Andy Thomas - The New Heretics: Understanding the Conspiracy Theories Polarizing the World

Andy Thomas is one of the UKs leading researchers into unexplained mysteries and conspiracies. His many other books include Conspiracies: The Facts The Theories The Evidence and The Truth Agenda , which explores paranormal phenomena and global cover-ups. Vital Signs , widely described as the definitive guide to the controversial crop circle phenomenon, was nominated for Kindred Spirit magazines Best Book Award. Andy is also author of a number of books on folklore and history, including Christmas: A Short History from Solstice to Santa , and is a regular writer for the popular Nexus Magazine.

Andy is founder of Changing Times, which holds events on free thinking and the unexplained, and is co-organiser and MC for the renowned annual UK truth, mysteries and new frontiers conference, the Glastonbury Symposium, which has been running for over three decades. Andy lectures extensively around the world and has made numerous TV appearances. Global spots have included NBC, the History Channel, National Geographic and Vice Media, while in the UK he has featured on programmes including BBC1s The One Show , ITVs GMTV and Channel 4s Richard and Judy among many others. Andy has been on countless radio programmes, mainstream and alternative, and is a frequent guest on internet podcasts.

More information on Andy, with news, articles to read, videos to watch and social media links, can be found at: www.truthagenda.org

By the same author:

Conspiracies: The Facts The Theories The Evidence

Christmas: A Short History from Solstice to Santa

The Truth Agenda: Making Sense of Unexplained Mysteries, Global Cover-ups and Prophecies for Our Times

An Introduction to Crop Circles

A Oneness of Mind: The Power of Collective Thought and Signs of Our Times

Swirled Harvest: Views from the Crop Circle Frontline

Vital Signs: A Complete Guide to the Crop Circle Mystery and Why It is Not a Hoax

Quest For Contact: A True Story of Crop Circles, Psychics and UFOs

Fields of Mystery: The Crop Circle Phenomenon in Sussex

For seekers of all kinds and avoiders of polarity traps

This edition first published in the UK and USA in 2021 by
Watkins, an imprint of Watkins Media Limited

Unit 11, Shepperton House

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Design and typography copyright Watkins Media Limited 2021

Text copyright Andy Thomas 2021

Andy Thomas has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without prior permission in writing from the Publishers.

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ISBN: 978-1-78678-576-3

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CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

As the COVID restrictions took hold in spring 2020 and the world closed in, a small email group through which three of us had long exchanged views and links on alternative topics opened up to include more friends as we tried to make sense of what was going on. This was a panacea during days of uncertainty and became a fascinating microcosm of the enquiries and dilemmas millions were grappling with, but which were not being aired in the mainstream. Used to not taking the word of authority at face value, some of us accepted much of the official story but were concerned about its misuse to threaten long-term freedom. Some were suspicious about more of its aspects. Others saw the pandemic as a giant fraud from the start, designed to close down human liberty once and for all. The endless exchanges could sometimes be combative and impassioned, sometimes straight or humorous, but they were the valuable crucible in which this book was born.

As The New Heretics would never have existed without the insights I received from the above communications, I have to thank firstly (in alphabetical order) Martin Noakes and Barry Reynolds, the original team, and also Piers Adams, Dick Alder, Marcus Allen and John Bowen. In addition, I also received helpful input from Mary Bennett and Terry Boardman.

I would especially like to thank Piers Adams (again) and Barry Reynolds (again) for invaluable and time-consuming proofing and fact-checking. For taking the time to specifically chat through some ideas and share useful information, I also thank David de Vall and, especially, my beloved wife Helen Sewell, who listened to me talking through the daily controversies throughout lockdown and the books writing, and whose insights and feedback were inspirational.

I also give gratitude to Boag Alexander, Tara Harley, Jez Hughes, Will James, Denise Miller, Amy Sewell, Ella Sewell, David Swingland and Jordan Thomas for useful feedback, help and/or simple but much appreciated encouragement, and especially to Fiona Robertson and everyone at Watkins for giving me the rare and valuable opportunity to air such crucial debates in public.

I pay a special tribute to Ian R Crane, truther extraordinaire, founder of the Alternative View events and a friend and colleague in times past. He selflessly fought for what he believed in and set an example to many. Ian died during the last few months of writing, aged just 64, and I dedicate this book to him.

Lastly, I also wish to record the names of some other recently lost fighters and friends whose passion and visions notably changed the world for the better: Ali (Leah) Bracknell, alex:g aka Alex Geairns, Michael Glickman and Michael Green. Huge respect to all.

INTRODUCTION

We live in divided times. From the start, the pandemic that introduced COVID-19 into our lives from 2020 split opinions as to its origins, the response to it and the fundamental freedoms sacrificed in the name of preventing its worst excesses. Some have even questioned the very existence of a virus. Historically, such strong feelings are cauldrons for civil unrest and, sure enough, huge anti-lockdown protests and individual acts of defiance would became areas of deep contention. Few expected, however, that the resultant unrest would, through some strange alchemy, culminate in the extraordinary attempts of Donald Trump to retain his presidency of the USA, leading in January 2021 to a storming of the US Capitol. It rocked Western democracys self-confidence. Who and what was to blame?

Seeking easy answers, the media decided much of the responsibility could be laid at the door of a creeping phenomenon that had gained traction in recent years conspiracy theory, the belief that world events are manipulated by a not-so-hidden ruling elite with the darkest of agendas, forever represented by the symbol of a glowering, ever-vigilant eye. While some classic areas of alternative speculation were previously seen as eccentric or even entertaining, the growth of enquiry around fundamental state narratives that affect health and social stability changed this perception. Questioning some things can lead inexorably to a reflexive habit of questioning every thing to the point where interpretation of evidence becomes anxious and confused; the conspiracy claims of more recent times have without doubt become highly provocative. The mainstream portrayal of their adherents, however, has too often been as inaccurate as it is devious, and done a disservice to society by failing to grasp or acknowledge the true basis, complexity and emotional layers of why people question authority. The stand-off between the two sides has become a polarity trap which serves no one. This book is an attempt to address the missing links that the establishment has overlooked, not to defend so much as to foster understanding of why questioners feel the way they do.