We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains; and not only the creation, but we ourselves groan inwardly while we wait for adoption. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words…I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God. Romans 8
Lately there has been a lot of talk about conspiracy theories and the threat they pose to democracy, public health and the undermining of faith in our institutions. I know some who remind us this is not new, there have always been people who shared conspiratorial mindsets. As a political junkie who used to take out many books from the library’s non-fiction section I can tell you that books written about the 1963 assassination of President Kennedy would take up several shelves. In the late 1980’s there were many in the United Church who believed the “people in Toronto” were sitting behind closed doors strategizing on how to remake our denomination in some radical redesign. In short there has always been a “them” in our public discourse.
To be fair not all suspicions are unwarranted. I like the expression, “Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you.” The reality is we do have a 1%, we do have white male privilege, and we do see corporations exercising more influence on public policy than those who are most directly affected by our government action or inaction. These realities are such that we can with certainty point to “decisions beyond our control.” Where conspiracy theories get problematic is when the finger is pointed at some marginalized group that further victimizes those who are already dealing with generations of systemic injustice. Sadly conspiracy theories are often dressed up narratives that allow us to blame our societal challenges on the poor, persons of colour, new citizens, religious and ethnic minorities.
Scripture reminds us again and again that life is a mystery, that the moral arc of the universe is long and hopefully bends to justice, that all of creation is groaning in travail. That is why I have an ongoing suspicion about certainty, whenever someone says “I know” the likelihood they don’t is very high and the chances what they describe as certainty merely reflects their experience is even higher. So be aware that while our “system” is not always or often fair the imbalance is usually more to do with wealth, power and privilege and less to do with a community acting in some coordinated fashion to lift their kin up and put your kin down.
And limited as it may be all of us do have some agency, we can affect our outcomes more than sometimes we imagine. One of the real downsides to conspiracy theories is how disempowering they are, they make us passive, resentful and bitter. After all we must remember “nothing can separate us from the love of God.”