Essay:The Problems with Conservapedia
I came to this website in 2020 when looking for other wikis other than Wikipedia to submit my writing to. Before I started reading into the articles of this website, I did not know the conspiratorial nature of this website. I originally created an account on this site using my real name, as I typically do on the Internet, as I usually like to present myself as a very approachable and friendly person, but upon further reading through the articles laden with misinformation on this site, it was clear that I did not want to associate my name with this website. I personally am a Christian, but I am neither American nor conservative. I am Canadian, and I would classify my political views as centre-left. However, I am not here to oppose the political viewpoints presented on the website. I am concerned about the scientific and medical misinformation and hate that this website spreads.
First of all, on Conservapedia, many basic scientific facts are downplayed and associated with atheists. For example, most Christians agree on the scientifically determined age of the earth, but this website insists on a young-earth view. All modern scientific evidence points towards an old earth. I do not need to cite sources, as there are a plethora of sources available -- just open a site like Google Scholar and search, and you will get a wide range of scholarly sources. Additionally, evolution is also downplayed and associated with atheists. In fact, it is almost universally accepted by scientists as fact, and I personally think, along with many other Christians (even the Catholic church), that God created the world using evolution. I think that evolution is probably one of the most artistic and sophisticated natural processes that God designed before the universe was formed. Wikipedia even has an article on theistic evolution, and it is written very fairly. Although the people at "CP's competitor that starts with 'R'" technically also present the scientific truth, they do so in a very rude and blatant manner while downplaying God, and I'm not a huge fan of them either.
Additionally, with what's happening in the world right now with the COVID-19 pandemic, this website spreads a lot of misinformation about the treatment and prevention of the virus too. For example, vaccines that have gone through rigorous testing are downplayed, and "alternative" but dangerous "cures" such as ivermectin are promoted. If someone who did not know the conspiratorial nature of this website were to stumble upon the misinformation presented on this website, they may try it and end up harming themselves. I think the above two problems are not just problems with Conservapedia, but with these kinds of American conservatives in general. In Canada, most Canadian conservatives don't deny science, and emphasize the importance of wearing masks and getting vaccinated to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
This leads to another problem with Conservapedia articles in general. On Conservapedia, many problems with society are associated with three kinds of people: atheists, liberals and homosexuals. I think that this style of writing spreads a lot of hate to these people. Atheists, liberals and homosexuals are people too, and although we may not agree with them, many of them are inherently good people. My history teacher at my Christian high school used to say, "I've met a lot of very moral atheists, and I've met a lot of immoral Christians." One can't judge a book by its cover.
In conclusion, I am fine with a website that is meant to promote a political ideology. I think it is very important to have people of various political views on the Internet. I even think that political misinformation is fine to a certain degree -- all politicians need to spin their language to make it more appealing to voters, even if it means bending the truth a bit. However, the scientific and medical misinformation presented on Conservapedia not only reduces the credibility of the political views presented on this website, it may cause injury or death to the people who do not know about the conspiratorial nature of this website and take it as actual advice. Additionally, for a website that is supposed to be written from a Christian point of view, it spreads a lot of hate to various people. I hope that this website can resolve these problems as soon as possible for their own good, and I say this, even though I don't personally support conservatism, because I am just trying to give some genuine advice to help the people on this website better express their views and have people take them seriously.
ChenXiansheng (talk) 15:22, October 16, 2021 (EDT)