Definition of a Conspiracy Theory

Recently, there have been a number of disputes over what constitutes being a "conspiracy theory" and what warrants being placed in the conspiracy forum. In all likelihood, these disputes arose because our resident conspiracy buffs resent the stigma attached to conspiracies and would prefer that their theories be kept out of the conspiracy forum.

So here, to set the record straight, I am providing some definitions:

conspiracy theory: a theory that explains an event or set of circumstances as the result of a secret plot by usually powerful conspirators
http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/conspiracy theory

conspiracy: (1) the act of conspiring together (2)(a) an agreement among conspirators (b) a group of conspirators
http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/conspiracy

conspire: to join in a secret agreement to do an unlawful or wrongful act or an act which becomes unlawful as a result of the secret agreement
http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/conspire

Any theories, debates, or discussions that relate to the above definitions will be placed in the conspiracy forum. And let me make this clear: a moderator moving a topic into the conspiracy forum does not mean that it is being censored or that we do not believe the thoery. Notice that no where in the above definitions is it indicated that all conspiracy forums are false. True or not, conspiracy theories are still conspiracy theories and they belong in the proper forum.