It would seem so, John Derbyshire being a case in point.
The only place I read Derbyshire is in the pages of National Review Magazine — the print publication that I have been reading for decades by now. He has had a regular feature in those pages for years, and I have looked forward to reading him every issue.
Over time, it seems to me that he had grown progressively darker in basic outlook. Possibly this was the result of an increasing conviction that science has all the answers to every question that human beings can raise about the basic structure and meaning of the Universe (i.e. the Creation).
Which, to me, signifies that he denies the particularly human dimension/expression of Life altogether. Man is God's creature, made in His image or reflection: i.e., endowed with reason and free will.
It seems to me (strangely) that Derbyshire is so convinced by the limitless efficacy of scientific technique that he is willing to surrender his credentials as a Child of God, in order to become the "next evolution" of the human species — that is, the machine model of humanity.... Evolution unto robots....
Looks like a "non-starter" proposition to me.
But if so, no wonder Derbyshire is so sad, dejected, so miserable....
His humanity has been stripped away from him because "science" doesn't know how to "measure" it. In so many words, what makes Derbyshire uniquely himself is the very thing he denies in principle, since he denies the God Who underwrites and maintains everything that exists, from Alpha to Omega.
My heart goes out to him, he is in my prayers. I'll miss him at NR. But I don't doubt in the least that NR can adduce solid reasons in support of their decision to send him away.
I only hope and pray that the Holy Spirit of God will rescue him from himself before it is too late.
JMHO FWIW
Thank you dearest sister in Christ for writing! May God's blessings be with you and all your dear ones!