hi pickles, cont...
....
RE: CONSPIRACY
this might help clarify that words are harmless - without words we'd be in trouble concerning communication, right?:
all "conspiracy" means and has ever meant is:
n. pl. con·spir·a·cies
1. An agreement to perform together an illegal, wrongful, or subversive act.
2. A group of conspirators.
3. Law An agreement between two or more persons to commit a crime or accomplish a legal purpose through illegal action.
4. A joining or acting together, as if by sinister design: a conspiracy of wind and tide that devastated coastal areas.
so, we see the word conspiracy applies in everyday events; all the time. we're in a fallen world, and conspiracies happen millions of time every day.
it's not a huge scary word, and it is a legitimate word.
it means just what the dictionary definition means.
but, since certain recent events in the world have in fact, and on record, involved
large conspiracies and cover-ups, and have on record involved persons we have elected to govern our affairs; people we have placed in positions of trust.....including inside the visisble church.......the word has been used as a method of sheep-dipping (branding; making to look alike; making something appear to be similar), or silencing anyone who
merely discusses possible involvement of persons who desire to not be implicated.
it has become a label that is used
more by those who have learned to reject anything they may hear once the word "conspiracy" is attached to it, than it is used by people who try to investigate history.
legitimate investigation, historical research and examination of current events is way too often dismissed as "conspiracy theory". from my perspective, i find this to be often a stumbling block and rather frustrating.
said another way....the ones harmed by the term "conspiracy theory" are really those who reject everything as conspiracy theory.
....
an example:
it is not unbiblical for a Christian to be employed as a police officer.
as a police officer (means of employment/professional calling); that person would be
virtually useless without the ability to investigate crimes. police officers must have an objective perspective while at the same time be willing to consider any and all suspects and possibilities.
why does a Christian become a police officer? many reasons i guess...one begin a desire for justice.
can you imagine if a detective investigating a crime or potential crime was derided as a "conspiracy theorist" for following leads on a case?
....
the other word attached to the already (intentionally) loaded word "conspiracy"...is
the word "theory".
okay...let's look at the word theory (the words themselves are legitimate! as is their meaning!):
the·o·ry [thee-uh-ree, theer-ee]
noun, plural the·o·ries.
1.
a coherent group of tested general propositions, commonly regarded as correct, that can be used as principles of explanation and prediction for a class of phenomena: Einstein's theory of relativity. Synonyms: principle, law, doctrine.
2.
a proposed explanation whose status is still conjectural and subject to experimentation, in contrast to well-established propositions that are regarded as reporting matters of actual fact. Synonyms: idea, notion hypothesis, postulate. Antonyms: practice, verification, corroboration, substantiation.
3.
Mathematics . a body of principles, theorems, or the like, belonging to one subject: number theory.
4.
the branch of a science or art that deals with its principles or methods, as distinguished from its practice: music theory.
5.
a particular conception or view of something to be done or of the method of doing it; a system of rules or principles: conflicting theories of how children best learn to read.
......
so the two words are simple and legitimate.
placed side by side, they ACTUALLY BECOME WEAPONIZED.
and are wielded as weapons both against the researcher and those who react negatively to the two words.
those two words are too often used against genuine investigation and search for justice, if not just truth.
what i've taken from your OP - is to remember AGAIN that i fail regularly to keep truth and love together.
i'm also aware that CC may not be the best forum for discussing global politics or varying worldviews and the like.
this doesn't effect my personal convictions or calling.
just the assumption and perhaps hope that i may find others who "multitask" (lol....can't think of a better word).
perhaps critical thinking is closer to what i mean.
this may not be the place for my contributions....if i have any.
i'll think it over.
i try not to go into crackpot postulations and krazy reptile talk. i may be failing.
i'll have to measure things overall.
perhaps this isn't the best place.
God Bless in Christ Our Lord pickles,
zone.
get out of here!