A different way to approach the QAnon disease

Ironically, the approach involves the very thing that seems to make many deceived QAnoners so self-assured about their political beliefs – religion. Americans have been indoctrinated for decades to believe that right-wing politics and Christianity are the same thing, so it isn’t surprising that evangelical themes have been woven into the Q propaganda. 

Hatred, anger, condemnation, and acceptance of lying are major behaviors that QAnon has implanted in its followers. These sinful attitudes are disqualifying for salvation, according to the BIBLE. In Gal 5:20-21, Paul says “… hatreds, quarreling, jealousies (malice and indignation), rages, contentions, discords (division/sedition)…”; those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

It is apparent that Q people and many others have forgotten (or never knew) that the real message of the New Testament is love and mercy. A few very basic, easily remembered BIBLE concepts can be used to refute most of the negative tropes advanced by QAnon and the right-wing media echo chamber:

1.     Love your neighbor as yourself. Gal 5:14

2.     Don’t condemn others Mat 7:1-3

3.     Don’t lie (especially in a way that injures others). Exo 20:16

When your QAnoner spews hatred for Democrats, other races, immigrants, non-Q believers, etc., remind them:

Didn’t JESUS say: … to Love GOD and love your neighbor as yourself...? (FYI: JESUS also said this is the most important commandment in the whole BIBLE. Mar 12:29-31)

Or:

I thought JESUS said to: Love your enemies and pray for them. Mat 5:44

When the Q person condemns others, eg “evil democrats”, liberal “communists”, Black/ Mexican/Antifa “criminals”, etc.

Remind them that the BIBLE says we aren’t to judge those outside the church and shouldn’t condemn others at all. (judgement is different from condemnation – condemn means “worthy of damnation”)

When your QAnoner makes their typically wild unproven charges (lies) against the people they hate:

Kindly ask them if saying such things is consistent with the BIBLE; especially if they don’t really know whether they are 100% true or just rumors? 

After all, this is the age of deception (according to end-time BIBLE beliefs). If they believe everything on the mainstream media is false, why do they believe anonymous people on the internet who are telling others what they want to believe, and in some cases, who just want attention? Remind them that the BIBLE calls for evidence from two or three eye witnesses to bring a serious charge against anyone; otherwise, it is a sin according to the 9^th Commandment: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Exo 20:16 Deut 19:15 Mat 18:16 Ask them, in sincerity, if it might affect their salvation to make and believe charges against others that might not be true. Obviously, no one takes kindly to being called a liar – but FYI, the BIBLE plainly says that Liars cannot be saved. Revelation 21:8, Rev 21:27 You might remind them that lying and bearing false witness, even unintentionally, is dangerous for their souls.

Make your objections with meekness. Don’t argue; many deprogrammers warn that arguing with people who have embraced cult beliefs will just make them dig in their heels. Don’t try to get involved in a theological discussion – merely ask them in a sincere manner if their Q belief/slogan/talking point is consistent with the BIBLE message of love.

Outro:

I am not naïve enough to think that this will be an immediate solution for most people. After all, these Q folks didn’t come by their deeply ingrained false belief system overnight – it is the result of decades of propaganda that has made them accept the idea that republican politics is synonymous with Christianity. True Christianity works on the conscience (the heart). People often have to stew over the truth that is offered to them – and then, sometime later, they may come around.