As an outsider who is fond of a number of thoughtful Christians and find some Christian theology interesting I have an opinion about why evangelicals are more heavily represented in a number of regrettable trends. But they are not the sole reason for our problems. The general population seems more backward than in other first world countries. Brazil might be our only peer when it comes to mishandling the pandemic.
My suggestion is that there is too great an educational disparity between church leaders and the led. For people to believe fantastical things in simplistic ways sets them up to mishandle information and decisions in other areas as well. Not all theological positions are anti-intellectual. But those held by the masses of the led seem to be far too often. Perhaps religious beliefs which are not well understood are actually dangerous? Hard to say what the solution would be but I get the feeling that many with a more subtle grasp avoid saying things which could challenge someone with more simplistic beliefs, perhaps motivated to keep as many in the tent as possible?
But good luck in addressing these problems. I think this site represents an attempt to raise theological capacity to better accommodate a more thorough grasp of the world.