oh wow, and it may exist I havent done any research lol.

Why wouldn't anyone believe it doesn't exist?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zionism

From the definitions put forward in this thread (i had prev. heard the word but hadnt been totally sure what exactly it meant) i would say that yes it does exist.

The question why is there a thread about it?

considering it was a Russian rewriting of a book about Napoleon III, and outed as a complete hoax many years ago, I think it's safe to say "fake".

some people think that there is a multinational conpiracy in which jewish people are trying to take over the world. It's the same crap the orthodox church, Nazis, and modern extremist muslims have spread since the first crusade. Now people took an actual word "zionism" and have tried to make it mean the above in an attempt to make their theory have legitimacy.

Zionism does exist. The belief of Jewish people that there should be a continuing Jewish state in Palestine is Zionism.

The accusations that it is somehow behind nearly all the ills of the world is in my opinion a load of tosh however. Sure the state of Israel is far (and I really do mean far) from perfect, but most of the conspiracy theories with 'Zionism' behind them are blatantly a load of bollocks. Mostly now the phrase is used by anti-semites who like to believe that the Jews are behind everything bad that happens.

The whole Zionist conspriacy theory makes me sick.

There are some legitimate criticisms of the Israeli military and government that can not be taken seriously, because nutters are out there with their insane theories. Anyone who tries to raise these legitimate criticisms is simply assumed to be a conspiracy theorist, or a racist/antisemitic.

TL;DR version - Do I believe in a vast multinational conspiracy theory in which the Jews control the world or are attempting to gain control of the world? Fuck no.

Im sure that the israeli government does exert its influence to affect world and particularly american opinion in its favour. Having said that i dont think its on its own in doing that - it simply has much greater power for its size than other such countries. Do i believe there is a conspiracy - NO. But i do believe that nearly all jewish people in countries other that Israel do support Israel and its policies (policies which are pretty controversial all things considered). Not sure how different that is from other cultures and religions tho. Maybe the extent that they support Israel??

I don't think you quite understand what zionism is....

Yeah I mean... it's a historically documented movement to establish a jewish homeland and allow jewish people to control their own destiny born out of centuries of antisemtism.