The Gullibility Pandemic
The invasion of the US Capitol building on Wednesday, which many commentators say was a direct result of President Trump’s rhetoric at a rally called on the day that the US Congress was set to certify the election of Joe Biden, gives pause for thought.
President Trump addressed the rally of his supporters and urged them to march to the Capitol building. Did he think through the possible ramifications of urging his supporters to converge on the seat of American democracy on that particular day?
On deeper level, does President Trump really believe that the election was stolen and there was significant fraudulent voting, given the evidence to the contrary and that the election results have been generally accepted in America and around the world? If not, what was his purpose in maintaining something which is patently untrue? If he does believe this assertion what does this show about his state of mind?
On the back of this question it is reasonable to ask whether his supporters on Wednesday believed the election was fraudulent. Interviews with some supporters by the BBC would seem to show they did. If this is true, how could they believe it – I mean really believe it in the face of all the evidence?
Furthermore demonising the Democrats is hardly conducive to unity and good will among Americans.
Looking back in history there are plenty of examples of people seeking influence and power making false assertions, advancing ridiculous theories and ideologies which run counter to logic, fact, common sense and moral rectitude and yet are widely believed.
It seems that people can believe almost anything if the circumstances are right.
- One race or ethnicity is better or superior than another
- Rich people are better and more worthy of esteem than poor people
- Climate change is an illusion
- Threatening the world with annihilation with weapons of mass destruction maintains peace
- Mothers ending the lives their unborn babies is an inalienable human right
- Same sex marriage is possible
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Many who hold views which are counter cultural are too easily demonised.
For example, Christians who are welcoming and non judgemental towards those with same a sex preference and support Civil Partnerships but maintain the time honoured and Scriptural understanding that marriage by definition is necessarily unitive and procreative, are accused of homophobia and not permitted (de facto) to hold office in government or serve as Registrars or in other similar professions on a conscientious objection basis.
Similar prejudice is directed by many towards those who maintain that because an unborn baby is human it should be afforded the same rights as those whose voices can be heard. Paramount among human rights is the right to life.
Those who are pro life in fact have the deepest concern for the welfare of mothers -to -be and maintain that all too often poverty, sexual abuse by partners and pressure from others lead to abortion and it is these issues which really need to be addressed so that mothers enjoy the right to have their babies.
Many are too ready to believe;
- What they are told to believe
- What they want to believe for reasons extrinsic to the merits of the belief itself
- What prejudice and ignorance prompt them to believe
“Make America great again.”
By denying climate change? By building an expensive wall along the Mexican border? By leaving the WHO? By moving the American Embassy to Jerusalem? By permitting guns to be in the hands of mentally ill people so they can go on a killing spree? By not supporting the BLM demand for equal treatment for all Americans? By continuing the arms race?
By denying the truth about the election?
As Joe Biden said, it is an ‘embarrassment’ not to concede.
Wednesday cost the lives of five people who might be walking around today.
There is much at stake and a great many lives lost due to the gullibility pandemic. It will take more than a mask to fix it.