August 12, 2026
How can you tell if someone is really a scapegoat or no?
That question matters more than we think.
In the previous episode, Bill and I did something unusual. Instead of following a tight outline, we had a conversation about the recent Anthony Fauci news.
There was plenty to say about lab leak, Fauci’s diary, Rand Paul, the Fifth Amendment, and the “spillover gang.” But Bill kept circling back to one question: Was Anthony Fauci a scapegoat?
I gave an answer. At the time, it seemed sufficient.
But I could tell Bill was not satisfied.
Afterwards, that nagged at me.
Context of the Scapegoat
Gracearchy with Jim Babka has niche concerns. Every serious endeavor does. Why would you bother listening to commentary by parrots?
We are fans of the philosophy of Rene Girard. I believe both libertarians and Christians, and especially Christian libertarians (and vice versa) should know Girard’s tools. That is why we repeatedly say, episode 88 – René Girard: The Founding of Religion and State – is our most important episode.
Girard explains that religions, nations, and states are founded on sacrifice – the sacred murder of someone who possesses partial or complete innocence. That person is the scapegoat. The grossly oversimplified version (go watch 88) goes like this…
Desire is modeled.
An imitator covets.
Rivalry ensues.
The contagion spreads; an angry mob forms.
Violence breaks out. There might even be a war.
The scapegoat is blamed for the violence and killed.
Peace returns, so the scapegoat becomes sacred.
Taboos and rituals arise so the community can avoid repeating the war.
If Girard is right, then this process has profound implications in sociology, theology, and plain old politics.
Bill helped me realize, we need standards. We need tests that can be applied beyond Fauci, beyond this news cycle, and beyond our saints or villains. I came up with “Four Tests of the Scapegoat” which can be viewed at…
OR…
I’ll list those tests, right here…
- The Non-Culpability Test
- The Motive Check Test
- The Rivalry Test
- The Restoration or Vengeance Test
Plus, in the previous episode, I had already explained the vital importance of truth in the Truth and Reconciliation process.
These tests matter because…
Scapegoating is not merely an accusation we fling to cover people we like, or a defense we offer when our side gets cornered.
It’s a spiritual and social mechanism. It’s how tribes and communities hide their sins by placing them on someone else.
Along the way, Bill stuns me with an unfamiliar bit of insight. I mean, he really catches me off-guard. You’ll be able to tell. So…
Fortunately for me, I learned something new during this show. And you will too!
This episode is evergreen. It’s not really about Fauci. It is about how to recognize the scapegoat mechanism before you’re drawn to join the mob.
We’re on these audio podcasting platforms: Spotify * Pandora * iHeart * Apple, and several others.
We’re featuring today’s episode on…
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ZAP The State and have a nice day,
Jim Babka
Host, Gracearchy with Jim Babka
Co-creator, Zero Aggression Project
P.S. I realize that I am starting a debate. Not every Girardian will agree with me.
I suspect some disagreement will come from people predisposed to believe that Fauci was Rand Paul’s victim. But that is not sufficient.
We should presume innocence. But not every person in the dock is a scapegoat. Sometimes, they may just be guilty.
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Jim Babka is the co-creator of the Zero Aggression Project. However, the views expressed in the show do not necessarily reflect those of the board, staff, or supporters of the Zero Aggression Project (Downsize DC Foundation).