The Corruption of Truth: Understanding Pseudoscience in Our Time

Pseudoscience: A Threat to Truth and Society

Pseudoscience has been a detrimental force in society for centuries. The most infamous examples—such as the Holocaust, the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, and the misuse of astrology and personality studies—highlight the destructive power of ideas presented as science. I, too, once fell into the trap of pseudoscience, and it consumed me. But what exactly is pseudoscience?

At its core, pseudoscience refers to beliefs, theories, and practices that are not grounded in scientific methods or facts. Simply put, it involves adopting falsehoods as truths, often wrapped in a veneer of scientific legitimacy. By introducing subjective beliefs into our mental framework, pseudoscience eventually disrupts our emotional stability, undermines our ability to manage relationships, and erodes our sense of self. This in turn affects our values, health, and decision-making.

But why does pseudoscience persist and even thrive in society? The answer lies in culture and time. Pseudoscience is heavily influenced by cultural forces. Throughout history, harmful practices were often justified by so-called “scientific” reasoning. During the Holocaust and in the case of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, harmful practices were purportedly based on science. In both cases, the prevailing culture and the beliefs of the time provided a framework for these ideas to take root, despite their moral and factual flaws. This is why it is difficult for people to fully understand or accept the Bible today—truth is timeless, but we often try to interpret it through the lens of our own culture and era.

Consider the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, where the U.S. government conducted an unethical experiment on African American men by withholding treatment for syphilis to study the disease’s progression. Similarly, during the Holocaust, the Nazi regime used pseudoscientific theories to justify atrocities such as forced sterilizations, eugenics, and racial hygiene, while claiming to advance scientific knowledge. Both examples highlight the dangers of allowing cultural and ideological biases to shape science.

In modern times, we are witnessing a new form of pseudoscience, particularly in studies related to LGBTQ+ issues and abortion. While many people may resist labeling these topics as pseudoscientific, they do align with it for several reasons. Social sciences, such as psychology and sociology, are often labeled as “soft sciences,” meaning their findings are less grounded in empirical evidence than “hard sciences” like biology or chemistry. These studies, which often reflect societal trends, have sometimes been distorted or manipulated to fit cultural norms rather than objective truths.

Here are three reasons why LGBTQ+ studies, for instance, can be seen as steeped in pseudoscience:

1. Reliance on Testimonial Evidence: Much of the support for LGBTQ+ studies comes from personal testimonies—individual accounts of how people identify or feel about their gender and sexuality. While these testimonies are valuable for understanding human experiences, they do not constitute empirical evidence, and are often influenced by emotional or cultural biases, rather than objective, scientific research.

2. Shifting Ethical Standards: The standards for ethical research in these fields have evolved to support current cultural norms, similar to how past scientific practices were altered to justify slavery or eugenics. The language used in these studies often changes to better align with the evolving cultural narrative, even when it contradicts long-established scientific understanding.

3. Lack of Retrospective Analysis: There is no substantial, long-term empirical evidence proving that someone is born with a particular sexual orientation or gender identity. Without extensive retrospective analysis, which is a cornerstone of true scientific inquiry, such claims remain speculative and culturally driven.

   
   

In the past, pseudoscience was used to convince us to harm others openly. Today, it is used to convince us to harm ourselves and others blindly.

I believe the fundamental purpose of these studies is to normalize behaviors and lifestyles that contradict natural biological functions. The most telling question we can ask ourselves is this: “Would you attend an incestuous wedding?” The response to this question sheds light on the cultural double standards that allow one behavior to be normalized while another is rejected, even though both may be defended with similar reasoning.

The reason I draw a parallel between same-sex marriage and incestuous marriage is because both can be rationalized using the same arguments. Yet, these comparisons challenge our cultural assumptions and force us to confront the deeper questions of morality, science, and truth.

Ultimately, pseudoscience is a manifestation of a deeper spiritual issue. As human beings, we are spiritually dead in our sins and transgressions, and only through faith in Jesus can we find true life. Jesus makes three profound claims: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” If Jesus is the truth, then everything outside of Him is false. Our spiritual condition is corrupted, and only by acknowledging Him as the source of truth can we escape the deceit of pseudoscience.

In conclusion, the only way to truly escape the grasp of pseudoscience is to tether ourselves to the absolute truth found in Jesus Christ. This requires shedding the belief that truth is subjective, recognizing that truth is constant, and embracing the only source of real life and understanding.