Do YOU believe in conspiracies?

[MikePGS]

I have a theory that many conspiracy theories are partisan. That is to say that more democrats tend to believe there was some conspiracy to kill jfk and destroy the WTC, while more republicans/conservatives are likely to believe that Waco, Ruby Ridge and OKC were caused by the government. As for monsters and such that seems to be more neutral territory. I have no evidence whatsoever to prove or disprove this, it just seems right to me. Anyways, the only conspiracy theory i like to entertain is the moon landing hoax, even though its completely stupid. Do you believe in any sort of conspiracies, you nut job you?

[RevDisk]

I worked for the military, the government and a multinational corporation.  Dude, the conspiracy theorists give every single one WAY too much credit in the competency department.  In each and every one, I wish we had the capacity and personnel to be able to do the things we've allegedly done.

The only 'conspiracies' I've seen were people that saw other people doing stuff, and followed for the same reason.  Tech stock bubble, subprime.  Not organized, though it can appear so.  Just multiple people doing the same activity for the same reason.  The reason is usually greed, but occassionally just people living for the moment and not bothering to look past the present quarter.


But then again, I help manufacture the black helicopters (1) so you probably wouldn't wish to take my opinion at face value if you're the conspiracy sort.


1. Damn it, they're a special kind of DARK GREEN, not black.  Much better IR properties.  Can't the conspiracy folks even get that right?

[MikePGS]

...so what your saying then, is that your part of the cover up? 

[seeker_two]

I have a theory that many conspiracy theories are partisan. That is to say that more democrats tend to believe there was some conspiracy to kill jfk and destroy the WTC, while more republicans/conservatives are likely to believe that Waco, Ruby Ridge and OKC were caused by the government.

They WERE caused by the gov't.....gov't stupidity....a far more common and dangerous thing than any conspiratorial plan.  The REAL conspiracy came in the cover-up of the stupidity afterwards...which led to even MORE stupidity afterwards....

[Bigjake]

Conspiracy- definitely.

By the Government?  Lmao.  When was the last time they could keep ANYTHING under wraps?  Classified materiel is usually either leaked or sold outright to the chicoms.

[MicroBalrog]

while more republicans/conservatives are likely to believe that Waco, Ruby Ridge

So I am to believe that Vicky Weaver committed suicide?

[AJ Dual]

So I am to believe that Vicky Weaver committed suicide?

Horiuchi did not get his comeuppance, but what happened there is all public record and came out pretty quickly.

A "conspiracy" would be if the ATF/FBI kept it covered up or was still in denial over it to this day, or they went in there with the intent of killing the Weaver family.

It was definitely an "abuse" but ultimately it was just a string of bad decisions and mistakes all around.

[MicroBalrog]

As for the question itself, yes and no.

I do not believe that there is a secret group called the Bilderbergers or whatever, out to destroy the world.

I do however believe that, due to the unique blend of socialism and capitalism that exists in Western societies today, the balance of power has shifted towards the social elites – government bureaucrats, media hacks and the corporations that lobby them, as well as people like George Soros. These people DO in fact meet at places like the Bilderberg Hotel and the Bohemian Grove, and they are far more sinister than we normally believe – but not in the straight-on sense that people like Alex Jones would like to believe. They are sinister – in the sense that they think that they know what's best for all of us. The physical Bohemian Grove may be real, but it is only an expression of how skewed society has become,rather than a cause of it.

Further, I believe that there are trends, social and cultural in our society, that help move us towards bad things – like social-democracy, world government, etc.  These intellectuals, corporate bigshots and  bureaucrats that are moving us there are not working in a vacuum.

[Tallpine]

I believe that there is a grand conspiracy to invent and disseminate absurd conspiracy theories in order to mask the real conspiracies.

Joking, mostly ... 

[freedom lover]

Well, yeah, I guess.

I mean, Confucius might have worked for the government, that's probably why he wrote what he did.

And unless Mohammed was totally insane, he could have made all that stuff up just to get power... But I'd sooner think he was crazy.

I don't really believe in the Illuminati or that rich cultists want to rule the world, but I think the media unconsiously tries to make us dumber so we can consume more.

I don't think the One Worlders want to set up an Antichrist like dictator.

Global warming seems to have morphed into a conspiracy perpetuated by scientists, leftists, earth firsters, and the media; "green" companies are more than happy to oblige them, as they make much money off of it.

I'd bet a million dollars that the stories that claim Jusuits and Pagan occultist types are actively infiltrating protestant churches and trying to bring them down are true.

Yeah, I'm a class A nutjob, all right. 
 

[280plus]

Have I told you guys about "Bill the Painter" yet?

Apparently the rich folk are conspiring to reduce the population by about 70% according to Bill. Through global warming, asteroid impacts, pandemics, poisoning the food and water etc etc. The only ones who are safe are the rich folk and the Catholics because the Catholic Church is in on it and will protect it's parishioners. So if you hear about any of this starting to happen head for the nearest Catholic church and claim to be a Catholic to survive. He says, he knows a lot of millionaires and billionaires and they tell him this stuff because they figure noone is going to believe a lowly painter so it doesn't matter. I said, "Yea, most people will think you've been huffing too many paint fumes, Bill."  

He also says global warming is taking place because all the ice in the Arctic is melting and clogging the "giant tubes" that exist under the ocean that carry the now cooled Gulf Stream water back down to the equator for reheating, so it's effing up the Gulf Stream flow.

Scary part is the same day I had Chinese food and my fortune said that I was going to hear a lot of wierd stuff and while I should take most of it with a grain of salt some parts of it would be truthful.  

Fortunately, I'm Catholic, sort of, so I'm not worried.  

[Iain]

Global warming seems to have morphed into a conspiracy perpetuated by scientists,

Yes, a lot of people on this forum believe in conspiracy theories.

[RevDisk]

I'd bet a million dollars that the stories that claim Jusuits and Pagan occultist types are actively infiltrating protestant churches and trying to bring them down are true.

Yeah, I'm a class A nutjob, all right. 

Uhm.  Right...   You are aware that there is almost a 3 to 1 ratio of female to male when it comes to pagans?  And we love our alcohol?  So we're supposed to stop drunken partying with lots of chicks and 'festivities' in order to get up really early on a Sunday in order to listen to boring sermons and hymns?  To bring down a decentralized religion that's kinda boring but generally leaves us alone?  The Jesuits theory sounds almost plausible.  But dude, getting pagans to do anything in an organized manner is much like herding cats. 

...so what your saying then, is that your part of the cover up?

Judging by the relatively light paycheck twice a month, I certainly hope not.  Benefits are nice through.  You'd think covering up conspiracies would at least pay decent.

[freedom lover]

Okay, I'm willing to bet ten dollars about the pagan part.  I have absolutely no proof, but I have a hunch that there is a small percentage of organized occult groups that do it.

If certain Luciferians(who are not pagans), most of whom don't even believe in Satan, take their time to pray that he will curse Christians (I have heard of this), then there have to be a few occultists who hate Christians enough to do it too.

Maybe they want to avenge the sacred groves in Europe that missionaries cut down long ago? I don't know, its just a hunch.

[Strings]

freedom lover: Rev Disk hit the nail squarely on the head. You won't find many occultists with the combination of intelligence, ambition, and desire to do what you're describing with any success...

 Not to say there aren't some of us that COULD, just that those who would be capable have no interest in doing so...

[BrokenPaw]

Okay, I'm willing to bet ten dollars about the pagan part.  I have absolutely no proof, but I have a hunch that there is a small percentage of organized occult groups that do it.

People who follow occult paths who hate Christians?  You betcha.  Christians who hate Muslims?  Yep.  Muslims who hate Jews?  Sure. 

[People in any demographic] who hate [people in pretty much any other demographic]?  Sure, you can find at least some.

However, the oft-pointed-out moral relativism that we pagans are accused of sort of runs against your theory that we (collectively) are secretly interested in the downfall of Christianity.  To wit:  It's pretty much a basic tenet of all pagan paths that whatever path you find that connects you to the Divine is your business, not mine.  So we have no percentage in corrupting Christians.  We don't even get silver-moon-goddess stickers for it any more.

By the time we achieve the rank of Evil Coven Leader, as I have, our ambition to get out of bed in time to ruin someone else's worship service is pretty seriously depleted.

-BP

[freedom lover]

sort of runs against your theory that we (collectively) are secretly interested in the downfall of Christianity.

I neither created or espoused such a theory. I merely stated that I have a  rather tenuous, totally unproven hunch that there are groups that do it.

It's pretty much a basic tenet of all pagan paths that whatever path you find that connects you to the Divine is your business, not mine.

I was aware of that. I am also aware that every religion has its cults and radicals. And who is the enemy of the most radical cults? All those who fail to acknowledge their leader or gods as more than they are. Ever hear of ancient Rome, and what they did to those who did not burn a pinch of incense to the emporer when told to do so?

I highly doubt that the average pagan has any substantial hatred of Christianity or even Christians. All the pagans on this board seem to be good guys. Hell, I'd consider joining, if I knew what you believed was true. The only religious difference between me and you guys is our beliefs about the types and natures of spirits and how the natural world works (although I'm pretty close to being an agnostic as everthing I've thought of is theoretical, I have no proof).

I'm not accusing your friends of anything. Acting as though I have only feeds my strange suspicions and the irrational part of me they come from.

[AZRedhawk44]

I'm 100% convinced that Pastafarians are completely responsible for the combination of the reversed global warming we are currently seeing as well as the increased pirate attacks near the Indian Ocean.

[MechAg94]

I am 100% sure that many Christians do plenty of stuff themselves to undermine their own churches like gossiping, judging, and other immature BS.  No pagans are needed. 

[Leatherneck]

Study Occam's Razor.

I've worked inside the Beltway for almost 30 years. The Feds are not capable of anything beyond a minor conspiracy to do wrong, which is ALWAYS outed before the conspirators' socks are dry.

TC

[RocketMan]

I'm 100% convinced that Pastafarians are completely responsible for the combination of the reversed global warming we are currently seeing as well as the increased pirate attacks near the Indian Ocean.

Wrong, wrong, wrong.  All conspiracies are fistful's fault, he and his evil minions.

[Archie]

I'm not sure.

UFOs, for instance. 
I would like to believe they exist, but I've never seen one of which I'm aware.  I've even done some looking, but they just won't show up for me.  As far as the government cover-up is concerned:  1) It is exactly what the government would do; keep it secret and don't tell anyone - for their own good, you see.  2) The government can't even keep the A bomb or H bomb a secret. 
Mutually exclusive evidence, as far as I'm concerned.

Still, I wish that special phone would ring and I could go home.


The JFK assassination. 
One moderately competent shooter with a wretched rifle and ammo, made that series of shots?  Doesn't seem likely to me.  On the other hand, there is no reliable evidence of any other alternative explanation.  The Oswald scenario is the only one with any legs, weak and wobbly as they are.

The Masonic Lodge taking over the world.
I know a number of Masons.  If they're planning on taking over the world, or just the U. S., I wish they'd get on with it.  They're a good bunch of guys and most of them seem to have good sense and decent morals.  I can't see as they could possibly do worse.

Jewish Bankers.
So they manipulate all the world's economies and get all the money.  If there is no capitalization for any industry, what are they going to spend the money on?  What is the point of changing it all into Roosevelt dimes and swimming in them naked? 

The U. S. News Media.
They can't all be in the tank for the Democrats and getting Barack Obama elected.  They really are non-biased groups and people who just all seem to be on the same side, right?

Bigfoot.
You guys have never met my ex-mother-in-law.  I don't want to talk about her.

[Waitone]

Conspiracies?  IF any exist the number is vastly smaller than we think.  Pull out anything that can be explained by stupidity and greed.  The resulting number is a small fraction of the weird stuff going on.  Examine what is left. 

Bottom line?  Human nature being what it is, yeah there are conspiracies.  How effective and scope is open to debate.

[roo_ster]

By the time we achieve the rank of Evil Coven Leader, as I have, our ambition to get out of bed in time to ruin someone else's worship service is pretty seriously depleted.

Do you get a card or lapel pin to denote ECL status?  What about Good Coven Leaders?  Do you guys have to have periodic "Thunderdome"-like bouts to settle disputes?  "Cause I'd come to watch something like that, even if you couldn't promise Tina Turner's in dressed like a barbarian broad would be there.

[roo_ster]

The JFK assassination. 
One moderately competent shooter with a wretched rifle and ammo, made that series of shots?  Doesn't seem likely to me.  On the other hand, there is no reliable evidence of any other alternative explanation.  The Oswald scenario is the only one with any legs, weak and wobbly as they are.

Visit the museum in Dallas and you won't wonder that a moderately good commie shooter could do it.  Theories requiring other shooters overly complicate the issue.