Sight-Seeing: Buying into conspiracy theories can be exciting – that’s what makes them dangerous
DONOVAN SCHAEFER, an assistant professor of religious studies at the University of Pennsylvania, explores – in an article first published on The Conversation – why people are attracted to conspiracy theories…
QAnon draws from several faith groups, numbers more than 40 million – study
RNS A new study finds devotees of the conspiracy theory movement known as QAnon number in the tens of millions, a sizable coalition that claims a number of white evangelicals but draws from other religious groups as well. And while QAnon believers are vastly outnumbered by those who reject or doubt their claims, researchers say […]
‘Great replacement’ belief correlates with Christian nationalist views in US – survey
RNS An often repeated element of Christian nationalism – an ideology with a range of expressions and increasingly vocal supporters – is a belief in America’s divine origins. The United States, proponents insist, is meant to be a “city on a hill” which God intends as a blessing and example for the world. A new […]
US intel report warns of more violence by QAnon followers
Washington DC, US AP A new US intelligence report warns that adherents of QAnon, the conspiracy theory embraced by some in the mob that stormed the US Capitol, could target Democrats and other political opponents for more violence as the movement’s false prophecies increasingly fail to come true. Many QAnon followers believe former President Donald Trump was […]
Survey: White evangelicals, Hispanic Protestants, Mormons most likely to believe in QAnon
RNS A new survey reports white evangelicals, Hispanic Protestants and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are the most likely to believe in the QAnon conspiracy theory, a trend researchers suggest correlates with the kind of media they consume. The survey, released Thursday by the Public Religion Research Institute, focused on the […]
Addressing conspiracy theories: United Methodist pastor’s podcast ‘Cross Over Q’ challenges QAnon, comforts its victims
EMILY MCFARLAN MILLER, of Religion News Service, reports on how one United Methodist vicar is addressing the QAnon conspiracy theories…
Faith leaders key to combat vaccine hesitancy among religious – and QAnon believers: US survey
RNS A new survey suggests faith leaders are key to combating vaccine hesitancy or outright anti-vaccine sentiment among religious Americans and QAnon believers, many of whom still voice concerns about getting inoculated against COVID-19. The report from PRRI (Public Religion Research Institute) and Interfaith Youth Core, released on Thursday, divides American views on COVID-19 vaccines into three […]
“Conspiracy culture”: How Catholicism has become a breeding ground for conspiratorial thinking
CLAIRE GIANGRAVÉ, of Religion News Service, reports on the rising trend of a conspiracy culture within Catholicism…
More than a quarter of US white evangelicals believe core QAnon conspiracy theory – survey
RNS A new survey reports more than a quarter of white evangelical Protestants in the US believe a QAnon conspiracy theory that purports former President Donald Trump is secretly battling a cabal of paedophile Democrats, and roughly half express support for the debunked claim that antifa was responsible for the recent insurrection at the US […]
Essay: What is truth?
Sight columnist TIM COSTELLO reflects on the nature of truth – and conspiracy theories…