I feel like I owe you guys my life

[FactCheck]

I just received this e-mail but I thought it was just as much for the members of this forum as it is for me. Good job to everyone at JREF!

______________________________

Hi...just wanted to say thanks for all your work, and also thank you to everyone else who has done similar work in blogs, websites and debunking documentaries. I was sucked in by this 911 conspiracy crap for over two years of my life. It nearly destroyed my sanity. I watched loose change and it really disturbed me. After that I watched everything I could on the subject, except what contradicted it. I didn't know there was so much stuff out there that does. It was at a very vulnerable time in my life when first saw loose change, and I think that's what gave it the impact it did in my mind. Anyway, I am so relieved to be free of this madness at last. I owe it to Screw 911 Mysteries for this. 911 ' truth ' really is like a cult. It was hard to break out of it. But now I'm free. I'm no scientist or expert. Just a person who was exposed to this stuff who trusted these people. I guess I found out how gullible I am. It is a lesson I will never forget. This really did a number on my whole life. I wonder if I am in the minority? I mean after being a believer of this for two years, and now understanding how its next to impossible to get conspiracy theorists to listen to reason. But it was the excellent debunking that broke through all the crap I filled my head with for two years. I feel like I owe you guys my life. Keep up the GREAT work.

Sincerely,

[name edited out]
________________

Your efforts are not in vain.

[Brainster]

Made my day! It's nice to hear of people becoming deprogrammed as a result of debunking efforts, but as I always say, those are few and far between. The people we probably have the most success with are the ones who would never bother writing; the ones who saw Loose Change or 9-11 Mysteries, found a good debunking and laughed it off.

[Walter Ego]

Originally Posted by FactCheck

I was sucked in by this 911 conspiracy crap for over two years of my life. It nearly destroyed my sanity. I watched loose change and it really disturbed me. After that I watched everything I could on the subject, except what contradicted it.

Now that sounds familiar. One of the truthers (who was actually a rather nice fellow) I met last February in Savannah and I were discussing internet sites and he made it very clear he was not interested in looking at anything that might be 'skeptical' about 9/11 truth.

[X]

vain.

Good news, though.

[Pardalis]

Did he/she say what specifically was the determining factors of his/her getting into and out of twooferism?

[FactCheck]

I respectfully disagree. For every one that e-mails me I bet there are 10 others too embarrassed to or lazy to write. Maybe more... I believe many people here are the reason the movement is losing steam. We give ammo to others in other forums who have been attacked by the truthers. Just google debunking911 or 911myths and you'll see what I mean. The thread usually dies after someone brings up our sites. We are being quoted in other countries. A Japanese debunker even quoted us in a book. There are people all over the world who are benefiting from our work.

Even if we save one person its worth it anyway. I'm sure you agree.

[FactCheck]

Originally Posted by Pardalis

Did he/she say what specifically was the determining factors of his/her getting into and out of twooferism?

I sent him an e-mail and asked.

[cyclonic]

Screw 9/11 mysteries and screw loose change is debunking at its best, i still get truthers even this week telling me to watch loose change and 9/11 mysteries as "proof" of an inside job,when told to watch SLC and S911M 70% don't comeback and the other 30% just ignore the videos and spout other woo.

Thank you THE DOC and MarkyX for making those brilliant videos!

[beachnut]

Originally Posted by FactCheck

... at a very vulnerable time in my life ...

I wonder if I am in the minority? I mean after being a believer of this for two years,

He was a truther for two years. A good lesson of awaking after being fooled, and if he can extend this lesson broadly to his life, he may avoid falling for other schemes and scams.

Coming out of 9/11 truth is a good thing. A step out of the darkness of lies, into the light of knowledge.

[Minadin]

There's an architect who sits next to me at the office who seriously believes in bigfoot but was laughing his butt off when I was telling him about AE911 Truth.

[Thunder]

Originally Posted by FactCheck

I just received this e-mail but I thought it was just as much for the members of this forum as it is for me. Good job to everyone at JREF!

______________________________

Hi...just wanted to say thanks for all your work, and also thank you to everyone else who has done similar work in blogs, websites and debunking documentaries. I was sucked in by this 911 conspiracy crap for over two years of my life. It nearly destroyed my sanity. I watched loose change and it really disturbed me. After that I watched everything I could on the subject, except what contradicted it. I didn't know there was so much stuff out there that does. It was at a very vulnerable time in my life when first saw loose change, and I think that's what gave it the impact it did in my mind. Anyway, I am so relieved to be free of this madness at last. I owe it to Screw 911 Mysteries for this. 911 ' truth ' really is like a cult. It was hard to break out of it. But now I'm free. I'm no scientist or expert. Just a person who was exposed to this stuff who trusted these people. I guess I found out how gullible I am. It is a lesson I will never forget. This really did a number on my whole life. I wonder if I am in the minority? I mean after being a believer of this for two years, and now understanding how its next to impossible to get conspiracy theorists to listen to reason. But it was the excellent debunking that broke through all the crap I filled my head with for two years. I feel like I owe you guys my life. Keep up the GREAT work.

Sincerely,

[name edited out]
________________

Your efforts are not in vain.

JREF aren't the ones who saved me from the insanity of 9-11 Truth...but they sure have helped kept me from even considering going to back to such a stupid and paranoid state of
mind.

We can all admit, that fighting against "the man" is cool. Standing up to an evil conspiracy of secret governmant agents, dasterdly no-good dooers, and insane power maniacs, really does give life a sense of purpose, especially if it seems dull and fruitless.

But this is not a game. Its real life. Its all about facts and science....not believing what is neccessary to stand up to "the man".

God bless you, JREF.

[Walter Ego]

Originally Posted by cyclonic

Screw 9/11 mysteries and screw loose change is debunking at its best, i still get truthers even this week telling me to watch loose change and 9/11 mysteries as "proof" of an inside job,when told to watch SLC and S911M 70% don't comeback and the other 30% just ignore the videos and spout other woo.

Thank you THE DOC and MarkyX for making those brilliant videos!

Your post made me realize I haven't included links to those videos on my 9/11 video blog. I've rectified this oversight by putting links on the recommended videos sidebar.

[gumboot]

Great news. Mark one up for the good guys. But the real winner here is the person that wrote that message. Kudos to them for having the courage to admit they were wrong and move forward.

[applecorped]

Danger Will Robinson.

[MikeyMetz]

Welcome back to reality, FactCheck.

I know exactly where you're coming from. I'll readily admit that it's a rough transition back to the sane world. A year ago when I came to my senses, I went for at least a few months not really knowing what to believe about anything anymore (except for the fact that 9/11 Truth was bogus). If I could give any advice, it would be to just be patient. Critical thinking is no easy task, and even a year later I'm still just getting the hang of it really.

Knowing the real truth isn't always the easiest, especially since I lost a lot of friends over it. If you need anything, don't be afraid to contact me personally via email or AIM.


ETA: Whoops... I knew I had seen FactCheck before. I'm polishing my critical thinking skills, but I guess my reading comprehension needs a little work. FactCheck, if you could, please tell this guy to get in touch with me.

[jhunter1163]

Next time someone asks why it is we still do this six and a half years later, I'll point them to this thread. A small victory to be sure, but a victory nonetheless.

I also applaud the reformed Truther. It takes courage to say you were wrong.

[Undesired Walrus]

I watched the original Loose Change years ago, and surprisingly enough, it was the stain on the pentagon lawn that got most of my attention. Yet, I mostly wound down from 'That's damn fishy' by natural processes, finding the concept highly unlikely. I remember it was a builder who told me to watch it, regarding it as entertaining but nonesense, so maybe he played a role in my skepticism.

[Arus808]

nice email, fact. it just goes to show, that we can lead those wary from the dark side

really, I was lulled by the first Pentagon Conspiracy video (the one made by that french guy, in flash). I almost started arguing with people about it. Then came loose change, and I thought, hey maybe there is something to it.

But googling Loose Change, actually pulled up the 1 of the 4 threads that was found here at JREF about the movie. I literally read all four from beginning to end, and realized that I was stupid to believe the crap in that dumb movie.

JREF did convert me (though, i'd say I was a "truther" for maybe a couple of weeks - a month at most), but it was the work that I found here that convinced me what a whole lot of hogwash these conspiracy kooks are.

[TJM]

Congrats to the ex-truther.

Arus808: My introduction to JREF was also from the result of a google search. In my case, I was looking for debunking information on ae911truth and Richard Gage and I found the thread about the Hardfire debate and the infamous cardboard box demonstration. I've been hooked ever since.

Peace.

[l0k0]

Nice. I didn't, and still don't think many people are still on the fence about 9/11 CTs, but it is reassuring to see some people are willing to admit they were wrong when presented with the evidence. Considering how frustrating it is that so many truthers still deny or ignore facts that contradict their nonsense, it is nice to see some basic reasoning skills at work.

I have seen how wrapped up people get into CTs, and am aware they can be tough to let go. CTs give people someone to blame, makes them feel as though they know something others don't, and can give them a sense of importance with no prerequisites required. These reasons, along with others, can make CTists very reluctant to drop their beliefs, before an opposing argument is even presented.

[JihadJane]

....and don't go telling me it wasn't bin Liner/Saddam Insane who done the anthrax either, because it might destroy my sanity...

[Overman]

Best thread yet.

Changing the world for the better.

[DaN K. StAnLeY]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I was a click away from buying my "9/11 was an inside job t-shirt" until I saw Hardfire w/ Roberts and the Loose Culo twins followed by a MarkyX flick. Thanks to debunkers, I committed only about 2 weeks of my life to watching CT movies instead of 2 years screaming about boogiemen because I didn't type "debunk" into google.

Thanks again JREF'rs, and congratz to the dude in the post.

(I wonder if this guy was smoking pot at the time of his truther antics? Just to test the Willie Nelson Hypothesis.)

[JihadJane]

l0k0-->

******CTs give people someone to blame, makes them feel as though they know something others don't, and can give them a sense of importance with no prerequisites required.**********

I found it really reassuring believing that the very people I thought were protecting me would kill me and hundreds of thousands of other innocent, productive citizens for political and financial gain. Now I've stopped believing such rubbish I feel safe and sane again. Praise the Lord!

[DaN K. StAnLeY]

Quote:

It was at a very vulnerable time in my life when first saw loose change, and I think that's what gave it the impact it did in my mind.

I see this a bunch.

I think people who are relatively new to the internet also are prone to CT's. I know I never heard about this stuff until I started using the PC for things besides typing papers. It truly is an internet phenom and noobs (in my case anyway) can have problems identifying credible sites.

I'm also stupid so........ that could be it too......whatever

[chillzero]

Please, let's not derail the thread. Thanks.

Nice email Factcheck - thanks for sharing.

[chillzero]

OK, let's try again. Please do not derail this thread further or it will be split / moved to AAH. Do not personalise threads.

Responding to this modbox in thread will be off topic Posted By:chillzero

ETA: off topic posts moved to AAH

[cyclonic]

Originally Posted by jhunter1163

I also applaud the reformed Truther. It takes courage to say you were wrong.

Courage is a rare trait amongst truthers.

[Walter Ego]

Originally Posted by DaN K. StAnLeY

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I was a click away from buying my "9/11 was an inside job t-shirt" until I saw Hardfire w/ Roberts and the Loose Culo twins followed by a MarkyX flick. Thanks to debunkers, I committed only about 2 weeks of my life to watching CT movies instead of 2 years screaming about boogiemen because I didn't type "debunk" into google.

Since this seems to be true confessions time, I will say I’ve been a skeptic from childhood (when I found out adults weren’t always telling me the truth) and a fan of James Randi from my college days.

The only ‘woo’ (really semi-woo) I can recall ever being tempted by was a very silly series of books by Wilson Brian Key about ‘subliminal seduction.’

I’m sure I’ve been vaguely aware of 9/11 ‘truth’ for the last few years, but I paid it no real attention until December of last year and I joined the JREF forum in January.

I can’t recall my exact path to this sub-forum but it was probably seeing the video of the truthers getting ejected from Bill Maher’s studio combined with watching the movie United 93 on video about the same time and doing some googling on both subjects.

I began my 9/11 video blog in February mainly to collect all the good debunking videos on one site and for my own amusement and edification. I don’t consider myself a debunker, just a skeptic.

[deep]

With your help, this person has discovered that anyone who supports 9/11 truth is 'insane', and can simply be ignored - regardless of how many advanced degrees they hold.

So nice work, gang. Keep on fighting the good fight against a new investigation - as noted in the letter, it would extremely uncomfortable to believe anything that is at odds with your current worldview ("cognitive dissonance").

[mrbaracuda]

Originally Posted by deep44

With your help, this person has discovered that anyone who supports 9/11 truth is 'insane', and can simply be ignored - regardless of how many advanced degrees they hold.

Tell me, is it Judy 'Laser Beam' Wood, or Dr. Judy 'Laser Beam' Wood?

[stateofgrace]

Originally Posted by deep44

With your help, this person has discovered that anyone who supports 9/11 truth is 'insane', and can simply be ignored - regardless of how many advanced degrees they hold.

So nice work, gang. Keep on fighting the good fight against a new investigation - as noted in the letter, it would extremely uncomfortable to believe anything that is at odds with your current worldview ("cognitive dissonance").

So what's stopping you ? Get to it, produce ALL your evidence, get a brand new investigation underway, oh wait lets just cry for one from the very Gov we accuse of mass murder everyday , right? DUH.

Nice email BTW.

[Drudgewire]

Originally Posted by parky76

JREF aren't the ones who saved me from the insanity of 9-11 Truth...but they sure have helped kept me from even considering going to back to such a stupid and paranoid state of
mind.

That's the boat I was in. Just coming out of my CT phase when 9/11 happened, and could easily have been swayed back in.

Great letter, and a reminder that not everyone in the twoof movement is already lost. There are a few (albeit not many) who actually mean it when they say they're "just asking questions" and actually will listen to the answers.

[IronSnot]

It's almost like he's born again isn't it?

[Grizzly Bear]

Originally Posted by FactCheck

I just received this e-mail but I thought it was just as much for the members of this forum as it is for me. Good job to everyone at JREF!

______________________________

Hi...just wanted to say thanks for all your work, and also thank you to everyone else who has done similar work in blogs, websites and debunking documentaries. I was sucked in by this 911 conspiracy crap for over two years of my life. It nearly destroyed my sanity. I watched loose change and it really disturbed me. After that I watched everything I could on the subject, except what contradicted it. I didn't know there was so much stuff out there that does. It was at a very vulnerable time in my life when first saw loose change, and I think that's what gave it the impact it did in my mind. Anyway, I am so relieved to be free of this madness at last. I owe it to Screw 911 Mysteries for this. 911 ' truth ' really is like a cult. It was hard to break out of it. But now I'm free. I'm no scientist or expert. Just a person who was exposed to this stuff who trusted these people. I guess I found out how gullible I am. It is a lesson I will never forget. This really did a number on my whole life. I wonder if I am in the minority? I mean after being a believer of this for two years, and now understanding how its next to impossible to get conspiracy theorists to listen to reason. But it was the excellent debunking that broke through all the crap I filled my head with for two years. I feel like I owe you guys my life. Keep up the GREAT work.

Sincerely,

[name edited out]
________________

Your efforts are not in vain.

Thanks for sharing...
Somewhat of a moral booster

[Drudgewire]

Happy burfday GB.

[MarkyX]

Originally Posted by cyclonic

Screw 9/11 mysteries and screw loose change is debunking at its best, i still get truthers even this week telling me to watch loose change and 9/11 mysteries as "proof" of an inside job,when told to watch SLC and S911M 70% don't comeback and the other 30% just ignore the videos and spout other woo.

Thank you THE DOC and MarkyX for making those brilliant videos!

I think my video is proof that you don't need to spellcheck your work because scientific facts and exposure to fraud tend to really stick onto people.

[JihadJane]

deep44-->

*******With your help, this person has discovered that anyone who supports 9/11 truth is 'insane', and can simply be ignored - regardless of how many advanced degrees they hold.********

So, if even a single person who supports 911 truth turns out to be sane does that mean 911 truth supporters are right after all?

Is tying one's beliefs to a theory of mass insanity really such a wise thing to do?


Similarly cyclonic declares-->

********Courage is a rare trait amongst truthers.*******

How is this judgement arrived at?

By rational scientific study?

[HyJinX]

Learn the quoting feature, Jihad.

[mrbaracuda]

Originally Posted by JihadJane

deep44-->

*******With your help, this person has discovered that anyone who supports 9/11 truth is 'insane', and can simply be ignored - regardless of how many advanced degrees they hold.********

So, if even a single person who supports 911 truth turns out to be sane does that mean 911 truth supporters are right after all?

Is tying one's beliefs to a theory of mass insanity really such a wise thing to do?


Similarly cyclonic declares-->

********Courage is a rare trait amongst truthers.*******

How is this judgement arrived at?

By rational scientific study?

Is this some serious case of JAQing off?