I like Rev. Todd Wilken. A lot. I cited him in my last link post. The man’s whip-smart and has an incredible ability to put observations into direct, clear language. Don’t underestimate the value in that last part, especially in these confusing times.
That said, today he provides a good opportunity to talk about the necessity of remaining aware of the optics when fighting a conspiracy theory.
For review, remember that the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod is in the midst of a little internal Red Scare. The assertion has been put forth that a covert faction designated, “The Mob,” has organized to terrorize Pastors and Laity who don’t toe the party line into compliance, or flight. Allegedly the main tools of this cooperative are psychological and spiritual abuse.
Unfortunately, by making it a spiritual crime to believe in covert political machinations (if, as I expect, the “Mob” conspiracy is what prompted this tweet), Rev. Wilken plays right into the hands of that paranoia.*
If you are trying to quell fears about the existence of the mob, perhaps it’s best not to show up in a trench coat with a tommy-gun shaped bulge.
Sorry, wrong mob.
Rather, perhaps it’s best not to suggest that belief in a conspiracy theory is de facto sinful. A conspiracy theory is no more automatically an idol than money is, though that can be the end of both. But saying that to give credence to a conspiracy theory is to sin against the Most High God, well… that sounds like something a mobster trying to lean on you would say.
No, no, no, I’m not saying that Rev. Wilken is a mobster. Or a lobster, come to think of it; though I would advise keeping a couple of rubber bands in your pocket, just in case. I’m simply saying that choice of words matters, or you risk “outing yourself” in the minds of those who are scandalized and scared — even if you’re not an operative for an organization that doesn’t exist!
Perception is, unfortunately (and as I’ve been learning about in my personal studies), everything.
*It’s been suggested to me that Rev. Wilken realizes this, and acted with this intention to “troll” the fear-mongers. In which case, he wins the internet for the day.
Last note: Nathan Rinne and I also contributed a bit on Twitter, which I’ll post below. And again, I’m not a believer in the big “Mob,” proper, in the LCMS. But little independently organized factions? Yeah, that’s completely consistent with my experience of human nature — it’s plausible.
The post A Tommy-Gun Shaped Bulge: How Not To Fight a Conspiracy Theory appeared first on The Chi Files.