As churches prove 'fertile ground' for conspiracy theories, some pastors are taking a stand TueTuesday 22 updated TueTuesday 22 DecDecember 2020 at 8:28pm Reverend Bill Crews has noticed greater interest in conspiracy theories among his church members this year. ( Share Print text only Cancel During the whirlwind of 2020, Sydney reverend and radio host Bill Crews has noticed a surge in an old foe within his flock — conspiracy theories. Christian groups have long been susceptible to conspiracy theories, he says, but the rise of the internet, and more recently COVID-19, has exacerbated the issue. "Churches can become petri dishes of this stuff, particularly if you've got really charismatic people who don't have any ethics," says Reverend Crews.