AIBU to hesitate over dating an old friend with conspiracy beliefs?

[Badmom101]

I’ve recently reconnected with a man that I’ve known since school, so well over 40 years. We were close in our teens/early 20’s, nothing romantic, used to hang around in a big group and had a couple of drunken snogs/fumbles but it never turned into anything more, although always thought he was a lovely guy. We all drifted apart, got married had kids and I hadn’t seen or spoken to him for over 20 years. Fast forward to now and we’re both divorced, kids grown up and we met again last year at an event. We still get on really well, have kept in touch, frequent texting and met for a few walks and coffee, and there’s definitely been a bit of flirting going on from both sides. However - he is a 100% believer that lizard people walk amongst us!! That they are in places of power - think royal family, trump etc - and they control society. Apart from that he’s perfectly normal 🥴, has a good, professional, responsible job, a lovely relationship with his kids and family, good group of friends including some of his old friendship circle from school, so I don’t really know what to make of it. On one hand I’m thinking it would be nice to see where, if anywhere, this might lead and that I shouldn’t write him off based on his beliefs, in the same way that I wouldn’t write him off if he was devoutly Christian for example, but on the other hand I’m thinking, hell no, run for the hills! Would be interested to hear what others would feel/think?! So AIBU - yes, give the poor man a chance if he is otherwise lovely or AINBU - hell no, run for the hills.

I mean, he's a lunatic. And thick.

But crack on. It's not something I could ignore.

Do you want to hear lizard people talk all the time? and further bizarre theories? Then date him.

Bet this is just the tip of the iceberg - I couldn't be bothered.

I love chatting about conspiracy theories. I find them fascinating.

I would absolutely never date someone who believed in the likes of the lizard people ones. Maybe I would consider it if it was someone who believes in some of the less weird ones.

Ime those people tend to get themselves into an online echo chamber, and then all the rest of the crazy theories start and you never hear the end of it.

he is a 100% believer that lizard people walk amongst us!! That they are in places of power - think royal family, trump etc - and they control society. Apart from that he’s perfectly normal

I refuse to believe he can think lizard people walk amongst us and be perfectly normal apart from that.

Nope.

Hell no!!
Does this man seriously believe in lizards as people?? Or is his conspiracy theory- like so many conspiracy theories sadly- an anti semitic metaphor?
As the person who came up with the ‘lizard’ theory in the first place (David Icke) is a total anti semite!
Basically I really would just avoid!!

You can't believe in lizard people and be mentally well

He's certainly gone all in with an extreme shape shifting lizard theory. Couldn't he have started with a more entry level 'fake moon landing'?

Ok, good, thank you. This is what I needed to hear as I was starting to wonder whether I would be cutting off my nose to spite my face, as we all believe in different things. But yeah, this one is a definite red flag and I know if we were together I’d dread him mixing with my friends or brothers and they’d all rip the piss out of him and wonder if I’d also lost the plot! Such a shame though as he is lovely ☹️.

I find it very unlikely that's all he believes in - Lizard People is quite a long way along the conspiracy theorist line. What's his social media use like?

I would be very cautious, in fact would almost certainly not go there.

Funnily enough Icke is the book he read when he was about 18 which got him believing in it, and he keeps sending me links to a website called gaia, but I really don’t want to go down that rabbit hole. It’s good to hear a unanimous no, as I thought maybe I was just being ignorant as to what is really going on in the big wide world! 🤣

It’s not reasonable to compare being a Christian with believing in lizard people. The guy is an idiot,
don’t be one too

Yeah the fake moon landing I could maybe get on board with 🤣.

Yes I know, I just meant I didn’t know whether I should give him a chance just because we have different views and beliefs, but I’m glad I asked the question as my gut instinct appears to be right! 🤣

I’d like to know what the lizard people who voted that I am unreasonable have to say on the matter.

I find they’re often hugely antisemitic so it’s a huge swerve from me. My best friend fell down this rabbit hole years ago. I love him, he’s always been a bit ‘woo’ (into star signs and crystals and tarot and shit) but he forgot I was half Jewish when he started spouting about Jews running the world. They always seem to be wrapped up in this. He also believes in Icke’s bullshit about the Royal’s sucking children’s blood and such. Earth is also definitely flat. It’s difficult to listen to.

I’ll also say that DH’s Uncle fell down this trap during Covid. He’s convinced the world order will be reset so has created a bunker in his cellar and has been buying bars of gold. He recently got divorced from his wife of over 30 years as a result…

Yeah, that's pretty far advanced

I think I've met a few of these, but they've made themselves obvious with more subtle ones first

You'll probably find he believes a whole bunch of strange stuff

He's not a flat earther is he?

I know some people, seems like men in particular think these conspiracies are really fun, but I don't think they are. I think it's frightening what people believe these days.

I thought this one was a joke when I first heard it it came as a real shock to me to find it actually has roots and people have been thinking it for awhile

Does he really seem totally normal otherwise?

ps I'd be worried that he is antisemitic

Only person, I know who touched on this was secretly antisemitic we don't see her anymore

A quote I remember from somewhere or other seems apt here…
’Don’t go opening that can of crazy.’

@Sartre what did he say when he realised you were half Jewish

A friend’s boyfriend when I met him was into conspiracy theories, then my friend went to see David Icke live!

I’d love to believe the lizard theory but the only lizards who are real people dressed up are in the 80s tv show The Adventure Game. well dragons actually…

Run don’t walk from this nutcase.

I wondered that too…

I had no idea about this lizard people theory, just been off to Google and it's insane. No sane person is believing this. It just makes you wonder what other things he believes?!

David Icke in 70s/80s used to be a perfectly normal sports presenter (football), that’s what makes it worse, my brother used to watch him as a kid. 🤣😱

I'd imagine he would spend a lot of time trying to convince you. Swerve time. 🏃‍♀️

I’ve just read David Icke’s wiki page… omg what a complete and utter fruit loop!