Our cultural landscape has changed with the advent and wide dissemination (thanks to social media) of Q-Anon. Traditional religious affiliation had been falling in the U.S. even before the pandemic, yet a 2021 poll revealed that if Q-Anon were a religion, "it would be as big as all white evangelical Protestants... up there with a major religious group.” Is Q-Anon--which started in America but has gained traction all around the world-- indeed the newest religion? Or is it an extremist ideology? A conspiracy theory? A cult? A cabal? Or simply an elaborate alternate reality game? Our "Cults and the Q-Anon Phenomenon" SDG will give participants a chance to tackle these questions.
Cults and conspiracy theories (such as the blood libel) have been around since the beginning of recorded history. Have you ever wondered what has made human beings -- across cultures and across time -- susceptible to beliefs that demonize and even aim to destroy targeted "others?" This SDG is concerned with this question as it relates to cults and conspiracy theories in general, and Q-Anon specifically.
We shall examine and discuss how phenomena like Q-Anon arise in the first place and what purposes they serve. Our examination will begin with a look at Social Identity Theory. We will then try to ascertain how groups like Q-Anon gather adherents (radicalization, unfreezing) and how these groups impact society at large (as well as their own members). Certain demographics-- namely women and "the wellness/yoga community"— (to the surprise of many), have been particularly vulnerable to the Q-Anon phenomenon. Why? We will try to answer this question.
As with all cults/ideologies, some adherents may become disaffected. We will research the causes of disillusionment and address how/whether the disaffected can successfully leave this group – or any cult, how others may find it difficult to leave, and finally, what may potentially await former members once they separate from the group.
We hope you will join in exploring "Cults and the Q-Anon Phenomenon."
