misinformation debunked by fact checking sites

[Frances Bennett]

8 hours ago, New World Explorer said:

Conspiracy Theory- The Great Reset: A theory that suggests the COVID-19 pandemic is being used as a pretext for a global elite to "reset" the world order, imposing a new, authoritarian system. (Conspiracy theories often are marked by extremely high level of speculation and sowing doubt) 

 

Interesting that you use this example.

 

The Great Reset is a proposition of the World Economic Forum, a think tank that became a strategic partner of the United Nations a few months prior to the outbreak of the pandemic:

 

https://www.weforum.org/press/2019/06/world-economic-forum-and-un-sign-strategic-partnership-framework/

 

One of the main objectives of the partnership, according to the press release above, is "to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda". 'The Great Reset' proposition is a big part of that.

 

Here is the United Nations page on the 2030 agenda:

 

https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda

 

As Christians our perception of the world and the decisions proposed by it's leaders,  particularly the organisations identified in prophecy, are focused through the lens of bible understanding.

 

Here is some WEF source material on 'The Great Reset'

 

https://www.weforum.org/videos/series/the-great-reset-863c8ea2d4/

 

Watching / reading the source material and analysing it through the lens of bible understanding raises many questions.

 

The Great Reset is being held out as a hope for a bright new future for humanity, if only humanity would take on board the suggestions of the United Nations proposed in the 2030 agenda.

 

As bible scholars we understand what that means. We have been prepared for this by the organisation.

 

Is this a conspiracy theory? Or is this exactly what the WEF say?

 

This is a perfect example of why balance is needed. As Christians we have to use discernment as it says in Hebrews 5:14

 

"But solid food belongs to mature people, to those who through use have their powers of discernment trained to distinguish both right and wrong"

 

I see a lot of simplistic thinking in threads on here that discuss conspiracy theories. A lot of "conspiracy theory bad, fact checkers good" statements. 

 

It's not really as clear cut as that and viewing things is such a black and white way can be a danger.

[New World Explorer]

2 hours ago, Frances Bennett said:

It's not really as clear cut as that and viewing things is such a black and white way can be a danger.

What danger will eventuate if we follow what Jehovah asks to do? 
Even if some Conspiracies will prove true, how this will affect our lives if we listen to Jehovah?

We know enough about this system and future events to remain faithful and trusting our Father.

I just read beautiful Psalm 37:23 and feel confident that Jehovah will guide us through the maze of this world into a new one without need to dwell on conspiracies.

 

[Witness1970]

There is a difference in some lies and intentional lies.  Some people may repeat lies/false information believing that it is true.  This is called misinformation.  Others may intentionally lie to achieve a purpose.  This is called disinformation.  

 

I used to say I hate assumptions.  Then I realized that most, if not all, people make assumptions, including myself.  The correct thing to do is to get facts that prove whether or not an assumption is true.  This is crucial because acting on a wrong assumption can cause much distress.

Edited 13 hours ago by Witness1970

[Frances Bennett]

1 hour ago, New World Explorer said:

What danger will eventuate if we follow what Jehovah asks to do? 
Even if some Conspiracies will prove true, how this will affect our lives if we listen to Jehovah?

We know enough about this system and future events to remain faithful and trusting our Father.

I just read beautiful Psalm 37:23 and feel confident that Jehovah will guide us through the maze of this world into a new one without need to dwell on conspiracies.

 

 

I'm a little confused by your reply. Sorry if I have got the wrong end of the stick but what do you mean regarding "following what Jehovah asks us to do"? How has Jehovah asked us to "view things in a black and white way" - which is what I referred to as a danger?

 

[Frances Bennett]

33 minutes ago, Witness1970 said:

There is a difference in some lies and intentional lies.  Some people may repeat lies/false information believing that it is true.  This is called misinformation.  Others may intentionally lie to achieve a purpose.  This is called disinformation.  

 

I used to say I hate assumptions.  Then I realized that most, if not all, people make assumptions, including myself.  The correct thing to do is to get facts that prove whether or not an assumption is true.  This is crucial because acting on a wrong assumption can cause much distress.

 

Don't forget Mal-information, which is spreading things that are true but might damage the person / organisation that you are talking about.

 

This is the tricky one, if the Mal-information is done with the purpose of causing harm to the person / organisation by cherry picking "truths" to create a negative view when the whole truth would show a more positive picture, then that is just plain wrong.

 

What about when an organisation / person holds the power and someone spreads a "truth" about them to whistle blow? This whistle blowing will be called out as 'Mal-information' by the organisation / person in power, of course - but is it? 

 

That is where discernment is needed.

[Geralyn]

4 hours ago, New World Explorer said:

feel confident that Jehovah will guide us through the maze of this world into a new one without need to dwell on conspiracies.

 

These chats remind me of the conversation the resurrected Christ had with Cleopas as they walked along. Cleopas (referring to news) said... Luke 24: 18    

 

 

Cleopas was amazed that someone with access to news seemed so unaware!

Christ did not chastise him for "knowing things" or being interested in the meaning of things, no, he lovingly gave them information which they quickly shared with others...  

 

Once Christ even mentioned a local news event and did not chastise the news discussion but helped with a correct view of their attitudes.  Recalling the tragedy of the tower of Siloam. Jesus used that sad event to teach a profound lesson. 

[New World Explorer]

6 hours ago, Frances Bennett said:

 

I'm a little confused by your reply. Sorry if I have got the wrong end of the stick but what do you mean regarding "following what Jehovah asks us to do"? How has Jehovah asked us to "view things in a black and white way" - which is what I referred to as a danger?

 

It means following his guidance during the last days which comes through his Word the Bible, his organization and being involved in theocratic activities. If we follow this …the conspiracy theories will not have hold on us. And even if some “conspiracy” comes through it will not have significant impact on our lives as we know that Jehovah looks after us and we trust him. 
So, yes .. following what Jehovah asks us to do is the best way of living right now and gives us protection in many ways. 
(one of my family members is obsessed about conspiracy theories .. well, he left the truth behind. Conspiracies eroded his thinking so badly that whatever he looks at he finds conspiracies… the doubt is ruling his mind) 

 

Also I do not look at Conspiracy theory through the lens of prophecy as brothers on the Governing Body often phrase unknown prophecy details as …we don’t know … so there are many aspects that we truly do know know and the danger ⚠️ lies with connecting  conspiracy theory with prophecy of the Bible. It is safer to wait and go along with GB … simply saying we don’t know. 
 

My answer on GREAT RESET …. we don’t know. 

 

[carlos]

3 hours ago, Geralyn said:

Christ did not chastise him for "knowing things" or being interested in the meaning of things, no, he lovingly gave them information which they quickly shared with others...  

 

That's correct. There is nothing wrong in keeping up to date with the news. In fact that's a good thing. It's also true that some conspiracies are real. But that is not the point.

 

The problem the Slave warns about is when we spend too much time watching them and doing research, and then trying to share all those conclusions with everyone we know. Jesus mentioned something all his listeners knew, that a tower had collapsed killing a lot of people, and then made an application of it. He didn't spend any time researching the matter or denouncing the Romans, or anyone else, as being behind the so-called accident. All the media, even so-called independent sources, have an agenda and are trying to influence us. When we spend too much time watching or researching political matters, we unavoidably develop political opinions. We don't notice it, but those around us do. If everybody around is saying we sound like someone from X party, then that means we are watching too much political materials.

 

Ultimately, whether the news are true or false, most of the time there is nothing we can do about it, other than feel bad and become bitter. All that time could be better used to study the Bible, watching some refreshing or encouraging materials, get some rest, spend time with our family or tell others about the only real solution to all political corruption.

[Geralyn]

7 hours ago, Frances Bennett said:

The correct thing to do is to get facts that prove whether or not an assumption is true.  This is crucial because acting on a wrong assumption can cause much distress.

 

1 hour ago, carlos said:

He didn't spend any time researching the matter

 

I often wonder what Jesus and the disciples talked about as they covered their territory, I imagine they discussed the news affecting folks maybe someone was assigned to do research?  I know the Slave takes pride in the research team and plenty of time is spent getting it right...  I've watched the Society Videos!

 

Jesus once asked his disciples: “Who are men saying the Son of man is?” Their reply: “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “You, though, who do you say I am?” Jesus continued.   Jesus sure stirred up a good discussion and each of them revealed that he was paying attention to his neighbors!   Matt 6:13-15

 

I accidentally did a deep dive on 9 11 without even knowing it!  We were in 'lock down' as the 9 11  20 year anniversary came around and honestly the whole subject disturbed me enough that I had avoided the topic almost that long!!   A video popped up on my feed (Flight Attendant sheds new light on 9/11) and, well, after daily service and endless study I thought "why not see something fresh on the anniversary?" maybe COVID crazy time had put it in perspective?   It was fascinating and unexpected and changed my outlook on a few things in a good way...   I could have taken that info and run into a deep political rabbit hole but THAT video was enough, it made more obvious the truth in the Bible "the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one".  It set me free from a lot of fear programming I didn't realize I had adsorbed through the news, all without doing any other research!   COVID makes more sense too...   I can talk with my Conspiracy centric relatives a lot easier and I apologized for rolling my eyes at them all these years!  My arrogance taken down a peg.   I no longer get a stomach ache seeing large jets, I am more relaxed around people of eastern descent and trust very little .gov info and zero news reports have power over my emotions.   You can't unsee things like the truth unless it is willful.   I would rather KNOW than NOT know.   Like the tower of Siloam, I can now talk with people about this, it makes sense, I can draw conclussions and I can guide the conversation back to Bible truth in a competent manner.  WIN WIN! 

 

I now choose to let all conspiracy people be "probably right" (within reason) and it opens conversations!  The only hard part now is watching JWs discuss discussing it!  ikr

[StarHope]

6 hours ago, New World Explorer said:

It means following his guidance during the last days which comes through his Word the Bible, his organization and being involved in theocratic activities. If we follow this …the conspiracy theories will not have hold on us. And even if some “conspiracy” comes through it will not have significant impact on our lives as we know that Jehovah looks after us and we trust him.

 
Nicely worded. Ultimately, we must have trust in Jehovah. Satan will try anything to sever that trust.