Are Atheists Smarter Than Those Who Believe in God?

General religion and metaphysics topics

Moderator: Super Moderators

User avatar
Riddick
Pirate
Posts: 15705
Joined: 11-01-2002 03:00 AM
Location: Heartland USA
Contact:

Are Atheists Smarter Than Those Who Believe in God?

Post by Riddick » 08-18-2013 04:33 PM

First systematic meta-analysis of its kind proposes reasons for the negative correlation
Link

User avatar
kbot
Pirate
Posts: 7302
Joined: 03-12-2008 05:44 AM

Post by kbot » 08-18-2013 07:18 PM

From the article:

"The three psychologists have defined intelligence as the “ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex ideas, learn quickly, and learn from experience.” In short this is analytic intelligence, not the newly identified forms of creative and emotional intelligence, which are still subjects of dispute. In the various studies being examined, analytic intelligence has been measured in many different ways, including GPA (grade point average), UEE (university entrance exams), Mensa membership, and Intelligence Quotient (IQ) tests, among others.

Religiosity is defined as involvement in some (or all) facets of religion, which includes belief in the supernatural, offering gifts to this supernatural, and performing rituals affirming their beliefs. Other signs of religiosity were measured using surveys, church attendance, and membership in religious organizations."

Given these definitions, aren't the terms "intelligence" and "religiosity", therefore, exclusionary by nature and the study an attempt to compare apples and oranges?

Can't one draw the conclusion that, while one may be "smart", that they are deficient in "faith"?

User avatar
Diogenes
Pirate
Posts: 5784
Joined: 07-14-2011 03:01 PM

Post by Diogenes » 08-18-2013 07:41 PM

It would not surprise me to know they may have higher IQ's than those with faith.

My experience with folks with exceptionally high IQ's is that because they are frequently the smartest folks in the room as they have higher IQ's, they think they know everything and they don't.

I have seen people with high IQ's drive a business right in to the ground because assuming they know everything ( and they don't) they refuse to listen to others with a higher level of knowledge (not necessarily a higher IQ) in a particular area relevant and essential to the running of the business and that usually involves management and personnel.

Faith I believe is also an affair of the heart and if it doesn't "pencil" for some folks they just can't buy in to it because obviously faith requires one to "accept" despite perhaps a lack of a set of "blatant" tangible facts.

I hope I am making sense - but I may not

:( :D
A man's character is his fate

User avatar
Raggedyann
Pirate
Posts: 5250
Joined: 08-22-2006 04:50 PM

Post by Raggedyann » 08-18-2013 07:46 PM

Geez, I was flattered after reading the article but I think I'll go hide now. :hiding: :D

I don't know if atheists have a higher intelligence or if it's as simple as us just resenting unfounded beliefs that inspire people to dictate to other people how they should live their lives.

I'll listen to life advice from anybody but not if it's based on a book that's full of violence, inequality towards 50% of the population of the entire earth, and assorted fairy tales that were thrown in by the author/authors, to keep the attention of the reader.

Independence is the operative word. I still believe in socialism for economic reasons though. :D
Last edited by Raggedyann on 08-18-2013 08:42 PM, edited 1 time in total.
“For evil to flourish, it only requires good men to do nothing.” Simon Wiesenthal

HB3
Moderator
Posts: 11919
Joined: 11-02-2000 03:00 AM

Post by HB3 » 08-18-2013 09:06 PM

Oh, so you believe in the biggest fairy tale of them all...'equality.'

I guess most 'atheists' do too, who, in their zeal to remain pure, engage in ideological witch hunts inseparable from their medieval counterparts in all important respects.

I'll take an intelligent Chrisitan over an average atheist any day.

User avatar
Raggedyann
Pirate
Posts: 5250
Joined: 08-22-2006 04:50 PM

Post by Raggedyann » 08-18-2013 09:33 PM

HB3 wrote: who, in their zeal to remain pure, engage in ideological witch hunts inseparable from their medieval counterparts in all important respects.

Which means? :huhsmile:

Oh never mind. Not terribly interested in your POV.
“For evil to flourish, it only requires good men to do nothing.” Simon Wiesenthal

User avatar
Doka
Pirate
Posts: 7967
Joined: 09-02-2009 08:15 PM

Post by Doka » 08-18-2013 11:11 PM

When being religious as compared to being atheist is just turned into a pissing match of who is more superior it is just children at play. It goes no where very fast.

Ra, I am confused, "socialism" and "independence" are about on as opposite poles as you can get. I don't believe you will find the word "independence" in any socialist doctrine. Socialism is like the "Borg, we will assimilate you." Independence and free thought are highly frowned upon.
KARMA RULES

Those Who Can Make You Believe Absurdities, Can Make You Commit Atrocities': Voltaire

User avatar
Raggedyann
Pirate
Posts: 5250
Joined: 08-22-2006 04:50 PM

Post by Raggedyann » 08-19-2013 12:28 AM

Doka wrote: When being religious as compared to being atheist is just turned into a pissing match of who is more superior it is just children at play. It goes no where very fast.

Ra, I am confused, "socialism" and "independence" are about on as opposite poles as you can get. I don't believe you will find the word "independence" in any socialist doctrine. Socialism is like the "Borg, we will assimilate you." Independence and free thought are highly frowned upon.

Modern day socialists are independent of magical Gods and superstition as they play no role in the destiny of mankind, just as they have played no role in the history of mankind, other than the creation and support of hierarchies. The object of the socialist religion is in of itself "mankind".
“For evil to flourish, it only requires good men to do nothing.” Simon Wiesenthal

HB3
Moderator
Posts: 11919
Joined: 11-02-2000 03:00 AM

Post by HB3 » 08-19-2013 01:01 AM

Yeah, exactly. The notion of "man engineering mankind" has been the source of every holocaust you'd care to name, all in the service of remaking reality according to an ideological vision.

HB3
Moderator
Posts: 11919
Joined: 11-02-2000 03:00 AM

Post by HB3 » 08-19-2013 01:19 AM

A good example of the religious beliefs of modern atheists is to be found in the recent experiences of Richard Dawkins as he's gotten in hot water with "proper thinking" British atheists. Dawkins crossed the line into anti-egalitarianism by daring to notice certain counter-revolutionary facts, and so has been outed as a blasphemer. It's basically indistinguishable from the story atheists love about Galileo getting in trouble, but now the atheists have taken the place of the repressive church.

Really, Raggedyann, you should do some reading on actual totalitarian societies, so you can see where all this leads.

User avatar
Raggedyann
Pirate
Posts: 5250
Joined: 08-22-2006 04:50 PM

Post by Raggedyann » 08-19-2013 01:31 AM

HB3 wrote: Yeah, exactly. The notion of "man engineering mankind" has been the source of every holocaust you'd care to name, all in the service of remaking reality according to an ideological vision.

And capitalism has got us where? All you have to do is read the posts here on this forum to see just how happy everybody is with the current capitalistic situation. LOL.
“For evil to flourish, it only requires good men to do nothing.” Simon Wiesenthal

User avatar
Doka
Pirate
Posts: 7967
Joined: 09-02-2009 08:15 PM

Post by Doka » 08-19-2013 07:43 AM

Ra
If you are referring to the United States, in my opinion, we are no longer a "Capitalist" society. Our Constitution is in shreds. Working and achieving, being self sufficient is frowned upon and put down and robbed. The Power has pretty well been placed into the government and corporations(very few I, might add) hands. Ask those still working how they feel about it, as those on this board have stated over and over again. I have reached a stage where my self sufficiency is in danger. The possibility of going into the "system" looms heavily on my heart. But, that being said, we all do what we need to do. "Robin Hood" is said to have robbed the rich and give to the poor. But he was still a thief. :(
Last edited by Doka on 08-19-2013 07:48 AM, edited 1 time in total.
KARMA RULES

Those Who Can Make You Believe Absurdities, Can Make You Commit Atrocities': Voltaire

HB3
Moderator
Posts: 11919
Joined: 11-02-2000 03:00 AM

Post by HB3 » 08-19-2013 11:31 AM

Indeed. What "capitalistic situation"? It's a tu quoque argument to change the subject.

HB3
Moderator
Posts: 11919
Joined: 11-02-2000 03:00 AM

Post by HB3 » 08-19-2013 12:09 PM

Anyway....determining "belief" via questionnaire isn't so easy, is it?

User avatar
Diogenes
Pirate
Posts: 5784
Joined: 07-14-2011 03:01 PM

Post by Diogenes » 08-19-2013 01:10 PM

Raggedyann wrote: And capitalism has got us where? All you have to do is read the posts here on this forum to see just how happy everybody is with the current capitalistic situation. LOL.


RA,

Don't confuse Capitalism with Crony Capitalism - birds of a different feather.

IN fact Atlas Shrugged is all about Crong Capitalism.
A man's character is his fate

Post Reply

Return to “Religion/Metaphysics”