Religious people are less intelligent than atheists

[Catholic_Lady]

Let me ask this because these kinds of threads pop-up often enough. Why is it so important for atheists to prove they are more intelligent/rational than theists?

We think it will make you guys feel better. If we're smug and condescending, you guys can shrug it off and talk about what rude, delusional assholes we are. But if we all came out and said, "You know, I'm dumber than dog shit, but even I have enough sense not to believe this nonsense" . . . well, that might sting a bit.

We're thoughtful that way.

Nah, I think they both sound condescending.

[ignoramus]

To believe in anything spiritual, one only needs emotions.

Intelligence doesn't really come into it...

It's not a binary position as alluded to...

[Aegon]

P.S. To my knowledge, there has been no uniform consensus among psychologists, psychometricians, etc., about what intelligence actually is.  Do the various concepts of intelligence, which have been defined by humanity, actually have universal validity and merit?

I agree, but if we were to sit here and look at other words, terms, and concepts with the same lens we'd eventually conclude that nothing is real.

[brewer]

To believe in anything spiritual, one only needs emotions.

Intelligence doesn't really come into it...

It's not a binary position as alluded to...

And a certain amount/type of gullibility, which is not necessarily tied to intelligence.

[Succubus]

Regarding the op and the various comments that it has generated, perhaps it would have been more effective to leave the labels on the sidelines and to  make the observation that people differ in terms of intellectual ability and to inquire about why this is so. 

P.S. To my knowledge, there has been no uniform consensus among psychologists, psychometricians, etc., about what intelligence actually is.  Do the various concepts of intelligence, which have been defined by humanity, actually have universal validity and merit?

'Universal validity and merit.' Absolutely, this is where I am seriously confused insomuch as there doesn't appear to be a correlation between intelligence and profound stupidity. Take the many millions of bible literalists/creationists for example, these people believe Satan planted the fossils to confuse us and Jonah lived in a fish's belly for three days and popped out again. These people are clearly not right in the head, and yet this idiocy on a massive scale isn't reflected in the survey findings. How in the blue frozen hell can someone believe the ravings in 'Revelation' then teach mathematics the following day?

Most odd.

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To believe in anything spiritual, one only needs emotions.

Intelligence doesn't really come into it...

It's not a binary position as alluded to...

And a certain amount/type of gullibility, which is not necessarily tied to intelligence.

I think I've just been Ninja'd.

[ErGingerbreadMandude]

Men seem to be the freaks on both ends of the intelligence spectrum lol.

Well if it was in an article then it must be true 😜

[The Valkyrie]

I really don't like all these generalities.

One of the smartest people I know is a Muslim.

One of the dumbest people I've ever met was an atheist ( though I'm not sure he could define the word).

It may appear this way on the whole but, as others have stated, religion often attracts the needy, the desperate, and the poor. And these groups ofyen tend to have less access to education.

Of course, YECS are dumb as fuck. Not necessarily the leaders of the movement, who are just plain liars, but the followers.

[Bow Before Zeus]

Hey, don't take it from me. This is the conclusion from a study by Professor Miron Zuckerman as reported in the Independent:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/scienc...58046.html

Cool, science confirms what the Bible said a long time ago:

1 Cor 1

26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 

Thanks for posting that! 

Only because the fooling make for better sheep.

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Let me ask this because these kinds of threads pop-up often enough. Why is it so important for atheists to prove they are more intelligent/rational than theists?

Because atheism is based of rationalism and theism is based on faith. Mutually exclusive thought processes. One leads to intelligence the other limits intelligence.

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Based on your life experience, what are the top three stupid things that stupid people are most likely to believe?

1. Islam
2. Xtianity
3. Voodoo magic

[Drich]

See the definition of intelligence that was previously posted. Intelligence is a measure tied to education.

TBH I think that was a bad definition.

Intelligence is an overall capacity to understand things. Intelligence is innate comprehension ability.

The measure you are describing is wisdom which is measured apart from education.

Nah, the point is that intelligence is innate and you can be taught things that you are too dumb to really understand. Education is about knowledge, and you don't have to be smart to know stuff. All knowledge requires is memory. Memorizing facts doesn't make you smart. Understanding them makes you smart.

If intelligence is about comprehension then why is it defined as the acquisition of knowledge and skill?

The problem hammy is with people like you, you have your own understanding of the words you use and more often than not you will stretch the meaning of a word to fit a narrative rather than seek out the proper word that describes what you are trying to describe.

When I said intelligence is a measure of indoctrination, may at first seem like a stretch until you actually look at the definition, and as I explained in my first post. the measure of knowledge is judged by region's "smart class". They decide what is valid and what is not. they determine how one is to be educated and what they are taught. as Intelligence does not transfer from region to region.

Some absolutes do as with mathematics but everything else can be trivialized. Why because the accumulation of the wrong knowledge or the applications of the wrong skills (as view by this soceity)can quickly be deemed as unintelligent behavior. while in another society those skills and knowledge can be the corner stone standard.

For example look at the divide between religion and science. People who worship and up hold 'science' as their live standard poo-poo on those who spent 20+ years studying several different languages, cultures, and even architecture than the 'intelligent among the religious can be referred to as someone who has no intelligent credibility just because they do not kneel at the alter/faith in science as the fanatical science groupies do. So how can someone with 20 of gathering knoweledge and applying said knowledge in a cohesive way be deem foolish? Because they do not meet the indoctrinated measure set fourth by pop culture.

In short if what you said is true then I could never honestly be call an idiot. but we all know that is the favored panic stop button most of you turn to when you are unable to refute a point I am making. and to a degree (That I do not subscribe wholy to your faith in all science) by this measure you are correct.

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Moron..


Intelligence is a measure of indoctrination. It is a number or rating that reflects How much of society approved BS have you retained.

If that were true, that would make you an übergenius. I think we both know we don't live in that universe.

if only there was a way for me to show you which side of the looking glass you stood on...

[ErGingerbreadMandude]

Because atheism is based of rationalism and theism is based on faith.

Nope atheism is based on lack of faith not rationalism.