Conspiracy Theories

Conspiracy theories are not new to this president who literally wades in them when he is not cheating at golf.

I remember hearing my first “conspiracy theory” after the assassination of JFK. Now reliable sources note that over 30 attempts have been made on our Presidents since the first president was elected. Four have been successful: Abraham Lincoln(1865); James A Garfield(1881); William McKinley(1901); and JFK(1963).There was also an unsuccessful attempt on President Ronald Reagan(1981), and a successful candidate assassination, Robert Kennedy(1969) and unsuccessful attempt on candidate George Wallace(1972) and perhaps the third most sobering assassination outside of a president, Martin Luther King Jr. (1968).

The etiology of conspiracy theories seems to be stable across theories. They are based on limited information, unlimited suspicion, lack of rigorous thinking, and an end already determined to be true. Perhaps one of the most damaging conspiracy theories over the last 15 years has been Trump's belief that Barack Obama was not born in the United States. Although, he was unwilling to take a stand, rather using his usual, “Well, I am hearing” or “Well some say.”Even though a valid birth certificate was presented, doubters still—well—doubted. Why, because they were convinced two things were true about Obama: 1. He was an “illegitimate” president, 2. He was Muslim.

I have long believed our first African American president was resented for no other reason than he was Black. Now, here are a couple of thoughts about that lingering accusation Obama was not born in America. First, if you remember, he was one in a crowded field of Democratic candidates. There were eight candidates: Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich, Barack Obama, Bill Richardson, and Tom Vilsack. If you remember, at some point along the way, (this is very pertinent to this rumor) news slipped out about John Edward's mistress and a child they bore together. With this group of candidates hungry to be the next president, can you actually and honestly believe keeping the “secret” of Obama's birth was possible? Can you truly believe that if Clinton had that information, it would not come out to disqualify him? Come on folks, put on your thinking caps. To what end would this lie be protected? What advantage would it provide to keep this “rumor” secret? Take another step. The Republican Senator John McCain, an American hero and conservative senator from Arizona would not have sat on such news. He was the Republican candidate if you remember. He spent a horrific period of time as a POW with his team rather than come home without them. Really, this patriot would somehow be “bought off.” The next candidate Barack Obama faced was Mitt Romney. Same thing there. Primaries and elections in America are always dogfights. They get ugly, blood is drawn, accusations are made. Yet, Romney never played the “not native born” card. Why, because on the face of it, it was not true.

The truth is, at the end of this rumor and accusation was Obama was an “illegitimate president.” However, just beginning with what we know about campaigns within the parties and presidential campaigns between the parties make it impossible to believe this part of the “conspiracy theory.”

The second part of the “Obama” conspiracy theory is he is/was Muslim.” I will offer a couple of facts about this. Perhaps first it should be noted that the Obamas were members of the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. Pastor was Jeremiah Wright who at some point said some things with which Presidential candidate Obama was uncomfortable and he withdrew his membership. Second, August 17^th, 2008, Obama participated in a forum at the Saddleback Community Church which was moderated by Rick Warren where John McCain and Barack Obama both attended and participated. The full transcript can be accessed here: https://votesmart.org/public-statement/658545/full-transcript-saddleback-presidential-forum-sen-barack-obama-john-mccain-moderated-by-rick-warren/?search=saddleback#.XyBmVZ5Kg2w It was in this setting Rick Warren asked both candidates about their personal faith in Christ. Both shared their “testimony” in the language of Baptists. During his eight years in the White House, the family did not consistently attend one church but visited with several. From what little I understand about the practice of a President attending a local church in Washington D.C., it could be an ordeal for all involved. The host church was required to provide certain space, the Secret Service detail had to be accommodated, and members were often inconvenienced. That is some of what drove Richard Nixon to hold worship services at the White House. Jimmy Carter and his wife attended consistently a local Baptist Church where he taught a Sunday School class. The Clintons usually attended a Methodist Church in the city.

So in this particular cluster of conspiracy theories, there is a poverty of data to show either is or could be true.

This conspiracy theory really highlights the whole problem with such rumors and beliefs. As I said earlier they are based on limited information, unlimited suspicion, lack of rigorous thinking, and an end already determined to be true. Sadly, in our time, conspiracy theorists have huge megaphones to spread their toxic rumors and theories. And, such stuff is easily picked up by people who believe they cannot trust their eyes, they cannot trust their government, they cannot trust the news media, or the institutions within our system of government which have protected us from the beginning of our life under the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The conspiracy theories on Face Book are sad because, they are not true, they reflect badly on Christians who seem to have a propensity to believe such rumors and theories never bothering to check them out or admit they were wrong when they posted something that was not true. Gullibility within the ranks of religious people seems to be a bottomless pit with a willingness to believe anything bad about folks who are not like us, or don't share the same opinions, or members of the other political party.

I am absolutely sure this grieves the heart of God. Do you remember the words of Jesus? “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'” At the heart of our faith has always been truth, and continues to be “truth.” Truth matters to God. It matters to Him now. So, if we say we are His children and yet pass around conspiracy theories we dishonor Christ, our faith and our God.

Wash your hands, wear your mask from others, mind the gap, and be kind.