to see you. How's Frostie?

[SivartM]

Yeah, my guess is that they are probably misinformed and don't bother researching things out on their own. Speaking of which, why is it that as a church we still celebrate pagan holidays like Easter and Christmas even though the Bible tells us not to do so?

The Bible talks about Christmas and Easter?!?

Well, I know the KJV mentions Easter (in a positive light), but...

[SivartM]

I'm still wanting to know what conspiracy theories have been deemed "stupid".

911?

Chemtrails?

HAARP?

USA concentration camps?

Good work! You forgot a few though. :)

[WayneV]

So why is it perfectly normal intelligent people fall for the stupidest conspiracy theories?

Your question implies that falling for the stupidest conspiracy theories is perfectly normal and intelligent. Therefore, I would like to posit the corollary; You are neither normal nor intelligent if you reject the stupidest conspiracy theories.

[FLO]

Originally Posted By: FLO

Yeah, my guess is that they are probably misinformed and don't bother researching things out on their own. Speaking of which, why is it that as a church we still celebrate pagan holidays like Easter and Christmas even though the Bible tells us not to do so?

The Bible talks about Christmas and Easter?!?

Well, I know the KJV mentions Easter (in a positive light), but...

The KJV does mention the word "Easter", but it's a mistranslation of Pascha (aka. Passover in English). Most other bible translations (ie. NIV, NKJV, etc..) have corrected this mistranslation.

Christmas and Easter are both pagan holidays that were "Christianized" (by man, not God). The bible clearly tells us to not worship God the same way the pagans do (See Deuteronomy 12:29-31 and Leviticus 18:1-4). The dates, customs and most traditions of those holidays are completely pagan. Even casual research will verify this.

[Pickie Chickie]

Frostie is GREAT! He turned 21 years old yesterday (along with myself and all my pets, a very convenient DOB assigned to all by me) and to celebrate, we experienced a 2.8 magnitude earthquake with the epicenter located 3 miles from us! It felt like an elephant headbutted my mobile home! There was a very strange, groaning sound, one huge JOLT which sent Corkie, my miniature macaw, flying off her cage and caused Frostie to screech in terror! (Frostie's Shake Your Tail Feather video is now only about 50,000 views away from hitting 2 MILLION!) Thanks for asking!

Have we heard from Mr. Anonymous aka Ernie Bennett lately?

[Pickie Chickie]

By all means please copy and paste my list into a reply and add your own.

What baffles me is why people can think three huge steel/concrete structures could all come down at free fall rate (13 seconds)due to the heat of a fire supposedly propelled by jet fuel.

[SivartM]

I think that's what this thread is talking about.

[law]

Let me tell you about the conspiracy thing! Back in 1978 I was introduced to the Todd tapes. It made such an impact at Andrews in the fall of 1978 that a debate was arranged between his honor Roland Hegsted and the educational director Dr George Akers and his side-kick Carolyn Bisel. The subject: Is Todd for real?! How should the endtime Adventist respond? Most Adventists are preterist put the 2nd Coming way in the past ie. 1844 & the good old days of the pioneers; or way in the future; but never in the present: "It is really not that bad."

Anyway Roland -the- man- with the plan on the inside tip, made his opening statement: "If I could go to each of you and slap your wrist for wasting a good Sabbath afternoon to hear this bunkum, I would, but here we are!!" (recollection)

PMC was packed as I recall. There was a sense of urgency and expectancy. If there was any sense of preparation, Hegsted rammed his spike into our balloons!!

Akers had his turn. "We don't need Todd to tell us that something nefarious and evil is working within our country from the very embed of our history. In the 1700's Robison's book "Proofs of a Conspiracy" outlined clearly that EVIL was already at work on the foudations of America and ultimately the world!"

I can say that when I left there notwithstanding the spike of Hegsted, I accepted the reality that indeed there was a conspiracy to destroy our freedoms and enter us into the Kingdom of Satan. Anyone that has not availed themselves a careful examination of the events of 911 etc and consider other than the mainstream media tripe is not only the stupidest but the most foolish ignoramus alive! They have become an accomplice to this evil!!!

[Pickie Chickie]

Explaining The Illuminati - John Todd

"John Todd, a former member of the illuminati, warned us against their plans for world domination before he was framed and effectively discredit by the illuminati. The words that he left on his audio tapes are still coming to pass which puts lots of credibility on his claim that he was an insider. This audio tape speaks about the evil plans of the illuminati for world control. This is just another piece of the puzzle that explains what’s going on today’s world."

[Pickie Chickie]

The Witchcraft of Rock and Roll - John Todd

[Tallmark]

EGW talked about the conspiracies of the Holy See with various governments. Those that are receptive to the truth see the conspiracies the gov't has with the AMA, FDA, etc. Was JFK killed by Oswald, or was he a patsy for a bigger thing? Lincoln was killed by the catholic church, yet who knows about that? Their plans were to kill VP Johnson, the Secretary of State, and the Treasurer at the same time, thereby crippling our government. Was 911 an inside job? I don't know. Are the presidents what they appear to be? Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXo5ea2hRFE&fmt=18

[SivartM]

Anyone that has not availed themselves a careful examination of the events of 911 etc and consider other than the mainstream media tripe is not only the stupidest but the most foolish ignoramus alive! They have become an accomplice to this evil!!!

Uh... are you serious?

Why is it that if the mainstream media is extolling the virtues of vegetarianism or Christianity we sing their praises, but if they tells us facts about 9/11, "NOOO!! EVIL!"

Where do you do you do your "careful examination"? Bad novels?

[SivartM]

"John Todd, a former member of the illuminati, warned us against their plans for world domination before he was framed and effectively discredit by the illuminati. The words that he left on his audio tapes are still coming to pass which puts lots of credibility on his claim that he was an insider. This audio tape speaks about the evil plans of the illuminati for world control. This is just another piece of the puzzle that explains what’s going on today’s world."

They had audio tapes in 18th-century Bavaria? Wow. Talk about a conspiracy!