Conspiracy Theories in Congregations: A Pastoral Response
Interest in understanding and responding to conspiracy theories has exploded in recent years. This article seeks to engage with a range of scholarship utilizing a practical theological methodology in order to discern an appropriate response. Because conspiracy theories often produce division in cong...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | |
| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
2022
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| In: |
International journal of practical theology
Year: 2022, Volume: 26, Issue: 2, Pages: 276-293 |
| Further subjects: | B
Conspiracy Theories
B Congregations B Fringe B Verschwörungstheorien B fringe B pastoral leadership B Church leadership B Gemeinden |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | Interest in understanding and responding to conspiracy theories has exploded in recent years. This article seeks to engage with a range of scholarship utilizing a practical theological methodology in order to discern an appropriate response. Because conspiracy theories often produce division in congregations, as well as isolate the conspiracists from their faith community, responding in a wise manner is clearly important. This article first surveys some of the theory and research related to the topic and then discusses the connections between religion and conspiracy theories. It then moves to recommend that a "pastoral" response, including a focus on caring and maintaining sense of belonging, is preferred to a rationalist response, aimed at convincing the conspiracists that they are wrong. Der Aufsatz fragt danach, wie Pastor*innen angemessen mit der stark zunehmenden Präsenz von Verschwörungstheorien in ihren Gemeinden umgehen können. Besonderes Interesse gilt dabei der Gefahr, dass Verschwörungstheorien Gemeinden spalten und ihre Anhänger dadurch von ihrer Glaubensgemeinschaft isolieren. Der Aufsatz empfiehlt einen seelsorglich akzentuierten Umgang mit Verschwörungstheoretiker*innen, der nicht auf die Widerlegung ihrer Überzeugungen sondern auf die Aufrechterhaltung eines Zugehörigkeitsgefühls ausgerichtet ist. |
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| ISSN: | 1612-9768 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: International journal of practical theology
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1515/ijpt-2021-0053 |