"Religious people tend to be smarter"

[vorlon13]

If a particular schism has a preponderance of <70 IQs running the show, I'd allow for tax exempt status on the grounds it's a care facility for the disabled instead of objecting to a religious exemption.

Fuck, that means the GODDAM Mormons . . .

[abaris]

There are smart people on either side and there are idiots on either side.

Rule of thumb, those bawling the loudest, usually aren't the sharpest tools in the shed. Again, on either side.

[SteelCurtain]

I don't think there's really a statistically significant difference.

I do think that non-believers tend to think differently, and might be more apt to use their intelligence in academia or science, hence the preponderance of "nones" in the intelligensia.

[robvalue]

Maybe they mean smarter dressed?

They do make an effort when they go to church. I'm just sitting around in my pants most of the time.

[Salacious B. Crumb]

I'll say first off that there are some insanely intelligent theists out there, but I doubt what you're saying is true as far as the overall population goes.

However, how I honestly feel overall, is that theists aren't fully in reality. They talk to themselves in their minds while thinking they're talking to an invisible friend in the sky. They think this invisible deity is actually HELPING THEM in this reality! To be honest, I feel that is incredible stupid. I used to do this, and consider myself incredibly stupid for doing it, but many people who have never questioned their beliefs and are so immersed in their beliefs and hear no other side to the story can grow up believing it, and can be considered intelligent people. Although, I base intelligence off of common sense more so, so I think most theists are a bit out there, to say the least. I think almost anyone can pick up books and read them, and gain vast amounts of knowledge, but when it comes to intelligence, I like to think its the person's critical thinking skills, their skepticism, street smarts, and common sense more than their book-smarts. That's just my opinion. I think most of the theists on here that have been spoon-fed logic and facts that contradict their own fairy tale land, that they have created in their minds, are stupid on many levels. They can't comprehend the most simple shit placed right in front of them. It's either stupid, or an immense amount of close-mindedness, stubbornness, and so on (but there's definitely some level of stupid in there if they're an adult without a true mental handicap).

[abaris]

I do think that non-believers tend to think differently, and might be more apt to use their intelligence in academia or science, hence the preponderance of "nones" in the intelligensia.

I guess it depends on the field in question. There are quite a few disciplines a theist can do just as well as a none. It only gets tricky when the actual science interfers with the belief.

[surreptitious57]

Whether someone is a theist or an atheist says absolutely nothing about their level of intelligence. Most sceptics and
freethinkers might be atheist. However not all atheists are sceptics or freethinkers. Being one does not automatically
imply superior cognitive ability anyway. I also avoid comparing my self to others who ever they may be. For one can
only really compare oneself to oneself. I am way more interested in increasing my own level of intelligence in and of
itself without having any ulterior motive to do so other than for its own benefit. I have above average I Q but I have
no letters after my name and I am no genius and I never went to university and I am not middle class. But use what
ever I can to the best of my ability so I do not worry about the ability of others. And I think it better to surround one
self with those more intelligent than you as you will inevitably learn more. Since becoming atheist my under standing
of science has increased significantly. But as I said I am nothing special. Although knowledge acquisition is my major
goal in life as I do not have a family to support or a job to do. And so have to find some thing else to give it meaning

[robvalue]

Are there are theists who claim to be sceptics? I imagine there must be. I suppose no one gets to just say who is and isn't a sceptic, but it seems like a contradiction.

[Salacious B. Crumb]

Are there are theists who claim to be sceptics? I imagine there must be. I suppose no one gets to just say who is and isn't a sceptic, but it seems like a contradiction.

I'm sure there's some that say they are, but I think we both know that that can't be true.

Maybe there are christians that are skeptical of Shiva and Apollo, but that's about as far as it goes.

To actually call themselves skeptics, would be a bit of a stretch, to say the least.

[Shining_Finger]

Are there are theists who claim to be sceptics? I imagine there must be. I suppose no one gets to just say who is and isn't a sceptic, but it seems like a contradiction.

Ben Carson: "I am a Global Warming Skeptic." 
Theism also rejects all other faiths and all other viewpoints, so I suppose this kind of Skepticism, e.g. Denial, is much more natural for Theists. 

Also, OP makes it sound like Theists would be great Hitmen/Hitwomen. 
Also great at exploiting laws and should have good Washington Skills, similar to what James Taggert had in Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged.