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(OPINION) As a journalist, I’ve met thousands of people over more than three decades, and heard a lot of … interesting theories about life, spirituality, current events and so forth.
My father, for instance, had been in the military in the 1950s and ‘60s, and “knew people” who “knew things” that weren’t supposed to be made public. In the early days of the internet — the late 1990s — he amassed stacks of print-outs from a website that dealt with UFO sightings and alien encounters.
While working in the newsroom of an Idaho paper, my colleagues and I fielded a series of calls from an individual who claimed the airlines were up to no good. We spent hours that could’ve been dedicated to covering real news listening to wild tales that weren’t suitable for publication.
That’s where the concept of verifying information with three separate sources comes into play (and not just other news outlets, but experts on a given topic, etc.).
More recently, I was on the phone with a friend from Florida, who pitched a theory that, frankly, made me laugh. Not that people have been mistakenly reported as deceased — especially when anyone can post anything online these days — but this was more than merely far-fetched.
Yes, these incidents would all qualify as sharing “conspiracy theories” — and that concept dates back to the early days of Christianity, as well. Take, as an example, the story of the Three Wise Men, or Magi.
They followed the star to pay homage to the infant Jesus, stopping in Jerusalem along the way. They met with King Herod, who expressed an interest in their story about a newly born king.
Herod, wrongly, assumed that this new king would steal his kingdom, and ordered the deaths of all children up to age two, just to eliminate any potential competition for his throne.
When Jesus embarked on his public ministry years later, conspiracy theories about his identity abounded, as the Scriptures relate. The goal of his preaching and healing of the sick, raising of the dead and interaction with “sinners” and “outcasts” posed a threat to the Pharisees and other leaders of that era.
Gossip was rampant about his travels and activities, because some people just can’t resist sharing a good tale — even if its source is questionable, or the information is downright false.
Jesus spoke openly and honestly, yet those in power, and those with their own agenda, twisted his words and concocted motives for his kindness that defied reason.
These sorts simply couldn’t take him at face value, as a loving, caring person who wished to bring people together. Because they were compelled to “read between the lines” of every situation, they attributed some hidden purpose to his wise words and willingness to be of service to others.
In many ways, Jesus’ death on the cross was the result of certain individuals being unable to grasp that someone can be good because it’s the right thing to do, and not because there’s some other motivation.
Suspicion of this type can be devastating, divisive and tragic.
Through the millennia, conspiracy theories continue to creep into how society views what’s happening in the world. Government representatives don’t trust each other because of the rumors that circulate so freely.
People of faith who rely on theologically-trained clergy for guidance doubt the veracity of these ministers because of how so many have violated that trust — and the tendency to think, “If one did it, all are guilty,” persists.
When faith calls humanity to share God’s love through kindness, honesty and service, isn’t it best to set aside those niggling suspicions and leave conspiracy theories in the dust?
This article was originally published at FaVS News.
Julie A. Ferraro is a communications professional who works extensively with Catholic religious communities. Originally from South Bend, Indiana, she is a mother and grandmother. She has been a journalist for more than 35 years and continues her studies of both Benedictine and Franciscan spirituality.
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From Bethlehem To Breaking News, Conspiracies Rewrite The Story – Religion Unplugged
