How Conspiracy Theories and Neurological Factors Can Relate to Religion

One popular aspect of today’s media are conspiracy theories. Yet, parts of the social sciences can see them as irrational, false, or even blame them on religion. What we don’t realize as a society is how often conspiracy theories impact people of all backgrounds on a daily basis. As modern technology and science progress, more and more conspiracy theories are being introduced as a possible explanation to an event or occurrence that may have gone unsolved. Some in society can see conspiracy theories as new ideas or creations, where others can see them as demeaning or improbable. Another way some look at popular conspiracy theories is relating it to their religious beliefs. Whether that is believing the theory is true or not, it can give someone a different perspective of what may be happening.

A conspiracy theory can be defined in many different ways, but a popular way to explain the idea is, “A theory that explains an event or set of circumstances as a result of a secret plot by usually powerful conspirators,” according to Merriam-Webster [see citation page]. Scientists believe that due to the various crises happening in our society, such as terrorist attacks and natural disasters that these life changing events can cause high uncertainty across people (Roitman, 2011). Unfortunately, unexpected events are becoming more and more typical in our time era. With that, people in our society want to understand how and why events happen; particularly events that have a negative impact on the community (Bruckmüller, 2017). With continuous and evolving events in the world, this often creates confusion within our mind and differentiating between certain events. Thus, the idea of conspiracy theories come into play.

The human brain is wired to see patterns or sequences. For example, a rainbow means a storm has just passed or something that happens in your personal life, such as your dog goes outside every morning and then comes back inside to eat breakfast. It’s a routine. When things are connected to a sequence of events that you are use to, your brain connects the dots, but when something unusual or unexpected happens, your brain doesn’t know how to connect the data. In theory, it’s in shock about what event just occurred. With unconnected data, there is no pattern, but your brain wants to know the answer to something and everyone’s brain works and thinks differently. Hence, there are hundreds of conspiracy theories (Stephen, 2008).

Another factor that affects our thoughts is dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that sends signals to the brain and also specializes in decision making. Having a higher amount of dopamine is not uncommon, but most people do not realize the effects it can cause. In the same part of the brain where dopamine is released is the same place where a spiritual or religious person would keep their thoughts about their beliefs. In a recent study from the University of Utah, it was concluded that neurologically, religious beliefs are similar to the sensation of love and drug usage (Clark, 2016).

It is not uncommon to hear that religion can cause extraordinary behavior. People who have spiritual or religious experiences tend to have a higher amount of dopamine in their body. The higher the amount of dopamine, the more likely they are to have ideas or believe in popular conspiracy theories based on what they’ve heard, seen, and read spiritually (Clark, 2016).

Conspiracy theories can be directly and indirectly related to religion. For example, a widely popular conspiracy theory today is the flat earth theory. Essentially, the flat earth theory is the idea that the earth as we know it is not round, but we live on a flat surface with four corners. This theory started because the curvature of the earth is incredibly difficult to see; even from above sea level in an airplane. In the Bible, it talks about the earth having a firmament and having the heavens above the firmament. In Genesis 1:6-8 (King James Version) it reads:

“And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. 7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day,” (Genesis 1:6-8, King James Version).

A firmament is considered, “the arch of the sky,” according to Merriam Webster [see citation page]. With a firmament, it allows humans to believe that the earth as we know it is round. To Christians and other spiritual believers, this makes sense because the heavens are above and hell is below. In common translations of the Apostles' Creed, it states, “He descended to the dead” and “He ascended into heaven,” (Apostles’ Creed, Contemporary Version). Contrary to what the Old Testament says about the earth, later on in the book of Revelation, it talks about the four corners of the earth.

Revelation, 7:1 reads:

“And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree,” (Revelation 7:1, King James Version).

A round, spherical shape has no corners, so with this, it could be believed that the earth is flat. This verse is from the book of Revelation, which has controversy about it as a whole regarding who wrote it, why it was written the way it is, and even how it made it into the New Testament. The book of Revelation is unlike any other book in the Bible as it is almost written apocalyptically. There have been conspiracy theories about the book of Revelation being a prediction of how the world as we know it will end or some theories have even mentioned that perhaps Revelation has already passed (Ireland, 2009). With it being written so differently than the rest of the Bible, this could influence readers either way if they think the earth is flat or not.

Not only can popular conspiracy theories that are seen in the media be related to religion, but there are also numerous conspiracy theories about the Bible itself and other world religions such as Buddhism. For example, there are theories that there is a secret code in the Bible that can predict certain events in the future or the theory in the Da Vinci Code that Mary Magdalene was much more than just a follower to Jesus.

Personally, I can see both sides of the spectrum and understand how some of these theories could be logical and believable. I am a science-related major with a strong interest in neurological sciences. I do believe that increased dopamine does affect your thought process and how things are aligned, but I also believe that Christians and people with spiritual beliefs take into consideration what the Bible and/or their spiritual text of choice says. Furthermore, I believe to some extent, a person’s thought process of certain beliefs are based upon how they grew up and/or how their parents believe it is because this is what is familiar to them. As for my personal view, I take into consideration of my Christian beliefs. Without reading the entire book of Revelation, I cannot fully say how I feel about it, but for the part I have read, I do understand and realize how differently it is written and can see why that could be off putting to some readers.

Conspiracy theories are immensely popular in today’s society. Some people can see them as interesting concepts that could resolve unsolved mysteries, while others can see them as deceptive propositions. Many factors play into one’s beliefs of conspiracy theories including their religious beliefs. Whether someone believes them or not, new conspiracy theories are coming out everyday.