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Why Distrust is Killing Us: Dr. Francis Collins’ Powerful Call to Action


Why Distrust is Killing Us: Dr. Francis Collins’ Powerful Call to Action


When Dr. Francis Collins speaks, his words carry a weight few can match. As a physician, scientist and the former director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), he’s navigated some of the most complex public health crises of our time. Yet, it’s his ability to balance science and faith that makes him uniquely compelling—especially to those who often feel caught in a cultural crossfire of skepticism and belief.

Dr. Collins’ latest book, The Road to Wisdom, tackles the challenges of our polarized society, aiming to rebuild trust and bridge the divide between science and faith. In an exclusive conversation, he shared insights into how we’ve lost our way, why trust is vital and what it means to chart a path toward collective healing.

The Problem with Truth in 2025

Collins doesn’t mince words when discussing our society’s fraught relationship with truth.

“If people start to deny objective facts or accept alternative ones as if they’re equal, things quickly spiral,” he said. “Communities of faith should be uniquely equipped to stand against this deterioration. Yet, many have been drawn into the same divisive battles.”

As Collins explained, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed just how dangerous our cultural divisions can be.

“COVID should have been a rallying point. A common enemy—the virus—should’ve brought us together,” he said. Instead, public health measures became flashpoints for political debate. Masking, vaccines and school closures weren’t just policy issues; they became symbols of tribal identity.

The consequences were devastating. Between June 2021 and March 2022, when vaccines were widely available, over 234,000 Americans died due to vaccine hesitancy, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

“This wasn’t just about rhetoric,” Collins said. “It took lives.”

How Did We Get Here?

For Collins, today’s polarization has deep roots.

“People often think this division is recent, but it’s been building for decades,” he explained. Political partisanship took hold in the 1960s and 70s, escalated during the 1990s, and reached new heights in the past ten years.

“People have retreated into tribal alliances, stopped talking to others and started labeling those who disagree as evil,” Collins said.

Even science, traditionally seen as apolitical, has become a battleground.

“It’s almost as if the Democrats are seen as the party of science, so the Republicans feel compelled to question it.”

This distrust isn’t limited to political ideologies. It’s crept into how Americans view institutions, including churches.

“Trust is the foundation of progress,” Collins said. “Without it, we’re lost.”

Rebuilding Bridges

So, how do we rebuild trust—in science, in institutions and in each other? For Collins, the answer starts with individuals.

“We have to stop seeing those who disagree with us as enemies,” he said.

Instead, Collins advocates for building bridges through patient dialogue. Groups like Braver Angels, which facilitate conversations between people with opposing views, offer a model.

“I’ve learned so much from sitting down with people I deeply disagree with,” he said. “It’s not about changing their minds; it’s about understanding their perspective.”

Collins also emphasized the need for discernment in evaluating information.

“We all need to filter what we hear,” he said. “Is this source credible? Are they competent? Do they show humility?”

Blindly trusting someone simply because they’re part of “our tribe,” he warned, is just as dangerous as rejecting them outright.

Faith and Science: A Powerful Union

One of the most compelling aspects of Collins’ journey is his dual commitment to science and faith.

“I didn’t grow up religious,” he shared. “I came to faith as a medical student, wrestling with life’s big questions—why is there suffering? Why am I here? Science couldn’t answer those questions, but faith could.”

Rather than seeing science and faith as opposing forces, Collins views them as complementary.

“Science is about exploring creation. When I discover something new, it’s like catching a glimpse of God’s mind,” he said. “It’s an act of worship.”

This perspective led him to found BioLogos, an organization dedicated to reconciling science and faith.

“We’ve helped millions see that evolution and a belief in God aren’t mutually exclusive,” he said.

A Call to Action

Collins believes that change is possible but requires a shift in mindset.

“We’re part of the problem when we refuse to engage with others or accept only the information that fits our preconceptions,” he said. “Healing begins with humility and a willingness to listen.”

For young Christians navigating a polarized world, he emphasized the importance of grassroots efforts to build unity.

“We need to find the courage to sit down with people who see the world differently,” he said. “Not to debate or convince, but to understand. That’s how trust is rebuilt.”

The path forward won’t be easy, but Collins is optimistic.

“We have incredible tools at our disposal and a deep desire for connection,” he said. “By focusing on relationships instead of divisions, we can begin to create the kind of world we all want to live in.”

© 2023 RELEVANT Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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