4 minutes ago, MariaariaM said:

Ah, but that's the thing: you're only supposed to scrutinize the things you don't like. The basic use of conspiracy theories seems to be to A) give their believers an excuse for not being as successful as they think they deserve to be or B ) give them a reason to do what they want even though it isn't very sensible. 

I think there's one more even bigger use - to make the believers feel smart. Everybody likes to feel smart, to be in the know, to have information to share. And a LOT of conspiracy theories have an element of "look at these college educated super 'smart' scientists and others over there, who don't even know this one simple trick that YOU know! Aren't you actually smarter than all them?!"

No, they are not. Some intelligent educated people will fall for conspiracy theories, but the majority of people who buy into them are not the brightest bulbs in the chandelier. 

Because really. If there was a simple treatment protocol for cancer, or any of these conspiracy theories were true, it'd be publicized widely. It wouldn't be something you only hear about from a friend of a friend of a friend on Facebook. Nor would it require an ever increasing network of conspiracies to make it make sense.

On 4/16/2024 at 6:03 PM, Alisamer said:

None of this conspiracy theory mess stands up to any real scrutiny.

Ah, but that's the thing: you're only supposed to scrutinize the things you don't like. The basic use of conspiracy theories seems to be to A) give their believers an excuse for not being as successful as they think they deserve to be or B ) give them a reason to do what they want even though it isn't very sensible. 

12 hours ago, marmalade said:

The compound seems to be in the middle of nowhere. I doubt they're anywhere near a hospital. And I could see arrogant Allison refusing transfer of herself or the baby. 

Looks like the nearest hospital to Mountain Grove MO is Texas County Hospital in Houston, MO,  about 30 min. away.

Meanwhile, I wonder how Liz Bontrager feels about 20-year Christian Bowers. He is a bit of a snacc, as they say.  https://www.instagram.com/christianjetbowers/

I suspect they'll probably give it another try for a girl, and/or to even out the number of kids at 4. 

Just as long as they don't end up like the Weasleys, with a ton of boys in search of the blessed girl child. 

I think they'll probably follow medical advice and proceed with caution, they seem to be capable of thinking and change even if I don't always agree with their beliefs. And I hope Jill is still seeing her therapist, it's amazing how much that seems to have helped her.

1 hour ago, Giraffe said:

As a homeschooling ("homeschooling") parent how is she not hiding in shame that not a single one of her children likes to read? If they were doing a decent job homeschooling I'd expect the answer to be closer to "most of our children love to read. We have one/two who would read 24/7 if we let them and one/two who hate reading with every fiber of their being and one/two who love reading but have to work extra hard at reading."
 

Like the Rods and so many other fundies I snark on, they are abysmal failures at homeschooling. 

In their minds I’m guessing they see their homeschooling efforts as a complete success. Children who don’t read and aren’t ever encouraged to be curious about the world will be far less likely to leave the Borg.