E=mc2: A liberal plot?

A far-Right encyclopedia suggests that Einstein's famous theory of relativity is a conspiracy engineered by liberals. Really?

Conservapedia says the Einstein's theory encourages relativism and leads people away from the Bible.
(Image credit: Corbis)

Political extremists of both stripes can be susceptible to fantastical conspiracy theories. Some on the far Right claim President Obama used "covert hypnosis" to rally his campaign crowds, while their counterparts on the far Left are convinced 9/11 was planned by George W. Bush. To those, you can add another evil plot: Einstein's theory of relativity. According to Conservapedia, an online wiki aimed at conservative thinkers, the basis of modern physics is a liberal conspiracy. The theory is "heavily promoted by liberals who like its encouragement of relativism and its tendency to mislead people in how they view the world," write the site's authors. "Virtually no one who is taught and believes relativity continues to read the Bible," adds Conservapedia editor Andy Schlafly. What do pundits make of this claim? (Watch a report about Einstein's theory)

"Who knew? Does this mean gravity is a conspiracy to keep us down?"

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us