Betrayal

At just two years old, I became aware that someone was trying to alter my perception of reality. My mother, visibly anxious, attempted to distract me with a Life Magazine that was nearly my size. I sensed her unease, and soon after, she left me with an unfamiliar woman in a white uniform. Terrified, I had no clue if I would see my mother again and feared for my safety.

The truth was, I needed urgent surgery, and during the early 1960s, parents were generally encouraged to stay away from their hospitalized children. Thankfully, the procedure was successful, and I survived to share this story. Yet, my mother's seemingly protective deception left a lasting impression, instilling a deep-seated mistrust of authority figures that would stay with me well into adulthood.

Years later, this distrust intensified as the Western world underwent a cultural upheaval that urged people to question authority. I was twelve when the Watergate scandal exposed corruption at the highest levels of government, leading many, including myself, to believe that the hierarchy of power was inherently flawed.

But how did we transition from questioning authority to embracing conspiracy theories?

Reality

It’s crucial to note that conspiracy theories can indeed be rooted in truth, as evidenced by Watergate. Many of us are aware of numerous instances of deceit in the upper echelons of corporations and governments—many of which began as conspiracy theories that were later substantiated by whistleblowers and investigative journalists. History teaches us to scrutinize the prevailing narratives surrounding events.

However, the conspiracy theories proliferating on social media today are often accepted as truth with scant evidence backing their claims. Many assertions are so detached from the reality we recognize that it seems like their proponents have lost touch with reason.

"There’s a growing belief that authority—scientific, political, informational—is questionable," observes Michael Barkun, a political scientist at Syracuse University. This sentiment rings true; there is indeed a rising skepticism toward information presented by those in positions of power.

Experts have identified social media and increasing societal divisions as contributors to this escalating distrust. While I concur that these factors play a role, it's also apparent that as we become more aware of the ways our understanding of reality is manipulated, many of us are left wondering how to distinguish fact from fiction.

How do we ascertain what is real?

I sympathize with the skepticism toward authority; after all, I’ve harbored doubts about it since early childhood. Yet, I refuse to merely accept this distrust as a permanent state. I yearn to comprehend how we arrive at understanding.

I seek to explore how information can either enlighten us or obscure our grasp of the truth. Additionally, I want to know why individuals can perceive the same situation in starkly different—and often conflicting—ways.

Science

Science claims to reveal facts through systematic observation and experimentation. However, it also represents "a specific branch of knowledge," implying that there are alternative ways of knowing. Not everything valuable can be quantified, and not every significant reality can be measured. Despite its beauty and importance, the scientific method has its limitations, and when scientists act as if their discipline is the sole means of discerning reality, they risk becoming as dogmatic as any religious sect.

Many individuals today feel that something essential is lacking in the scientific method, something that pertains to their personal truths. They resist dismissing alternative ways of acquiring knowledge about the world.

Yet, if we allow for other branches of knowledge, how can we discern reliable information from falsehoods? This question is pivotal in an era dominated by "fake news." Our collective suspicion of authority—including science—has brought us to what some perceive as an existential crisis. Calls to dismantle existing systems, whether they are institutions, media, law enforcement, political parties, or government, are emerging from various sectors of the political spectrum.

Simultaneously, certain conspiracy theories, like QAnon and Plandemic, seem to jeopardize our societal understanding of truth in unsettling ways. These theories complicate dialogues with friends and family, highlighting a growing divergence in how we perceive reality.

Have you ever felt shocked to learn that a friend or relative, once aligned with your views, now sees things differently? This kind of personal disconnection contributes to an increasingly polarized political climate.

In many respects, we've lost a shared understanding of what constitutes reality, and on another level, we never fully agreed on what is true versus false.

Faith

What role does religion play in our search for trustworthy information? Some individuals of faith have long navigated two paths of knowledge, accepting some scientific insights while also interpreting Biblical events and prophecies literally.

The Christian Bible describes faith as "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1), while the Quran's term for faith (al-iman) emphasizes affirmation and compliance. For Muslims, there's a greater focus on reason and intellect in practicing faith, but adherence remains a significant aspect.

Interpreting these definitions literally may limit personal conclusions about reality, unless they align with religious doctrine. Faith can often feel prescriptive.

Growing up in a Christian household, I was encouraged to accept our church's teachings without question. Despite reading the Bible cover to cover at the age of twelve, I was discouraged from interpreting it using my intellect. I was expected to believe that our church's interpretation was the only valid one.

This was challenging for me. I enjoyed thinking critically and forming my own opinions. Moreover, the three influential women in my life practiced different faiths—my paternal grandmother was Evangelical, my maternal grandmother was a Mormon, and my mother belonged to another Christian denomination. Their interpretations of Scripture often conflicted, leaving me questioning who, if anyone, was correct.

Witnessing the debates among my family members about differing religious beliefs led to my disillusionment with religion.

Scientific Method

Upon entering college, I eagerly embraced the scientific method, believing it would guide me to the truth. I immersed myself in learning about randomized samples, experimenter bias, double-blind studies, and statistical analysis. I became captivated by the rigorous approach to scientific discovery that prioritized theories over concrete facts.

I soon realized that the only certainty is that we can never know anything with absolute certainty. Scientific inquiry is an ongoing process requiring multiple studies aimed at disproving theories. The objective of science is to move beyond confirmation bias and uncover facts rather than affirm our existing beliefs.

However, I observed that many scientists cling to their theories and compete to assert their version of the truth over others, even those who may lack the same credentials. While we often associate religious dogma with rigidity, could there also be a form of scientific dogma?

The history of scientific advancement is filled with disproven theories that became entrenched until sufficient evidence compelled even the staunchest scientists to abandon their beliefs, or until the old guard passed away, taking their dogmas with them.

This doesn’t imply that science is incapable of revealing reality. However, researchers are still subject to human weaknesses, including a tendency to hold onto beliefs. The drive to adhere to a belief can affect both science and religion, as well as any human endeavor.

Belief in something does not equate to its truth. One can hold strong convictions yet still be mistaken. Can we at least agree on this?

Philosophical Materialism

Some argue that contemporary science is plagued by philosophical materialism—the belief that only matter and energy are real while mental and spiritual experiences are merely functions of the nervous system. In this view, emotional and spiritual phenomena are not genuine manifestations of reality but are merely "in our heads."

From the scientific perspective, emotional and spiritual experiences are considered expressions of electrical and chemical reactions in the brain. What we perceive as spiritual or emotional lacks inherent meaning beyond survival and reproduction.

Yet, this perspective doesn’t resonate with many of us. Have you ever felt an instinctive certainty about who was calling when the phone rang? Or sensed someone’s gaze even when you couldn’t see them?

Numerous vital aspects of our lives defy measurement through double-blind studies. Love, for example, holds more significance for most of us than simply being a means to ensure genetic continuation. Many of us have experienced moments when our intuition guided us toward beneficial actions for ourselves or loved ones, and we have "known" things without relying on our five senses.

The Paranormal

Did you know that over 70% of people report having paranormal experiences—events that defy scientific explanation? While many may hesitate to share such experiences for fear of ridicule, it’s clear that these encounters shape our understanding of reality.

Is it surprising, then, that some are expressing skepticism toward science and scientists? When scientific explanations dismiss widely shared human experiences, they can come across as rigid constraints rather than opportunities for growth.

However, completely rejecting scientific knowledge poses dangers, leading to tangible consequences, such as the spread of a deadly virus when scientific data is disregarded.

Scientific Method and Rational Thought as Racism?

A recent controversy at the Smithsonian Institution illustrates the extent of distrust in science. The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture published an online guide titled "Talking about Race," which aimed to address an important conversation.

The guide identified aspects of "white culture" that have been normalized over time and claimed they are inherently racist. What were these purportedly nefarious traits? According to the guide, values like "hard work," "self-reliance," "politeness," and punctuality are products of a "white dominant culture." The guide even suggested that conventional grammar, Christianity, the principle that "intent counts" in legal matters, and the scientific method—which emphasizes "objective, rational linear thinking"—are all exclusive to "white culture."

The backlash was swift and intense in response to the assertion that the scientific method and rational thought are racist, leading to the guide's removal. Nevertheless, it highlights how skepticism toward science and logic is infiltrating even our most established institutions.

The questioning of previously accepted truths is emerging from all sides—liberal and conservative, religious and scientific.

The Dangers of Doubting Scientific Fact

I often ponder how those who reject science still rely on it. Perhaps they take for granted the numerous modern conveniences that science has made possible. Would we have electricity, smartphones, satellite communications, or countless other advancements without scientific progress?

Or maybe they overlook that scientific research provides the data we use to manage outcomes more effectively. Have you heard of Environmental Science? Computer Science?

Science is a vital branch of knowledge that supplies the data necessary for many valuable tasks. Consequently, disregarding this branch of knowledge would be nothing short of irrational.

The Scientific Revolution of the 16th and 17th centuries liberated us from religious dogma, undermining the authority of religion, which some view as an unforgivable sin. Yet for many, it opened the door to intellectual freedom and expanded our understanding of the earth and the cosmos.

Nevertheless, the foundational principles of the Scientific Revolution often framed nature as a machine. This mechanistic view has faced criticism in recent years, and rightly so. While early scientists aimed to mitigate their biases by perceiving nature mechanistically, this long-term approach has endangered our planet by neglecting the energetic connections that define the biosphere.

By excluding other branches of knowledge and positioning itself as the only source of understanding, science has often dismissed intuitive knowledge as mere superstition or quackery. This dismissal has inadvertently devalued Indigenous Wisdom, rendering it primitive and unworthy of respect.

Question Authority

It seems that whenever an organization—be it a church, research institution, or government body—attains a level of power and influence, it often devolves into authoritarianism. Is this an inevitable outcome? I cannot say for certain, but history suggests it is a likely outcome.

Could the current wave of distrust in science be more closely tied to a general skepticism toward authority and power structures? As a child, my mind was filled with questions and doubts. These inquiries felt natural; however, how did I come to doubt my perceptions?

For me, the answer is clear. My parents frequently contradicted my observations and emotions. Consequently, I learned to doubt my sense of reality and to suppress my opinions and feelings. I understood that adults sought to control thoughts and emotions.

Denial as Mind Control

Yet, the situation was more sinister. My father was abusing my mother and molesting my sister and me, but no one in the family acknowledged the reality of these events. When I attempted to bring it to light, I was met with denial.

Experiencing parental abuse while being denied its existence can severely distort one's perception of reality. The trauma from such abuse can further obscure one's sense of self and reality.

Trauma and Cognitive Distortion

It's widely recognized that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma responses can lead to cognitive distortions—unpleasant thoughts that are extreme or exaggerated and inconsistent with reality. Additionally, individuals with PTSD often allocate significant cognitive resources to threat detection, interpreting benign stimuli as threatening.

The QAnon conspiracy suggests that the U.S. government, particularly the Democratic Party, is controlled by a cabal of pedophiles and Satan-worshippers running a global child sex-trafficking operation. Could it be that many QAnon followers are survivors of sexual abuse, consciously or unconsciously?

Kelsey Baker, a former Marine Corps Sexual Assault Victims’ Advocate, posits that QAnon adherents are not merely victims of social media hysteria or fearful individuals seeking certainty in tumultuous times; she argues that some may very well be survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Baker's perspective warrants consideration. Although child abuse often goes unreported, data indicates that at least one in seven children will experience abuse this year. The majority of child abuse perpetrators are the parents of the victim.

The real tragedy is that conspiracy theories distract from the fact that the most common sites of child sexual abuse are within the home. Children are far more likely to be victimized by people they know—parents, teachers, coaches, and clergy.

But perhaps this reality isn’t sensational enough? Or maybe it simply strikes too close to home?

Belief

A study titled "The Biochemistry of Belief" revealed that beliefs act as "internal commands" to the brain regarding how to interpret experiences when we genuinely believe something to be true. Without beliefs, or the ability to connect with them, people may feel powerless.

If beliefs are akin to software in our brains, can we not upgrade that software?

I believe we can, and I strive to make this a regular practice in my life.

Why do I prioritize this?

Because beliefs tend to solidify and resist new information.

I suspect that my inclination toward this uncommon perspective stems from my childhood experiences. The "religious wars" I witnessed as my parents and grandparents vehemently argued their beliefs disillusioned me with belief in general.

Thus, I aim to hold my beliefs loosely, remaining open to information that may update or alter my understanding of reality. I welcome these shifts in perception and sometimes even crave them, as I refuse to be confined by rigid beliefs—doing so feels like imprisonment.

Curiosity

Challenging our beliefs demands curiosity, and curiosity requires courage.

Why is courage necessary?

Because your curiosity may unveil truths that contradict your previous beliefs, which can be painfully disorienting. I know this firsthand, having experienced that discomfort repeatedly. However, the good news is that it usually passes quickly. Embracing curiosity and flexibility to absorb new information is an adventure I wouldn’t trade for anything.

A Way Forward?

Yet, as a species, we often favor comfort over curiosity. In our quest for security, we tend to cling to the beliefs of our predecessors, peers, tribes, or esteemed authority figures. Too frequently, we find solace in polarized belief systems—where one is either with us or against us.

This phenomenon is observable across the spectrum—within science, religion, and across political lines.

The human desire for belonging is deeply rooted in our survival instinct. Historically, those who were ostracized from their tribes faced significant resource scarcity, endangering their survival.

Our tribal instincts can drive us to adopt the beliefs of others, seeking the warmth of belonging. But what if belonging to a group means conforming to rigid beliefs instead of embracing the complexities of reality?

Today, we have access to various resources, regardless of group affiliation. This provides us with the freedom to think independently.

To achieve this, one must first understand their defense mechanisms. Denial and projection can severely hinder critical thinking and curiosity.

Studying history can also provide context and comparative insights into human beliefs and behaviors. Familiarizing oneself with diverse beliefs throughout history—whether rooted in superstition, religion, or science—can illuminate our current understanding.

Recognizing how reality has been conceptualized over time allows for greater openness to emerging thoughts.

Tribal conformity has historically sustained our species until the advent of scientific inquiry, which became a more dependable source of information. Thanks to science, we distanced ourselves from the pitfalls of superstition, like witch hunts.

Yet, could it be that the rise of outlandish conspiracy theories is a response to dissatisfaction with scientific dogma that claims to be the sole valid source of knowledge?

Is this moment defined not only by questioning authority but also by a broader examination of reality itself?

Your mind is your most valuable asset. Allowing others to fill your thoughts with unvetted ideas compromises your autonomy and diminishes your personal power.

It is evident that our dominant discourse fails to reconcile scientific discovery and critical thinking with spiritual experiences. Instead, we are compelled to choose a side—either to reject intuitive knowledge in favor of scientific data or to concede that faith is the only path to wisdom.

No single branch of knowledge can fully encompass reality as we experience it. Each area of knowledge has a role to play in our pursuit of truth.

We can seek truth without naively embracing conspiracy theories that echo the same hysteria that fueled historical witch hunts. We can also explore practices like meditation, prayer, psychedelics, and even connecting with nature.

Perhaps we would benefit from leading more earth-connected lives and questioning authority—including the theories and beliefs that provide us with comfort and security.

Your mind is your most precious possession. Allowing others to dictate your thoughts without personal vetting diminishes your autonomy and compromises your power. While exploring all branches of knowledge may require time and effort, neglecting this pursuit could lead to dire consequences.

If we learn to harness both our rational minds and our intuitive insights while honoring both scientific and spiritual achievements, we might yet forge a brighter future for ourselves, our loved ones, and potentially for all life on Earth.