Cults, Culture & Coercion with Dr. Steve Hassan QAnon, Chaos and the Cross: Christianity and Conspiracy Theories with Dr. Michael Austin and Dr. Gregory Bock
Jun 5, 2023
Gregory L. Bock, a philosophy and religion scholar focused on ethics and forgiveness, and Michael W. Austin, a philosopher of ethics and author on humility, discuss Christianity’s responses to QAnon and similar conspiracies. They explore how conspiracies affect churches and families. They outline relationship-first strategies, intellectual virtues to cultivate, and practical steps for pastors, parents, and communities to promote discernment and healing.
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Use Respectful Curiosity First
- Listen with respectful curiosity and paraphrase to confirm understanding before challenging beliefs.
- Offer reciprocity: ask them to share persuasive sources and agree to review something of yours together.
Family Ruptures From Conspiracy Belief
- Michael W. Austin shared a friend whose relationship with his dad was strained because the dad became invested in conspiracy theories.
- The book aims to be a resource both for families and for believers to think more carefully.
Praise, Then Probe — Not Debate
- Aim to praise and then probe: listen, affirm what is right, and gently question dubious claims.
- Make winning the relationship, not the argument, your goal so the person feels loved and heard.
