Jason Benell lives in Des Moines with his wife and two children. He is a combat veteran, a former city council candidate, and the president of Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers. This essay first appeared on his Substack newsletter, The Odd Man Out.
It seems that many Republicans, especially those in Iowa, have a tough relationship with science. They often treat science as just a tool to look good instead of understanding it as a thoughtful process. Science involves questioning, testing, and learning, but this approach often gets lost in political talks.
Instead of using real scientific evidence, some Republicans lean on traditions, beliefs, or cultural symbols to back their policies. On one side, we have scientific and secular groups presenting facts, while on the other, we often see faith-based organizations and concerned citizens without solid evidence. Many treat science like a holy text—an absolute authority to reference rather than a method to analyze and understand the world.
This isn’t a new issue; it has roots that go back decades. Some conservative voices co-opt the word “science,” creating “alternative facts” to support their views. They may claim to favor science, but when we look closely, we often find little real data behind their claims. Instead, they sometimes establish entire organizations to create a false narrative where no real debate exists.
Consider the past claims that smoking didn’t lead to cancer or that fossil fuels were harmless. In each case, only a few questionable studies supported those views, while a wealth of solid data pointed in the opposite direction. Money often drives these decisions, revealing a deep connection between political power and financial interests.
Recent examples in Iowa highlight this issue. For instance, proposed changes to Iowa’s science education standards almost misled the public about what educators actually approved. They aim to remove mentions of human-caused climate change, despite overwhelming evidence. If Republicans truly valued scientific knowledge, why disregard such critical findings? They also want to downplay biological evolution, revealing a troubling intention to distort scientific facts to fit certain worldviews. Such actions leave future generations unprepared and less competitive in an evolving job market.
Another concerning development is the push for bills that promote misleading information about fetal development in schools. These bills exempt curricula from scrutiny by scientific organizations, sidelining experts in favor of ideological rhetoric. If politicians genuinely cared about science, wouldn’t they involve qualified scientists instead?
The state’s water quality is another serious concern. High nitrate levels in Iowa’s water threaten public health and our agricultural future. Despite warnings from the scientific community, the Republican Party has hampered data collection and put lobbyists in charge of environmental issues instead of scientists. This approach ignores the real damage that practices like large-scale animal farming inflict on our environment.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has even had to step in, threatening to label Iowa’s waterways as impaired. Ignoring well-documented problems won’t make them disappear.
Science and the scientific approach have brought us progress and a higher quality of life. When a major political party opposes scientific methods, we all face negative consequences. This impacts everything—from our water quality to education and infrastructure. Science helps predict outcomes and improve our lives.
Insurance companies make decisions based on scientific data, not mere speculation. Coaches use scientific methods to enhance performance, not just tales of hard work. When special interests overshadow scientific understanding, we all lose.
Here in Iowa, the Republican party appears to follow a national trend, justifying inaction on vital issues and pushing back against scientific facts. This approach can be dangerous, as ignoring scientific evidence can have harmful effects on health, safety, and progress for everyone. If they continue to turn their backs on science, they also turn away from sound governance.
The issues surrounding science in politics should concern us all. If one party dismisses science, it impacts everyone, and we must all take notice.
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Commentary,Education,Environment,Science,Water Quality
