"Conspiracy theories" have been around for most of history: the idea that some group is engaging in secret activities—usually world domination—that the rest of the world knows nothing about. Except, of course, a small group of people who know the truth but are viewed as delusional.

Charles Pigden, in Conspiracy Theories and the Conventional Wisdom, argues that "the reality of such conspiracies should caution against any casual dismissal of conspiracy theory." He notes that the plot to assassinate Abraham Lincoln, the existence of the Mafia, the Watergate burglaries and the Iran-Contra affair were once written off as conspiracy theories.

So, some of today's top conspiracies include:

President Bush, Royal Family actually alien lizards

Christine Fitzgerald claims Princess Di confided in her that the Royal Family were "reptilian aliens, and that they could shape shift." Another source alleges that former president George Bush is also one of them. David Icke, a former BBC reporter, is sold thousands of books claiming, "that humanity is actually under the control of dinosauroid-like alien reptiles who must consume human blood to maintain their human appearance."

Area 51 secretly houses aliens and their spacecraft

And where did these lizard people come from? TV's The X Files claimed, "The truth is out there," and the "truth" is that the secret Air Force base exists for, and I quote, "the storage, examination, and reverse engineering of crashed alien spacecraft (including material supposedly recovered at Roswell), the study of their occupants (living and dead), and the manufacture of aircraft based on alien technology."

The Illuminati rules the world

Rather than alien lizards, others claim the world is ruled by members of an ancient cabal know as, again take your pick: Illuminati, Rosicrucians, Freemasons, Trilateral Commission, the New World Order or Yale's Skull and Bones society. Believers point out that each of these secret organizations actually exist and that President George Washington was a Mason.

Scientologists rule Hollywood

In Tinseltown, Scientology—itself a conspiracy theory— weilds the power. Scientologists believe Xenu, an alien ruler of the "Galactic Confederacy," brought billions of aliens to Earth, stacked them around volcanoes, and blew them up with hydrogen bombs. Their souls then stuck to the bodies of the living. Only by spending thousands of dollars on Scientology "auditing" can you get these aliens off your back.

Apollo 11 moon landing faked by NASA

Conspiracists claim the 1969 moon landing was faked with the cooperation from the CIA. Supporters argue that "photographic anomalies" prove it was all shot on a sound stage.

September 11 terrorist attacks orchestrated by U. S. government

Believers claim the World Trade Towers were taken down by a controlled demolition and that no steel building before or since the 9-11 attack has collapsed as the result of fire. Others claim a cruise missile, not an aircraft, crashed into the Pentagon.

AIDS is a man-made bio-weapon

Theorists claim HIV/AIDS was developed by mad scientists either as [take your pick] a bio-weapon or a genocidal plot to wipe out gays and/or minorities. And which mad scientists are responsible. Again, take your pick of the CIA, the US Army or Russian scientists.

My point—and I do have one—is not to prove or disprove these theories. Here it is from the biblical prophet Isaiah:

The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. He said,
"Don't call everything a conspiracy, like they do,
and don't live in dread of what frightens them.
Make the Lord of Heaven's Armies holy in your life.
He is the one you should fear.
He is the one who should make you tremble.
He will keep you safe (8:11-14).

I can spend my time fearing lizard people, secret societies, and UFOs bent on conquering earth. Or I can spend my time trusting the God who created it all and rules over it all. I'll choose the latter—and steer clear of Buckingham Palace.

© 2009 James N. Watkins

Legal stuff and dire warnings

Copyright © James Watkins. All text and graphics on my sites, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted © in my name, James N. Watkins, and are protected by United States copyright law and international copyright law under the Berne Convention. Please visit the press room for information on reprinting any text or graphics. Thanks!

WARNING: Reader assumes full responsibility for the proper and prescribed use of this site. For external use only. Discontinue if rash, redness, irritation, or swelling develops. If swallowed, do not induce vomiting. Side-effects may include drowsiness or mild to severe agitation. Do not read while consuming alcohol or operating heavy machinery. Keep away from open flame. Do not store above 451 degrees. Do not use near or place in water. Void where prohibited, taxed or licensed. Any medical information provided is for general educational use only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of any other person—real or fictitious, living or dead—using the name James Watkins.