Why Are Most Atheists More Intelligent Than Religious People?

Religion is a difficult thing to prove, and so is faith ... but just because you believe it, doesn't mean you're not intelligent. Yes, it's true that with most arguments you need proof and if you accept a result without proper evidence then you're making a mistake, but with religion and faith ... well, it's more of a lifestyle choice, it's about what you feel, and what you need. Much of it is linked to tradition.

Some of our greatest thinkers were deeply religious. I'm not religious, nor do I agree with much about religion, but it would be very foolish to suggest that they aren't intelligent.

If using logic is considered "intelligent" then that is why.

I'm not sure that it's about intelligence, but atheists don't have faith to fall back on. I think that the nature of being an atheist is that you have to question what you've been told as opposed to accepting things on blind faith. That questioning often leads to deeper understanding of the world around them.

If an atheist doesn't understand something, he or she will dig for the answers, whereas when someone who is bound to their religion doesn't understand something, they are more likely to accept divine intervention as an explanation or just "leave it up to God. " That doesn't require a lot of brain power, yet I would not say that this means that religious people aren't intelligent. Only that they are faithful.

Whether you think that's a good or bad thing, intelligent or stupid, depends on your personal point of view. Personally, I think there are plenty of not-so-intelligent persons on both sides.

A genius or a gifted person generally tends to be an atheist. Research about geniuses reveals that. That may be because they question everything that is not understood by logic.

But that doesn't necessarily mean believers are less intellectual people. Infact statistics shows that large number of highly successful people are believers.

This question is too generalized, inferring that atheism makes you intelligent whereas belief makes you less intelligent, when in reality all folks differ with intelligence dependent upon environment, opportunity and desire. Most of the world have never developed their brains and found their intelligence!

I suspect that atheists have put more thought into why they choose not believe in any god or religion. The blind faith of some religious followers turn them into bigots which in turn emphasises one of the reasons atheists become atheists. The problem for me with those people who truly believe in their faith is when they assume that if you don't feel the same way there is something missing in your life.

I wouldn't harass a believer to become a non believer so why harass me? A true christian doesn't need to wear a badge, attend church, evangalise others or make judgements. They could just do good things because it's in their heart.

There are millions of people around the world that do this without the need to bring up religion to justify human kindness.

To this question I would present Gerald Schroeder, Michele J. Behe and Antony Flew to name a few. This question you asked is prefaced on speculation and should not be led to start a name calling debacle.

You could also ask the question of why highly intelligent individuals believe in UFO’s. Neither side has a corner on proof, for, against or abducted.

In the case of the former, I'd have to say you need to link to your resource. For the latter, and more likely scenario, it may be that by shear chance you have only met smart atheists and dumb religious folks. It could also be that religious people may not make it an effort to let you know how intelligent they are, given that some religions tend to teach against boasting and pride.

Atheists would not believe these teachings, so they may be more inclined to tout their cognitive abilities more often. ORRR, it could just be that religious people are idiots after all, but I tend to doubt it...

Atheism has never been proved, so then there cant be intelligence attached. Its like saying "are you insured"?. Insurance only works when the case has met criteria.

Believing in God is a better insurance than not believing in him. One will fall under the insurance because of the policy being activated. One will miss out on the policy, because he wasn't covered, by the policy.

The Policy is God Assurance, and it includes death.

I don't think atheists are necessary more intelligent then religious people, but some religious people are not rational, following a thought blindly and have the tendency of forcing their ideas onto others.

This question highlights the extreme ignorance of the person that asked it. The fact is, that there are many, many highly intelligent scientists who believe that there is a Creator, in other words, they are not athiests.

Sheep are not very intelligent animals. There is a reason a group of religious people is called a "flock". Those with intelligence can easily see the stupidity and evil of religions.

Religions appeal to those with primitive, superstitious minds. Granted that a lot of people can make mouth sounds (speech) very articulately and make and use tools handily. But so can parrots and chimps.

First off: You really need to link a source or study that even begins to assume this. Secondly: There are multiple ways to define intelligence. Thirdly: Well, perhaps people who "seem" intelligent just happen to be atheists because their "intelligence" tells them that their is scientific proof on how things came to be and that it is absurd to even consider a higher power.

They are not smarter. They just spend so much time trying to discredit God that they build up a pretty good vocabulary in the process. It is all on the surface.

My daughter has a 4.0 graduating college and she is Christian/religious. I am a retired nurse so I'm the one who'd give you shots, took your vitals, gave you IV's so you better hope I'm intelligent, at least enough to be trusted with your health. THe doctor I work for, an intelligent man, is religious.

People trust their lives to him. Did I give you enough examples of how your question is a contradiction to reality?

Religious belief and intelligence do not go hand in hand. People formulate their religious beliefs from their environment. Neither is a education or a grade point average indicative of intelligence.

The ability to complete assignments and turn in papers that are excepted by the college establishment as satisfactory does not verify intelligence. I have a "I.Q. " that is 170 plus. That in actuality means nothing.Am I religious?

I am not an atheist and I do believe in one all powerful force. Look up in to the night sky and you will see in all its glory GOD.

Their religion is intelligence. Why is it the more intelligent a person is, the more they lack in other areas such as common sense or social skills? Atheists are argumentative and like to have "facts" to justify themselves and be able to talk or relate to others.

They spew facts, therefore they are. Some of the most intelligent people, such as geniuses like my dad, lack so many other elements, such as the aspects I mentioned above. Also, there are approximately 8 or 9 different intelligences so are all skilled athletes atheists?

I would argue not one "intellegent" person, by your standards, is intelligent in all 9 areas of intelligence.

False Accusation; It's Simply Determined On The Approximate Person; And A Person Without A Liberated Mine Doesn't Look For Reasons For; They Find Reasons Against; And Most Feel Intelligent For Finding Others Reasons/Judgments. Being Around Those Superior Literature; You're Able To Learn And Nurture Your Information. Though; For Instance I'm At The Current Age Of 16; And Intellect Isn't A Whole; For Instance; You Could Be Extremely Smart At School; Though Spend Time Drinking; And Doing Inappropriate Things; I Simply Don't Believe That Falls Under The Category Of SmartI'm Also A Very Religious Person; I'm Trying To Spend My Life For Christ.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.