Join Rebecca, John and renowned author Michael Shermer as he takes you on a thought-provoking journey in his book "Conspiracy: Why People Believe the Irrational." Delving into his personal experiences, Shermer unveils the intricate web of factors that contribute to our susceptibility to conspiracy theories. From the psychology behind belief systems to the importance of critical thinking skills, this captivating exploration provides a valuable framework for understanding the pervasive nature of conspiratorial thinking. Whether you're intrigued by the origins of conspiracy theories, seeking strategies to engage in meaningful conversations with believers, or looking to evaluate conspiracy theories critically, "Conspiracy" offers an enlightening and compelling perspective on our inclination towards irrational beliefs. Join the Mormon Stories Book Club Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mormonstoriesbookclub Buy the book: Conspiracy: Why the Rational Believe the Irrational (https://amz.run/6S1l) Episode Show Notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/conspiracy-michael-shermer-book-club/ 00:11:15 Shermer’s intro to religion & conversion to Evangelism 00:15:00 Subsequent de-conversion 00:18:25 Did he encounter Mormons? 00:31:00 The shift towards atheism 00:47:00 What is a “conspiracy” Does religion count? 01:07:00 How to learn critical thinking skills 01:10:00 Extraordinary claims requires extraordinary evidence 01:18:30 Religions vs Science in admitting wrong 01:24:17 Conversations with believing family members. 01:29:11 Common conspiracies among the religious 01:38:14 Ten points for Evaluating a conspiracy theory 01:51:50 Transgender topic 01:58:35 Are Mormons more susceptible to conspiracy theories? 02:01:00 When are worldviews are rooted in reality, it is much healthier 02:03:15 Shared myths make economies more efficient 02:04:30 Summer reading list: Unexpected by Chris Thomas; Charisma Under Pressure by Dan Vogel; Vengeance is Mine Mormon Stories Book Club Playlist https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxq5opj6GqOC3Ps0ta7hBIIxlr9vOlHDH ___________________ At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals. Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology 2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis 3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions 🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today One-time or recurring donations: https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories Our Platforms: 🌐Mormon Stories Blog: https://www.mormonstories.org/episodes 🎙️Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories ✳️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404&nd=1 🍎Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772 🖼️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormstories 📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast 🎮Discord: https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF Contact us: 📧 MormonStories@gmail.com 📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 #MormonStories #Mormon #lds