Atheists, smarter than theists?

[Esquilax]

I mean its had a very positive effect on my life. Regardless of your views on the matter, that is a fact. And its possible to cite good quality Evidence that programs which are based around the premise of a "higher power" are effective in the treatment of substance abuse... So there may be times when the "stupid fucking idea" may be helpful (from an outcomes point of view.)

Lets say you enjoy stamp collecting. Now I would describe that as a tedious waste of time, which it would be were I to do it. But that's only true of the idea of ME stamp collecting. For you it is different. For you it is a fascinating hobby.

I like fantasy as much as the next guy, but I think you're the first to ever take up deity-watching as a hobby.

But I think it's important here to make a distinction between religion, and the positive benefits belief in a higher power may bestow, because the former makes definite existential, objective claims, whereas the latter appears to be taking advantage of a heuristic in our brains, one of those side effects of our smart-chimp minds that, in this case, provides a benefit without ever touching the truth of the claims attached to it.

You could say that your beliefs have helped you, and you would probably be right there, but that doesn't make them true, something I'm sure you're already aware of. In fact, not to sound rude or speak for you, but I wonder how much you actually believe this stuff, versus how much you believe in the utility of it. It's not like there's anything wrong with extracting the benefits from something, but by ignoring the objective claims and staying focused on the positive preferential benefits, you've effectively made your religious beliefs unassailable. A little pebble of irrationality in an otherwise entirely level headed human being.

At least, that's the conclusion I've come to from reading your posts; I reserve the right to be exactly as wrong as a non-telepathic person could be, on a question of someone else's thoughts.