Conspirituality

Conspirituality

Conspirituality is a neologism that describes the intersection of conspiracy theories and spirituality. It refers to a cultural phenomenon where elements of conspiracy thinking are combined with spiritual beliefs, often resulting in a unique worldview that challenges mainstream narratives and institutions. This term has gained traction in recent years, particularly with the rise of social media platforms that facilitate the spread of both conspiracy theories and spiritual content.

Origins and Definition

The term "conspirituality" was first coined by sociologists Charlotte Ward and David Voas in their 2011 paper, "The Emergence of Conspirituality." They defined it as a "political spirituality" that combines two core beliefs:

1. A covert group or organization is controlling, or attempting to control, the political and social order. 2. Humanity is undergoing a 'paradigm shift' in consciousness, often associated with spiritual awakening or enlightenment.

These beliefs are often intertwined, with the idea that uncovering and resisting the conspiracy is part of the spiritual awakening process.

Characteristics

Conspirituality is characterized by a blend of skepticism towards traditional authorities and institutions, such as governments and scientific bodies, with a belief in alternative spiritual practices and ideas. Common themes include:

• Distrust of Mainstream Media: Conspiritualists often believe that mainstream media is complicit in hiding the truth.
• Alternative Health Practices: There is a strong emphasis on natural and holistic health practices, often accompanied by skepticism towards conventional medicine.
• New Age Beliefs: Many conspiritualists incorporate New Age beliefs, such as astrology, energy healing, and the law of attraction.
• Apocalyptic Narratives: Some conspirituality narratives include predictions of imminent societal collapse or transformation.

Influence and Impact

Conspirituality has gained significant influence through online communities and social media platforms. Influencers and content creators who promote conspirituality often have large followings, and their content can spread rapidly. This has raised concerns about the potential for conspirituality to contribute to misinformation and radicalization.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the impact of conspirituality, as conspiracy theories about the virus and vaccines have merged with spiritual narratives about health and freedom.

Criticism

Critics of conspirituality argue that it can lead to harmful consequences, such as:

• Misinformation: The spread of false or misleading information, particularly regarding health and science.
• Polarization: Increased social and political polarization, as conspiritual beliefs often reject mainstream consensus.
• Exploitation: Vulnerable individuals may be exploited by those selling products or services based on conspiritual beliefs.

Also see

• Conspiracy theory
• New Age movement
• Alternative medicine
• Spirituality
• Misinformation