Why Are We The Lucky Ones?

[Shuffle]

My last thread talked about the link between IQ and religiosity. Many atheists disagreed with me when I said that the higher your IQ is, the more skeptically minded you tend to be, therefore increasing your chances of being an atheist. If IQ is not a factor, then what do you think is? Why were we so lucky to be broken out of religious bonds, and other theists weren't? What are the causal factors?

Thanks!

[Aoi Magi]

My last thread talked about the link between IQ and religiosity. Many atheists disagreed with me when I said that the higher your IQ is, the more skeptically minded you tend to be, therefore increasing your chances of being an atheist. If IQ is not a factor, then what do you think is? Why were we so lucky to be broken out of religious bonds, and other theists weren't? What are the causal factors?

Thanks!

• Easy access to more information and knowledge. Most atheists are not home-schooled.
  
• Parents not too eager on the brainwashing bit (or too busy to do so with the modern busybee lifestyle).
  
• Increase in communication to more people who are NOT like-minded.
  
• Development of critical thinking ability.
  
• The Devil.
  

[BetaOrionis]

Whilst I agree IQ may have an effect, I think you have to note socio-economic status. Most of the wealthiest nations (with the notable exception of the US) have a greater population of atheists than poorer nations. Those who are poor, oppressed, with little hope for betterment in this world tend to be more religious - understandably so in my opinion.

[Longhorn]

Obviously we have greater appreciation for the taste of baby meat

[Fidel_Castronaut]

I have never been indoctrinated. My parents, whilst not 'educated' in terms of qualifications, were very much against telling me what to think and instilled the virtues of skeptical inquiry into me from a young age.

So in terms of being 'lucky', I was lucky that I had parents that saw teaching me how to think and not what to think as the better course of action for my long term development.

[Nope]

Obviously we have greater appreciation for the taste of baby meat

Yum


The internet has helped a lot. Atheists are beginning to speak out and that helps those of us who would have tried to pray away our disbelief in other time periods

[abaris]

As Aoi said - education, ther wish to be3 informed and access to information.

But as always, the broad brush doesn't do it's job well when it comes to people. I always am for looking at individuals and not a homogenous mass.

[ignoramus]

I would say that whatever your parents are will be what you will be in prolly 90% of instances.
Here in Oz, the only signs of religion we see is the muzzo's walking around in their full attire. No one else gives 2 shits.
So yeah, in such a free and secular country, whatever your dictator Islamic father says goes! hehe. Poor little bastards! They NEVER even had a chance at a better life!

[brewer]

Meh, I was never a fan of fiction horror stories.

[Aoi Magi]

jmccool80 brings up an important factor, our financial conditions as a society are quite important, because it is easier to spend time thinking things through when your every waking moment isn't being spent on hopelessly planning how to get a square meal.