Intelligent People Less Likely to Believe in a 'GOD(s)'

[Jarrid]

According to a recent study, it brings forth the question: do people with a higher IQ or intelligence period not believe in 'GOD(s)'?

Here is the article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2111174/Intelligent-people-%27less-likely-to-believe-in-God%27.html

Honestly, I agree on some levels and on others, I really do not. I know a lot of very intelligent people that are extremely gifted in many fields that believe in a 'GOD(s)' (I really hate that word) or some other kind of belief due to religion. I also have friends with very high IQs that absolutely do not believe in 'GOD(s)' at all or any other form of religion. I think there are a lot of factors involved, and I want to say probably the logical understanding behind something like that has a major role in a person that does not believe in a higher power(s).

I believe how a person was raised, and what they were taught in school has a lot of impact on what a person thinks about religion or 'GOD(s)'. Our generation is currently in the info-tech age where any kind of information on any subject is available with no problem. If I want to learn about how to make a car engine, I can find a site. If I want to read an essay on why Christianity is complete bullshit, I can easily find something like that. I think with the past generations, information was not readily available to people like it is now (obviously). I will take my grandparents for example. Both are 70 or so years old. They grew up in an extremely small town called Bismark, Arkansas, and were both absolutely taught nothing like what people teach these days in public schools. I do not want to call them both stupid, it is just they were not exposed or even wanted to learn material I know and most of us know that post here. Is it their choice not to learn anymore? Yes, I believe it is. In addition though, are they happy with what they believe? Yes, they are.

However, there are several other reasons and examples.

What is your intake?

[Jun]

Der, only dum peepolls believe in god.

[Jarrid]

I believe in the most part that is a true statement. Not because they are dumb but because of their ignorance. That especially goes for the common man for today as well as the man of the past.

[Raidou]

I tell you, this article and research is the work of the Satan. You gotta believe that. [pray]

[Jarrid]

Fear is the mind killer.

(<3 Rez & Adam Freeland)

[Raidou]

You know I was not serious when I said that right?

[Liam McDohl]

First, I like this from the comments:

"Thank heavens(!) then that I have a miserly IQ.
I would rather have a low IQ than be without the hope there is in my God and Saviour."

Good for you! For my part I wouldn't want to live in a world where there wasn't a diamond the size of a volkswagen buried in my garden... Theres no objective evidence to suggest it's there, but it makes me feel soooo good to _believe_ that it's there....


Anyway. I think a lot of it is to do with how willing people are to question things. For example, scientists as a profession have to question what's going on and not just accept things. They're also very likely to fulfill the criteria for getting a high IQ score (mathetmatical aptitude, good at using the language, problem-solving skills, etc.) The label of "intelligence" tends to imply (even when intelligence is determined by how quickly you can perform mental arithmetic) that anyone who's not intelligent is either inbred or has the mental capacity of a plank of wood.

[Jarrid]

You know I was not serious when I said that right?

Yeah, I know.

[moogle]

Obviously there is a correlation, but that doesn't mean it's fair to say all religious people are stupid or that all atheists are smart. It would be presumptuous to assume there was a strong *causal* relationship between religious beliefs and intelligence. It would be even more presumptuous to assume the same with simply a belief in a god.

And while it may be counter-productive to call believers stupid, the beliefs people hold do say something for their intelligence. All too often the religious explanation is a substitute for a natural explanation. It's also a substitute for critical thought. Depending on how you gauge intelligence, you can be closed-minded as well as intelligent.

I thought this was interesting:
"Linking religious belief and intelligence in this way could reflect a dangerous trend, developing a simplistic characterisation of religion as primitive, which - while we are trying to deal with very complex issues of religious and cultural pluralism - is perhaps not the most helpful response," he said.
This quote reminds me of an interesting scenario. If scientists were to discover that people of different races had different levels of intellegence (which has been shown NOT to be the case), would we be better off not knowing? It's a thought-provoking question.

Now the difference here, of course, is that you have a say as far as what you believe. It's possible to change your views. And to say one cannot question another's belief system because it would hurt pluralism is asinine. That is not how we conduct ourselves when debating political views.

I know questioning someone's intelligence is not necessarily the same thing as questioning their beliefs, but saying that we should just lay off the entire issue because it might hurt someone's feelings is a bit naive.

[Atlas]

I've got no fancy study or any real combative reply, but I do believe in God; and some may think me stupid for doing so(or just based on the fact that you must be less intelligent to believe in God), but it does kind of hurt to know a lot of you think that.

I will try really hard not to take any of it personally, though. It seems like a very thought provoking idea that I'm sure will spark a lot of conversation.

[Less Than Liz]

I believe how a person was raised, and what they were taught in school has a lot of impact on what a person thinks about religion or 'GOD(s)'.
Every Atheist or Agnostic that I know went to Catholic school. Granted, most people I know went to Catholic school, but I think people seriously overestimate the effect of attending a religious school.

[Mark]

For the Love of Odin, how dare these blasphemer's speak of non-sense....


...oh wait, I don't either...guess im a blasphemer. :/

[moogle]

Every Atheist or Agnostic that I know went to Catholic school. Granted, most people I know went to Catholic school, but I think people seriously overestimate the effect of attending a religious school.
The vast, VAST majority of people do not change their religion they from that which they were brought up in. But, since atheists and agnostics are in such a small minority in the first place, of course you're more likely to meet an atheist who grew up in a religious family.

And please don't capitalize "atheist" and "agnostic." Neither is an actual belief system (though, agnosticism may be, depending how you define it). Generally, neither needs to nor should be capitalized.

[Less Than Liz]

Force of habit for capitalization.

Anyways, I was noting the irony that most of those sorts of folks I know went to Catholic school. On the other hand, my friends who are Catholic and went to public school pretty much stick with. It's not scientific, just an anecdotal observation.

[moogle]

It's not scientific, just an anecdotal observation.
How ironic. (not really)

[Liam McDohl]

I've got no fancy study or any real combative reply, but I do believe in God; and some may think me stupid for doing so(or just based on the fact that you must be less intelligent to believe in God), but it does kind of hurt to know a lot of you think that.

I will try really hard not to take any of it personally, though. It seems like a very thought provoking idea that I'm sure will spark a lot of conversation.

I don't assume believers are stupid. Misguided and sometimes offensive, but not stupid just because they believe. It's when I see things like the creationism debacle, or the Pope's apparent efforts to further STIs across africa, or the Mormon trying to convert me in the street without realising I'm an abomination unto the lord, etcetera. that I would be inclined to think those involved stupid. OK, maybe that last one was more funny.

[Indigo]

The more "intelligent" you are the more stubborn and self confident you get, which leads to thinking you are ?too good for church?. It?s not a matter of intelligence, it?s a matter of pride.

[freeflow^]

I think that study is pretty correlational. I don't believe (like you) that IQ directly relates to someone's religious views, or lack of. I believe it has to do with the environment that you grew up in. I also believe that humans aren't intelligent enough to truly figure out their existence logically.

However, believing in god helps many people get through problems in their lives, like addiction or other social problems, and it helps them follow a path that they believe is righteous. I couldn't tell them that they're wrong for believing in their god(s) because the question of right and wrong is blurred. If it helps them cope with problems, and makes them a more moral person, then I'm all for it.

[moogle]

The more "intelligent" you are the more stubborn and self confident you get, which leads to thinking you are “too good for church”. It’s not a matter of intelligence, it’s a matter of pride.
Yes, if you measure intelligence by pride. Too bad that's not how it works.

It actually pains me to think you actually believe this. That intelligence is some kind of destructive, corrupting force. In fact, the process of learning, gaining knowledge, is one of the most humbling experiences one can go though. Being exposed to new and different ideas is how we develop as human beings. "Intellectual" has been turned into a dirty word by the same people that proclaim their beliefs to be absolute.

[Data]

I think it has more to do with the socio-economic status than actual intelligence. It just so happens intelligent people tend to make more money. Lower income folks may need to turn to a God for happiness and faith in the future.

[Less Than Liz]

How ironic. (not really)
What?

[moogle]

What?
It was a pitiful attempt at humor. Never mind.

[Atlas]

I don't assume believers are stupid. Misguided and sometimes offensive, but not stupid just because they believe. It's when I see things like the creationism debacle, or the Pope's apparent efforts to further STIs across africa, or the Mormon trying to convert me in the street without realising I'm an abomination unto the lord, etcetera. that I would be inclined to think those involved stupid. OK, maybe that last one was more funny.

Well, Liam, trust me... if we knew each other personally, we'd probably be very good friends. I love God, but I also love people. I find people fascinating, and that I think is one of my strongest gifts. Honestly, I do believe in evangalism and all of that, and have even done it, but most of the time the only way I can even touch the tip of the iceberg is by being somebody's friend. And I don't mean, "hey, let's hangout so I can subtly tell you that you suck and that you should come to church." No, I mean an actual friend who actually cares and who actually doesn't have an agenda.