Conspiracy Theories

For years, I believed conspiracy theories about the assassination of President Kennedy. It seemed reasonable to believe that this shocking and momentous even was planned and executed by powerful people. If those people could be identified and punished, then justice would finally be served, and all who mourned would find a sense of closure.

Were we expected to believe the alternative, that one man acting alone had shocked the world and changed the course of history? How can one human being have that much power to do evil?

Were we expected to accept the truth would never be known because the assassin himself was silence with a bullet two days later, an event that further exacerbated suspicions of a conspiracy?

I understand the appeal of conspiracy theories. They comfort our anxieties and frustrations by offering the hope of a just and sensible resolution to a situation that leaves us feeling powerless. It’s tempting to believe that dark forces are to blame when difficulties arise, but that one day those dark forces will be vanquished when the truth of their actions is finally known.

Reality is not always thrilling. The truth is simple and straightforward. What you see is what really happened. Water doesn’t freeze because some secret society want to trick you into believing in ice. Ice is real. If we don’t accept that reality, we may put ourselves and others in danger.

Today’s conspiracy theories follow the same pattern. They suggest that dark forces are secretly in control, and they will continue to do terrible things until the truth is revealed by heroic people. By recognizing the pattern, we can avoid falling prey to an unhelpful and dangerous fantasy.