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Among American Conservatives, but not Liberals, trust in science has been declining since the 1970's. Climate science has become particularly polarized, with Conservatives being more likely than Liberals to reject the notion that greenhouse gas emissions are warming the globe. Conversely, opposition to genetically-modified (GM) foods and vaccinations is often ascribed to the political Left although reliable data are lacking. There are also growing indications that rejection of science is suffused by conspiracist ideation, that is the general tendency to endorse conspiracy theories including the specific beliefs that inconvenient scientific findings constitute a “hoax.”
The "world view" in question - whether it is in regards to environmental and climate-oriented changes, or even in the mundane debate about human society (including, but not limited to issues of reproductive choice, healthcare, marriage and the family, etc.) - is often colored by unquestioning belief in religion and religious dogmas. In my opinion, when religion enters the picture passions and emotions take over and reason dissipates. We need only to look at the conflicts in the Mid East.
Among "true believers" I have detected an attitude that climate, natural disasters, geological forces like volcanos, overpopulation growth, extinction of species, and so on are all orchestrated by a supreme diety and somehow a part of "intelligent design" that we mere mortals cannot understand. Besides, they say, we are living in the "End Days" so who cares anyway?
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