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Original poster

Anyone else have conspiracy theory family?

64 replies

ConspiracyFamily · 15/12/2020 14:49

I have family members who think covid is all just a conspiracy theory, the vaccine is to make politicians money as they have shares in Pfizer etc, the vaccine will have a tracker in it, or the best yet - the vaccine has something in it that will kill off the elderly as it's all about population control Hmm.

I just can't deal with them. Also they think the new strain has a convenient time to be found and can be used as an excuse to cancel Christmas.

Tbh I'm worried about the cases rising, I've barely been out the last few days and have massively minimised contacts to try and keep my family safe at Christmas. I'm worried about the long term impact of other healthcare issues - my hospital has already cancelled most outpatient appointments and we were already at breaking point before they cancelled them in terms of waiting list times.

How do you deal with conspiracy theory family members?

OP posts:
Nore · 16/12/2020 08:26

@IHTC

I do and I quite like it. Makes for interesting conversations. The world would be a boring place if we all thought the same Smile
If you think that idiots who are liable to refuse the vaccine because it contains a tracker or for some other nonsense reason are just providing you with an amusing topic of conversation, then frankly, you’re almost as bad.
AuntieMarys · 16/12/2020 08:27

My stepson. Luckily he lives thousands of miles away.

SallyCinnamonYoureMyWorld · 16/12/2020 08:29

that's frustrating they think that. Viruses mutate, that's normal. So it stands to reason we can catch it more than once!

It's so irritating! I just have to not broach the subject with her anymore. Any mention of it and it is dismissed as "don't worry so much". I don't worry so much, but I'm not an idiot. It's so frustrating that I'm made out to be overly anxious when I'm really not. Just reasonably anxious, like most people are about a pandemic which is killing lots of people and overwhelming the hospitals where I live. If I wasn't a little anxious about that, THAT would make me the weird one tbh.

trulydelicious · 16/12/2020 08:44

@Lockdowner13

It never ceases to amaze me how some manage to find a correlation between completely unrelated traits:

religious people
people who make 'bad' life choices (in your opinion)
victims of internet scams
stingy parents
people worried about Covid vaccines
homophobics
racists
etc
etc

You have quite a vivid imagination for a scientist. You should do well writing fiction books

It's not just you. I see people establishing these convoluted connections all the time. It's hilarious!

trulydelicious · 16/12/2020 08:48

@Thegentleman

The truth it somewhere at a point between the 2

^Yes, I think this is probably right

Nore · 16/12/2020 09:29

@Thegentleman

There are crazy extreme conspiracies that are lies. Unfortunately the governments consistently lie to the people and have done so ever since governments began. The truth it somewhere at a point between the 2. Extreme conspiracy theorists need to think more rationally that all things are not conspiracies. On the other side of the coin anti-conspiracy theory people need to realise the government are not there to serve and protect them(even though they should be). They are there to serve themselves, friends and family. Even if it means bare face lies, corruption and even war resulting in many deaths.
Right. The government has somehow managed to get at and gag all the scientists, medics and public health officials involved in all vaccines, their development, testing and approval, for their own nefarious purposes. Is this just Westminster, or all governments? I have no difficulty whatsoever believing in the mendacity and self-servingness of the current cabinet, but I have much more of a problem believing they are competent enough to organise a cover-up of this scale.

The one thing conspiracy theorists seem to have in common is that they believe in the capacity for innumerable masses being kept permanently silent and on-message for indefinite periods.

Lockdowner13 · 16/12/2020 09:47

There is a correlation though...

Her religious beliefs mean that she doesn’t believe in gay relationships... she is homophobic in many of her social media posts as a result.

Her religious belief means that she is extremely pro life, she believes that the vaccine contains aborted foetus materials and will not touch it because of that

Her religious belief means that she feels compelled to help people (not her own family) so she frequently gets scammed by strangers on internet often giving large sums of money all in the name of religion

I could go on...

Lockdowner13 · 16/12/2020 09:55

“Bad life choices” = believing that bill gates is trying to kill you or track you with Nanotechnology and refusing to take a vaccine that could ultimately extend your life.

As an example... it’s completely made up. She’s forever getting blocked on social media for making stuff up/spreading fake news.

A few months ago she thought that 5g caused coronavirus. She even sent us a device that would “block” 5g to protect us. She got this on the internet at substantial cost.

trulydelicious · 16/12/2020 10:10

@Lockdowner13

I can see some of your points now you are explaining in more detail

But people make these weird connections all the time (e.g. if someone supports a political party then it's dead sure they will make X decision about their health and they are likely to be uneducated... and so on). I see it more and more on the Covid threads

She even sent us a device that would “block” 5g to protect us. She got this on the internet at substantial cost

Well, this is one step too far, yes Shock

trulydelicious · 16/12/2020 10:12

It's the nonsensical stereotyping that I have an issue with

ZednotZee · 16/12/2020 10:22

I'm Catholic and won't be taking the vaccine if it is proven to have been developed using aborted foetal cell lines.
It is not morally acceptable for me to do so.

If this leads anybody to assume that I'm a tin foil hatter then that would be for reasons aligned to their own ignorance.

trulydelicious · 16/12/2020 10:35

@Lockdowner13

I mean, I can see that you have concerns about your relative

The problem is that your post read as if you were generalising

e.g. all people who are religious make bad choices and fall for internet scams

Nore · 16/12/2020 10:45

@ZednotZee

I'm Catholic and won't be taking the vaccine if it is proven to have been developed using aborted foetal cell lines. It is not morally acceptable for me to do so.

If this leads anybody to assume that I'm a tin foil hatter then that would be for reasons aligned to their own ignorance.

Well, congratulations on yet again putting the ‘life’ of a clump of cells ahead of that of actual people living their lives in the world. Hmm
ImNotCutOutForThis · 16/12/2020 10:49

Yes but distant family who post lots of stuff and quotes in FB. I read it as I find it amusing. However there's been a couple which can make people question any truth in what's being said, and I guess that's the aim.

ZednotZee · 16/12/2020 11:01

Nore

I do find myself wondering if you would ever be so reductive and glib with regard to the beliefs of a Muslim or a Jew?

And also whether MN would tolerate you doing so.

Lockdowner13 · 16/12/2020 11:23

Well unfortunately these opinions seem to be quite common amongst her friends. There are many many people on internet with similar outlook on life. She said that she would rather never see her family again than use a vaccine that has foetal matter in

ZednotZee · 16/12/2020 11:30

Lockdowner13

If your relative is young and healthy then I see no reason why she should compromise her beliefs for a virus which she has a 99.7% chance of surviving should she catch it.

She will obviously need to keep her distance from the elderly and clinically vulnerable to preserve their safety.
I know its difficult for you to understand but for religious people science will not supercede our faith when what science is asking us to do is regarded as sinful.

Its not the foetal tissue which is is the issue, it is the method of procurement. We can have nothing to do with abortion or the products resulting from it and I believe that this should be respected.

Haffiana · 16/12/2020 11:33

Conspiracy theories are the new religion.

People who wouldn't be seen dead believing in a God that causes everything to happen in the world and which they have no proof for, will happily instead believe in an unseen group of humans with secret powers that is conspiring to change the world.

And just like a religious fanatic, you cannot argue with them using logic and facts, because it is a deeply, DEEPLY held belief system.

And further, just like a religious fanatic, they believe that they are 'special' and 'chosen' because they can See the Truth and everyone else is blind.

Lockdowner13 · 16/12/2020 11:46

Unfortunately my relative is in her 70s with a chronic lung condition

ZednotZee · 16/12/2020 12:03

I guess she will simply have to shield for an extended length of time, or until the pandemic has run its course, as they all do of course.

My own mother is in a similar predicament, she too will refuse the Pfizer vaccine and will look with interest to the origins of the Oxford/Astra and any others which become licensed.

IAmADNAMA · 16/12/2020 12:06

@Haffiana

Conspiracy theories are the new religion.

People who wouldn't be seen dead believing in a God that causes everything to happen in the world and which they have no proof for, will happily instead believe in an unseen group of humans with secret powers that is conspiring to change the world.

And just like a religious fanatic, you cannot argue with them using logic and facts, because it is a deeply, DEEPLY held belief system.

And further, just like a religious fanatic, they believe that they are 'special' and 'chosen' because they can See the Truth and everyone else is blind.

This 100%!
Pantheon · 16/12/2020 12:09

Yes, I do and it drives me nuts. Believes YouTube but not 'mainstream media'. I am a 'sheep' lol. Apparently belief in conspiracies increases in times of uncertainty. But you cant argue with conspiracy theorists as that doesn't help - you can only encourage them to analyse, ask what the source of their information is. Narcissists more likely to be conspiracy theorists which can be a double whammy of difficult. It's an absolute Pita especially right now as it could even be dangerous.

BlueBlancmange · 16/12/2020 12:10

@Haffiana

Conspiracy theories are the new religion.

People who wouldn't be seen dead believing in a God that causes everything to happen in the world and which they have no proof for, will happily instead believe in an unseen group of humans with secret powers that is conspiring to change the world.

And just like a religious fanatic, you cannot argue with them using logic and facts, because it is a deeply, DEEPLY held belief system.

And further, just like a religious fanatic, they believe that they are 'special' and 'chosen' because they can See the Truth and everyone else is blind.

I totally agree. Also, like a religious fanatic, they feel compelled to spread the word to try to convert people.
Pantheon · 16/12/2020 12:10

You are so right @Haffiana!

AcornAutumn · 16/12/2020 12:12

@ZednotZee

I'm Catholic and won't be taking the vaccine if it is proven to have been developed using aborted foetal cell lines. It is not morally acceptable for me to do so.

If this leads anybody to assume that I'm a tin foil hatter then that would be for reasons aligned to their own ignorance.

The Catholic Church don’t share your view so people are going to get confused.