The author of Catch-22, Joseph Heller, once said: “Just because you are paranoid, doesn’t mean they aren’t after you.”
To some, this phrase might not be that humorous and actually holds some truth.
Conspiracy theories, while seen as unusual to some, are beliefs that many take very seriously.
Ranging from plausible to downright outrageous, a good conspiracy theory always makes for an interesting conversation.
Here are three of the most common conspiracy theories:
The Reptilian Elite
According to former BBC sports reporter, David Icke, who was the poster boy for the theory in 1998 after publishing his first book The Biggest Secret, it would seem that there is a race of beings living among us .
Blood-drinking, flesh-eating, shape-shifting, extraterrestrial reptile humanoids who are determined to enslave the human race.
Theory has it, that these beings are in high positions where they can easily influence others, such as leaders, corporate executives, actors and singers.
Going a step further, it is also believed that the reptilian elite are also responsible for the Holocaust, the Oklahoma City bombings and the 9/11 attacks.
The reptiles have apparently controlled humankind since ancient times; they count among their number Queen Elizabeth, George W. Bush, Henry Kissinger, Bill and Hillary Clinton and Bob Hope.
Secret Societies control the world
This is one of the most common conspiracy theories around.
The Illuminati and the Freemasons are commonly branded the secret rulers of the world.
The Illuminati is a sect said to have originated in 18th century Germany and allegedly responsible for the pyramid-and-eye symbol adorning the $1 bill.
It is believed they intend to stir up world wars to strengthen the argument for the creation of a worldwide government (which would, of course, be Satanic in nature).
The Freemasons, who claim their group is the “oldest and largest worldwide fraternity” and boasts former members such as George Washington, Sir Winston Churchill and Walt Disney, is often targeted due to their silence regarding their activities and teachings.
Some think that despite donating time and money to charity, they’re secretly plotting the world’s undoing at Masonic temples across the world.
It is believed that members from both groups are pulling strings within powerful organisations and businesses to steer the world as they please.
Area 51
While the actual base has been a closely guarded secret for many years, it might just be a typical American military base.
According to conspiracy theorists, what what people can see of Area 51 is merely the tip of the paranoid iceberg.
Apparently, the base features elaborate underground labs, hidden tunnels, a dedicated extra-terrestrial runway that can disappear and reappear, and research programs dedicated to reverse-engineering alien technology.
