The strongest predictor of whether someone believed in COVID-19-related misinformation and risks related to the vaccine was whether they viewed COVID-19 prevention efforts in terms of symbolic strength and weakness. In other words, this group focused on whether an action would make them appear to fend off or “give in” to untoward influence.

[…]

Our findings highlight the limits of countering misinformation directly, because for some people, literal truth is not the point.

    • Cosmoooooooo@lemmy.world
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      4 days ago

      That’s not how it works. Rapture is part of their death cult, where they have to scare all their members every few months or lose them.

      “Do what I say or you’re going to hell”. It’s abusive. Very abusive.

      They can go to the afterlife anytime they want. The ones who actually believe that crap do kill themselves for that purpose. The ones still here are just cowards and liars.

    • okwhateverdude@lemmy.world
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      4 days ago

      I’d settle for more Heaven’s Gate / Jonestown / Waco (this one a bit less, but the result was mostly the same)