Two studies of Atheism and Theism.

[Mystic]

To the OP, I think the studies are on to something, and the diifference would be even more striking if there was nuance between, say, rational skeptics and fundamentalists; and very small between Episcopelians and Raellians (could even swing the other way).

I think it makes a difference what kind of theist and what kind of atheist we're talking about.

Well it's general. The thing is also Atheists on average have a higher IQ then Theists. This may also play a role in that they like to rely on analysis (use of intelligence) instead of instinct (intuition). They like to see arguments, proof, etc...and see if they stand to scrutiny.

Religious people might tend to rely on their art type sense towards religion and go by their "gut instinct".

Only thing is, we know for certain it doesn't tend to guide to the true religion since most religions are false even according to theists.

So the Theistic method definitely has it flaws.

Whether the Atheistic method has flaws or not, is debatable. From the perspective that there is no God or that he is not knowable, there is no problem.

From the perspective that there is God and that he is knowable, then perhaps there is.

I would also like to see a study particularly on Deists. I want to see their IQ level compared to Atheists or how much they rely on analysis vs intuition etc...

[Mister Agenda]

I can't be arsed to cite it, but I recall reading that the difference in IQs between theists and atheists turns out to be very specific if it you break it down: atheists tend to be better at estimating.

[Mystic]

I can't be arsed to cite it, but I recall reading that the difference in IQs between theists and atheists turns out to be very specific if it you break it down: atheists tend to be better at estimating.

Estimating in what sense? I'm a little confused. Like numbers only? Or estimating correct things vs incorrect things?

[Neo-Scholastic]

Let's not confuse intelligence with wisdom. Some smart people do really stupid things.

[Mystic]

Let's not confuse intelligence with wisdom. Some smart people do really stupid things.

That is true. But just statistically we know most Theists lack a certain wisdom, in that they follow a false religion without justification. This is true even if Christianity is true. Atheists would have advantage in wisdom already, in that they don't follow a false religion and base their life on it. Now from perspective that God is knowable directly (through intuition), perhaps there is a flaw in their method. But definitely Atheism has some wisdom in it, by definition and Theists have some foolishness (ie. everyone with the wrong religion is being foolish, even if we grant one religion as true).

[Tonus]

Statistically? We have studies that show this?

Consider me... skeptical.

[Mystic]

Statistically? We have studies that show this?

Consider me... skeptical.

Well I'm saying they lack a certain wisdom, which is "not following wrong religions" - only the right religion theists can possibly be not avoiding this wisdom.

Wisdom is not intelligence.

I can say, "it's wise to not follow a false religion". Theists and Atheists will both agree upon that.

Atheists don't follow a false religion (hence have a wisdom) while most theists do follow a false religion (lack a wisdom).

So I'm saying that they already have a strength in wisdom, it doesn't necessarily mean over all they are wiser, but that they do have a certain wisdom most Theists lack.

[Gilgamesh]

I don't notice either of those things being more prevalent in atheists anymore than I do in theists. I think most atheists could have just as well been theists but by some chance, landed on the other side of the fence on that idea. Atheists still apply emotional pseudo-reasoning and they still hate being wrong.

[Angrboda]

I wonder what effect belief has on creativity and creativity on belief. It would be intersting, since not all of life is logic. Half our brain is devoted to intuition.

This make believe figure has been brought to you by the Jstrodel School of Made Up Statistics.

[Neo-Scholastic]

MysticKnight, in my own life at least, I don't see anything to suggest that atheists are any wiser, overall, than believers. And even if the particular instance of belief in God, I do not see how a default atheism is any wiser than unquestioned faith. Even if god were a convenient fiction that belief could still be more useful in guiding rational thought than not relying upon it. For example, we use the imaginary numbers in mathematics all the time. There is no square root of -1, but certain equations would be impossible to solve without it.