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.

Talked out of it, persuaded otherwise, best you can think of is he may change his opinions but in this case he’s been a devotee of Icke since he was 18! It’s basically his life story along with the near death experience (I’m not minimising this). Worst is he would say he had no reason to change and may even turn on you as you don’t have the same beliefs and he sees you as a threat.

But… he is probably fine as a friend. It’s disappointing I know especially as you find him attractive but listen to your gut, it’s there for a reason.

Having known a few men of this age (or slightly younger) with extreme views, it’s not a pull out funny joke. They’re dead serious about these things, at least, in my experience.

I think the comparison to Christianity was fair, and I'm a Christian who doesn't believe in lizard people. Both are beliefs with no scientific evidence to back them up.

I think he is a lizard person and he's sounding you out to join the conspiracy.

I mean, there are pros and cons to adding fluoride to water. Believing in lizard people is completely different!

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12662105/

No, no, no. Don’t do it. Step away from the crazy.

Omg don’t do it. I bet what you’ve heard from him so far is just the tip of the crazy Iceberg

Yes but it's hard. There's are some books and online discussions on this topic. If this is the only conspiracy he believes in, ie, not totally in the weeds, it'll be easier.

I think they're pretty comparable really - it's just that one has been around longer and is more popular, so isn't looked at askance anymore. But they're both pretty unbelievable when looked at objectively.

Although to be fair, I wouldn't date a Christian or a lizard person believer. I think the OP should probably stay friends with this one unless the chemistry between them is so overwhelming she can't help herself - in which case I'd suggest casual FwBs, not a full-blown relationship.

Well, I don’t disagree, but in theory at least Christian requires you to live out a system of ethics that include justice, compassion and loving your neighbour, whereas being a conspiracy theorist requires nothing but a particular type of gullibility and contempt for ‘sheeple’.

maybe im being naive scrolling through other comments but the otherwise lovely part made me think you could give it a couple of dates and see just how deep the belief runs… ie is it just something whacky he might mention on occasion but not all encompassing? thats why i voted unreasonable but tbh i dont know huge amounts about lizard people, had i read the comments first i might have voted the other way. You could say you think it’s crackers and are concerned some that think that have extreme (not pleasant) views, see how he responds and go from there? My husband puts up with my curiosity about ghosts, but thats as far into conspiracy theories as i go!

I'm afraid that theory doesn't really translate through to reality in this case - for the most part, Christians are no more or less just, compassionate, or kind than anyone else, and can be more prone in my experience to the just world fallacy, or pushing victims to forgive perpetrators of abuse, for instance.

As for being a conspiracy theorist - well, it depends on the conspiracy theory, but with something like 'lizard people', I agree that it doesn't indicate a well-balanced world outlook. Although I don't think that contempt for others is necessarily part of it.

Like I said, in theory.

I'm not sure why you brought it up if it has no bearing on reality, but fair enough - I agree that is the theory that gets touted.

I’d run a mile. If he believes this he’s either very mentally slow or going through a crisis.

No this was about avoiding fluoride as it poisoned you or something.

Sorry OP but I went down a rabbit hole last night and googled David Icke and lizard people on MN. Let’s just say the posts gave me a good giggle which I heartily need at the moment, so thanks for that. :)

I totally agree.
I wouldn't right this guy off yet.
It's interesting that he's been raised in a Catholic faith. No disrespect to Catholicism but it's more of an intense religion than C of E in England and Wales.
Maybe this is a sort of substitute hardliner religion for him.

No I'm going to go against the grain here and maybe right it off as a foible IF he's otherwise a good father, solvent and has a stable job.

I see no difference to his lizard people and other faiths.

There probably is a reason he is single... I'm married to someone who believes in certain conspiracy theories. It colours their whole life... and you get saturated with the talk. Your choice, but it's not an easy road.

Good, the plot to conceal our clandestine cold-blooded command continues to be mocked by the general public. Soon our scaley superiority will rule over all!

Oh no - wrong chat box!

Well he wouldn’t be for me , imagine having to listen to that shite .
Literally couldn’t cope with him being around me , not to mind getting romantically involved with him.

You can not be half Jewish.

You'd need to be off your rocker to take up with a conspiracy theorist.

Another thread insulting Catholics. You've probably never been to mass or read a bible. Yet make assumptions. It's very boring and ignorant.