Neither academics nor priests have significant authority today. Propagandists have. This isn't a fight between science and religion. It is a fight of politics.

Neither academics nor priests have significant authority today. Propagandists have. This isn't a fight between science and religion. It is a fight of politics. While religion formerly had an influence, it is almost irrelevant today. And even in the past piety was abused for political purposes. Russia is trying to erase Ukraine because it feared it would succumb to western influence. China is trying to erase Uyghurs because they believe they pose a separatist or terrorist threat. This is not about belief or misinformation, these are calculated political goals.