Conspiracy Theories

By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Feb 09, 2026

Among the most entertaining modern phenomena is the proliferation of “conspiracy theories.” The phrase was popularized after the assassination of JFK and has occupied every corner of the culture since then. Conspiracy theories even extend to the institutional Church and every religion, so it is a worthy exercise to examine the interplay between facts and narratives as we consider the inner workings of any conspiracy theory.

History is composed of facts assembled into coherent narratives. Sometimes we get the facts wrong; at other times, we assemble the facts into an inaccurate narrative. An objective analyst—a journalist, for example—must examine the facts with an open mind. Then, the analyst must consider the logic of the narrative derived from those facts. The academic philosophical disciplines of epistemology and logic seem essential to the trade.

Police work compiles evidence and assembles data into a narrative that may convict or exonerate a suspect. Sometimes relevant evidence is overlooked. Other times, evidence is suppressed. A generally accepted narrative may be dismissed with the introduction of new evidence.

Relevant facts, the rules of evidence, proper context, and the rules of logic are the foundational elements of a reliable narrative. False narratives are based on faulty facts, missing information, and poor logic. In times of war, combatants sometimes act on incomplete narratives—hence the saying, “the fog of war.”

The deliberate refusal to acknowledge obvious facts leads to conspiracies of irredeemable error. A Supreme Court Justice, for example, has stated she cannot define “woman” because she isn’t a biologist. A judicial authority that refuses to explain even basic human terms cripples the meaning of every legal narrative.

Lies distort facts. Ironically, conspiracy theories thrive when “fact checkers” dismiss reported facts with unsubstantiated assertions such as “widely debunked.” In today’s world of instant communication, we readily become judge, jury, and executioner before all the facts are properly deliberated.

To be sure, not every conspiracy theory is false. Sometimes a conspiracy theory is more accurate than a generally accepted narrative. Conspiracy theories may highlight evidence dismissed by mainstream narratives. Hence, the familiar conspiracy joke that the difference between a conspiracy theory and the truth is about six months.

The Catholic faith is similarly an interplay of facts and narratives. The narrative of our salvation has eternal consequences. The facts of God’s revelation inform objective historical and personal narratives. The Church assembles the facts of God’s revelation and formulates doctrine, with the Apostles’ Creed as its foundation. Church teaching carefully advances the logic of the Apostles’ Creed through the Nicene Creed.

Human logic, guided by the Holy Spirit, also deepens the Church’s understanding of the Ten Commandments—the vehicle by which we honor the words of Jesus: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) The development of doctrine is nothing other than the formulation of reasonable conclusions rooted in the foundational facts of Revelation. Theologians and scholars revisit and deepen their understanding of facts (e.g., biblical words and concepts), and enrich the narrative. From this, the Church’s narrative of faith and morals is formulated and taught. Proper philosophical studies represent no threat to theological narratives.

Atheists dismiss the existence of God because they see no evidence. But a believer might point to a hippopotamus or a giraffe and say, “Only a creator—with a great sense of humor—could have made this!" Grace and wonder cement facts to a narrative of faith. The Devil is said to know every scientific detail of creation. But, devoid of grace, he cannot delight in the beauty and delicacy of a child’s face.

The interplay of facts and narratives also applies to our personal lives. Jesus teaches, “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men.” (Matthew 5:13) Salt is a stubborn, even provocative preservative. We may look back on our lives, examine the facts courageously, and measure them against the Church’s challenging narrative. A mature person will also recognize specific interventions of God’s grace in his life. God’s grace impels us to take a difficult path that leads to virtuous happiness, and warns that an easy path leads to the slavery of vice.

Nevertheless, even here we must avoid those pesky structural conspiracy theories that deny or distort the facts of our existence and the authentic narrative of our lives. It may be helpful to think of the great systemic heresies of Christendom as dangerous conspiracy theories—denying or distorting the facts and failing to logically connect the dots of the facts into a coherent narrative.

For example, many people believe that a so-called “born-again” experience guarantees salvation. That is a serious structural doctrinal mistake. As General George Patton famously said before the Battle of the Bulge, despite our victories, it is still possible to lose the war. In the spiritual life, one unrepented mortal sin at the time of death is enough to lose the Eternal Prize.

Upon the evidence of the effects of Original Sin, many pious Protestants profess the narrative of a completely corrupted human nature. Hence, human virtue is impossible. However, the fact that there are virtuous Protestants puts a lie to the narrative.

Those within the Church who knowingly or unknowingly distort the facts of the faith will be with us always. However, by invoking Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture, we can dispel the fog of confusion and reclaim the authentic Magisterium. The Church gives us confidence to hold fast to the narrative of faith she hands down.

With God’s grace, we strive for a life of virtue and recover from our sins in the sacraments. With confidence and true humility, we aim to live by the words of Jesus: “You are the light of the world… Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father, who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14–16)