Science denialism has real-world consequences
Science denialism is often treated as an intellectual problem or a political disagreement. But its consequences are deeply human. When people reject evidence-based medicine, climate science or public health guidance, the greatest harms often fall on children, older adults and marginalized communities.
For instance, measles, an extremely contagious viral disease that is especially life-threatening for young children, was essentially eliminated in the US due to the widespread deployment of vaccines in the 1960s and 1970s. However, this spring we are seeing the largest measles outbreak in 30 years and the US is on track to lose its measles elimination status at the end of 2026. The current outbreak is the result of reduced childhood vaccination rates over the past 5 years and reflects a broader rise in vaccine skepticism.
This trend, along with increased support for untested health treatments, rejection of the dangers of climate change, and acts of violence aimed at scientists all indicate that the US is moving towards science denialism and away from valuing scientific expertise.
Indeed, polls show that since 2020, more Americans distrust scientists (from 13% to 22% ) and fewer believe science has a positive effect on society (from 73% to 61%). As a former university professor and biochemist, I am, of course, extremely concerned. But everyone, not just scientists, should be worried. When science skepticism influences civic decision-making, endangering public health and that of the planet, it is everyone’s disaster.
Science denialism is a social justice issue
Distrust of science is also a social justice issue. Ignoring or discrediting scientific consensus disproportionately affects vulnerable populations. For example, vaccination rates are lowest (and resulting hospitalizations are the highest) among children and people of color. The health and environmental effects of the climate emergency are felt the most by our poorest populations, while fuel companies fight any attempt to reduce emissions (and therefore their profits). And these inequities are structural. Undermining trust in science and other institutions helps concentrate power, creating a snowball effect whereby structural inequity fuels further inequities.
As Christians, we are called to treat our neighbor as ourselves, and we need to fight against misinformation the same way we fight against racism or gender inequality. And, in the same way, the Church must take a hard look in the mirror and face our complicity in the problem. Of all Americans, Christians are twice as likely as those who are religiously unaffiliated to agree that science does more harm than good. While the distrust of science is an exceptionally complex phenomenon (a meta-analysis of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy identified age, gender, socioeconomic status, level of education, rural versus urban locale, race/ethnicity and political persuasion as relevant demographic factors affecting vaccination rates in the US), studies indicate that religiosity and Christian nationalist beliefs are key predictors of vaccine hesitancy.
What Christians can do
The good news is that, while Christians are part of the problem, we might also be part of the solution. Most experts in science communication agree that simply providing facts rarely works to change people’s minds. Rather, science denialism is best fought through the lens of shared identity, and Christians who wish to join the fight against science skepticism might start this effort in their own faith communities. Those of us who are both Christians and scientists, engineers, and healthcare workers can share our stories and offer our expertise within a dialogue that centers on shared values and mutual humility. Nonprofit organizations like BioLogos and Science for the Church can help pastors integrate scientific content into their sermons, while the AAAS Science for Seminaries Initiative can get the next generation of faith leaders comfortable with scientific content. Congregations can add visits to nature preserves or observatories to our Sunday schools and summer camp programming.
We should also act in the public sphere. Christians hold tremendous political power in the current moment; we can petition our representatives to vote for pro-science policies, protest in support of science, or even run for office. If we speak freely about our beliefs and our vocation, if we make clear, by our very presence and authenticity and spiritual authority, that there is no inherent conflict between science and faith, we will open minds.
So, I invite all scientists of faith and all the faithful who respect science to join me in working against science denialism in the name of social justice. Let’s put our heads together, roll up our sleeves, put on our lab coats, and pick up our Bibles — we’ll need them all for the fight ahead.
