Dear friends: what a week. Can I tie these horrific events into C19 & MT? A friend has passed on his terrifying essay on a conspiracy theory way back in 1860, see below. I think we need reminding that conspiracy theories have a very long history in our nation, and that they can be deadly and incendiary. Q; has anyone looked into MT's encounter with and understanding/ critique of conspiracy theory--pro and con? https://baptistnews.com/article/how-300-children-lost-their-fathers-to-lynching-on-a-single-day-because-of-a-conspiracy-theory/?fbclid=IwAR2RtPG7DEJx-D7WiusYA9h8YLeIY-iLksb99CWAQqNIOT7JfcGVtuRJBJY#.X_hexOBMFTZ [https://1648o73kablq2rveyn64glm1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Great_Hanging_at_Gainesville_Texas_-_1862.jpg]<https://baptistnews.com/article/how-300-children-lost-their-fathers-to-lynching-on-a-single-day-because-of-a-conspiracy-theory/?fbclid=IwAR2RtPG7DEJx-D7WiusYA9h8YLeIY-iLksb99CWAQqNIOT7JfcGVtuRJBJY#.X_hexOBMFTZ> How 300 children lost their fathers to lynching on a single day because of a conspiracy theory – Baptist News Global<https://baptistnews.com/article/how-300-children-lost-their-fathers-to-lynching-on-a-single-day-because-of-a-conspiracy-theory/?fbclid=IwAR2RtPG7DEJx-D7WiusYA9h8YLeIY-iLksb99CWAQqNIOT7JfcGVtuRJBJY#.X_hexOBMFTZ> There is nothing new about conspiracy theories. Recently, while doing some research on the history of lynching, I learned that Anthony Bewley, a Methodist minister, was lynched in Fort Worth, Texas, back in 1860. Bewley was the victim of a bizarre conspiracy theory. baptistnews.com _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Dr. Hal Bush Professor of English & Director of the Undergraduate Program Saint Louis University [log in to unmask] 314-977-3616 http://halbush.com author blog: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/spiritualcoffee<https://www.patheos.com/blogs/spiritualcoffee/2020/08/spiritual-coffee-and-the-path-toward-wokeness/>