"Religious people tend to be smarter"

[Excited Penguin]

These are not people who oppose my beliefs. These are people who purposefully misconstrue every other thing I say. Get a grip.

[bennyboy]

Heat, just imagine I'm a guy trying to survive in "The Walking Stupid" Tv-show. Just get my perspective, for once.

I don't think I've ever seen an atheist on these forums come so strongly into opposition with so many other members.  I'm surprised to see so much hubris and delusion outside the realms of religion and woo. It's apparent to everyone, but not yourself, that you aren't the clever, special little snowflake you think you are. You aren't better than all the people you are pretending to be better than-- you are just lazier.

If you want people to support you, provide sensible arguments presented in a tone that is consistent with the level of elevation of the thread at the time of your post. Otherwise, stfu and get ready for the pain that is normally reserved for the most obnoxious theists: that of a delusional prick who must be schooled.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Oh, dear, he blocked me.

Goodbye, cruel world.

No one tell him it only means he won't see my mockery, please.

How about I quote everything you say in this thread, so he can still see what you're saying?

Staff should allow me to kudos each such post twice. It's only fair.

[Thumpalumpacus]

These are not people who oppose my beliefs. These are people who purposefully misconstrue every other thing I say. Get a grip.

Simply because I disagreed with you doesn't mean I misconstrued you, deliberately or otherwise.

Grow up.

[ErGingerbreadMandude]

Depends on how one would define smartness, I guess.

[bennyboy]

Depends on how one would define smartness, I guess.

The thing is that religion serves as a placeholder for deep mysteries.  I personally see no harm in that-- saying "goddidit" is a good way to stop thinking about morality, or cosmic justice, and get to work.

The real problem is when religion intrudes on things that are not mysteries.  Applying scripture over evolution, for example, is a recipe for failure.

[henryp]

An interesting thing with science, is that it doesn't matter 99% of the time.  We're a very specialized culture.  Ben Carson believes all sorts of nonsense, and he was a Brain Surgeon.  

I believe in evolution.  What does that do for me?  It has no practical value.  That piece of "smartness" is more or less worthless.

[Thumpalumpacus]

An interesting thing with science, is that it doesn't matter 99% of the time.  We're a very specialized culture.  Ben Carson believes all sorts of nonsense, and he was a Brain Surgeon.  

I believe in evolution.  What does that do for me?  It has no practical value.  That piece of "smartness" is more or less worthless.

Actually, it helps you on a day-to day basis. When you understand how evolution works, you understand why you need to complete your prescription of antibiotics even though you feel healthy with twelve pills still in the bottle. Ever hear that phrase, "the relapse is always worse"? There's a reason for it, and that reason is evolution.

And evolution is not the subject of belief. As a fact, it is only subject to acceptance or rejection.

[bennyboy]

An interesting thing with science, is that it doesn't matter 99% of the time.  We're a very specialized culture.  Ben Carson believes all sorts of nonsense, and he was a Brain Surgeon.  

I believe in evolution.  What does that do for me?  It has no practical value.  That piece of "smartness" is more or less worthless.

In an evolutionary sense, I'd probably agree with you.  All kinds of people have all kinds of goofy ideas, but it doesn't generally affect their ability to hold a job, to get laid (i.e. reproduce), to get food, etc. In fact, there are probably social and psychological benefits to religion that are more important to genetic fitness than a grip on reality is. For example, I bet if you checked the mood of all religious folk compared to that of all people *ahrrm* here, you'd find that the religious folk are generally happier and better socialized.

Truth costs.

[henryp]

An interesting thing with science, is that it doesn't matter 99% of the time.  We're a very specialized culture.  Ben Carson believes all sorts of nonsense, and he was a Brain Surgeon.  

I believe in evolution.  What does that do for me?  It has no practical value.  That piece of "smartness" is more or less worthless.

In an evolutionary sense, I'd probably agree with you.  All kinds of people have all kinds of goofy ideas, but it doesn't generally affect their ability to hold a job, to get laid (i.e. reproduced), to get food, etc.

But can you take all the pills in your prescription as directed by your doctor?