Are we smarter than average?

[Excited Penguin]

Think about it. Think about the people on this forum. Think about every atheist you've met in your life. How often is it that you've met one who couldn't be described as especially intelligent, in a certain hard to describe way? It's like a certain innocence is lacking there, a certain something that makes skeptics of all stripes very similar in their mindset as well as uniformly intelligent at some level.

Am I totally off base here? To be noted, this is clearly about a generalization, and maybe even a budding stereotype. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the matter, though. What do you think about atheists as people?  I think it's time we talked about that, it might lead to some interesting conversations.

Worldwide I'd say yes.

Look at the top 30 countries with high percentages of an atheist population then look at the most religious countries.

Then compare technological accomplishments, education, sexual equality, equality of sexuality, economy and so on and so on.  

On a more local level though I'd say no.  Generally I wouldn't judge any individual, or even small population of religious people to be less or more intelligent.

I'd judge them, I have no problem doing that.

Anyway, what's the difference between sexual equality and equality of sexuality, mind you?

[Jesster]

Think about it. Think about the people on this forum. Think about every atheist you've met in your life. How often is it that you've met one who couldn't be described as especially intelligent, in a certain hard to describe way? It's like a certain innocence is lacking there, a certain something that makes skeptics of all stripes very similar in their mindset as well as uniformly intelligent at some level.

Am I totally off base here? To be noted, this is clearly about a generalization, and maybe even a budding stereotype. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the matter, though. What do you think about atheists as people?  I think it's time we talked about that, it might lead to some interesting conversations.

Worldwide I'd say yes.

Look at the top 30 countries with high percentages of an atheist population then look at the most religious countries.

Then compare technological accomplishments, education, sexual equality, equality of sexuality, economy and so on and so on.  

On a more local level though I'd say no.  Generally I wouldn't judge any individual, or even small population of religious people to be less or more intelligent.

Oh, if we're talking to access to education and scientific accomplishments, I'd absolutely agree with you on a global scale. I just thought we were simply talking about intelligence. I could definitely see how a surge in atheism would be a major bonus to the prosperity of humanity.

[paulpablo]

Worldwide I'd say yes.

Look at the top 30 countries with high percentages of an atheist population then look at the most religious countries.

Then compare technological accomplishments, education, sexual equality, equality of sexuality, economy and so on and so on.  

On a more local level though I'd say no.  Generally I wouldn't judge any individual, or even small population of religious people to be less or more intelligent.

I'd judge them, I have no problem doing that.

Anyway, what's the difference between sexual equality and equality of sexuality, mind you?

the difference between equality of the sexes, men and women.  And equality of people of different a different sexuality, for example homosexual, straight, bi sexual and so on.

[The Grand Nudger]

Low blow EP, just because my boys a quantum theist....... 

[paulpablo]

Worldwide I'd say yes.

Look at the top 30 countries with high percentages of an atheist population then look at the most religious countries.

Then compare technological accomplishments, education, sexual equality, equality of sexuality, economy and so on and so on.  

On a more local level though I'd say no.  Generally I wouldn't judge any individual, or even small population of religious people to be less or more intelligent.

Oh, if we're talking to access to education and scientific accomplishments, I'd absolutely agree with you on a global scale. I just thought we were simply talking about intelligence. I could definitely see how a surge in atheism would be a major bonus to the prosperity of humanity.

I think the ability to acquire and apply knowledge is enhanced by education and things such as improving technology, philosophy, empathy and so on are good examples of demonstrations of intelligence.

[Excited Penguin]

I'd judge them, I have no problem doing that.

Anyway, what's the difference between sexual equality and equality of sexuality, mind you?

the difference between equality of the sexes, men and women.  And equality of people of different a different sexuality, for example homosexual, straight, bi sexual and so on.

Lol, I'm really, really dumb. Yes, clearly. I'm skipping sleep second night in a row(insomnia), you see. Expect a few dumb posts from me every now and then.

[Jenny A]

Most atheists I know got there through skeptical thought. That's not necessarily a sign of intelligence. Rationalization often requires intelligence. No doubt Descartes was intelligent. So was Newton. Both were Christian. But, and here's was interests me, when they applied skeptical thought they made advances. When they attempted to explain beliefs in god they didn't. Methods matter.

[Silver]

Most atheists I know got there through skeptical thought.

Precisely.

[bennyboy]

What's this "we" shit?

Yeah, we, us atheists, you're in the wrong section of the forum.

I dunno about the general atheist population, but I think we have some pretty big brains in these here forums.  Every once in a while someone posts a cat meme just to keep things normalized, though.  Talk about your "soft atheists."

[GrandizerII]

In terms of traditional IQ, if you can read and write, and you know how to solve basic problems with ease, and such, then you're most likely above average in intelligence anyway (if we're using the general population for the norms).

Maybe you're referring to the top 1-2%?