A growing trend in the United States reveals a surprising alignment between seemingly opposing political extremes. A new book, Conspirituality, argues that conspiracy theories and associated lifestyle choices are increasingly shared across the ideological spectrum, blurring the lines between the far left and the far right.

The Roots of Distrust

The authors, individuals with backgrounds in fitness, mindfulness, and yoga, observed a concerning ideological shift within these communities. Their investigation uncovered a common thread: a deep-seated distrust of established institutions and a belief that elites are manipulating the public.

From Alternative Health to Conspiracy Theories

The book highlights how this distrust manifests in various ways. On the alternative left, this often translates into a belief that multinational food and pharmaceutical companies are deliberately keeping people sick for profit, advocating for healing through practices like yoga, meditation, vegetarian diets, and organic foods. Conversely, the radical right often believes the deep state, universities, and the media are dominated by elites seeking to undermine Western values.

Despite these differing starting points, both groups are increasingly drawn to conspiracy theories and alternative health practices. The authors point to the case of QAnon as an extreme example, describing it as an American digital sect that falsely claimed numerous Democratic politicians and certain political elites Hollywood were involved in a pedophile satanic clique that drank the blood of babies.

The Pandemic’s Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this convergence. The authors note that rejection of vaccines became a common ground, with both sides arguing they are corporate inventions designed for control. A growing number of conservatives began to embrace ideas traditionally associated with the left, such as the belief that Science is a trap linked to great interests and the benefits of macrobiotic diets and growing one’s own food.

The book also cites the example of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the current US Minister of Health, who has promoted the conspiracy theory that the COVID virus was designed not to infect Ashkenazi Jews.

A Digital Religion

The authors argue that this phenomenon, dubbed conspirituality, functions like a digital religion in the age of social media. It works like a digital religion that weaves mysteries into the context of a captivating narrative and assign a role to whoever decides to join, offering a sense of belonging and purpose to those who feel alienated from mainstream society.

The book acknowledges that the examples presented are often eccentricities so radical that they may seem unbelievable, but emphasizes that they are perfectly documented. It concludes that those promoting these ideas are adept at exploiting the failures of the current political and economic system for personal gain, achieving enormous talent to become famous and rich.

FAQ

• What is “conspirituality”? It’s the intersection of conspiracy theories and spiritual practices, creating a belief system that distrusts established institutions.
• What is driving this convergence? A growing distrust of elites and a desire for individual empowerment are key factors.
• Is this phenomenon limited to the United States? The book focuses on the US, but the authors suggest similar trends may be emerging elsewhere.