Summary

After its obscure Internet beginnings in late 2017, QAnon experienced very rapid growth in both the United States and overseas. Although it began as a political conspiracy theory, it gradually was transformed into a religious movement, although conspiracism remained a central element in its belief system. QAnon was unusual among religious movements in having no formal organization and no designated leadership. However, for its adherents it involves matters of ultimate concern, a hallmark of religious movements.

Its prophet-figure, Q, ceased posting—Q’s only movement activity—in late 2020. QAnon asserts that there is a “deep state” cabal consisting of the liberal “establishment”—Democratic Party leadership and supporters, media figures, and celebrities—who seek to undermine conservative policies while also engaging in a plot to kidnap children, abuse them, and sacrifice them in satanic rituals. Their sacrifice is also supposedly for the purpose of extracting adrenochrome from their bodies, which the members of the conspiracy are said to imbibe for a “high” and to preserve their youth. This is set against an eschatology that argues that there will be a coming final battle with the conspirators in which the forces of virtue will be led by Donald Trump in a quasi-messianic role.