Are atheists more intelligent than believers?

[Guest]

Inquiring minds want to know. Well, at least this apatheist mind does.

Maybe a mod will move this interesting hi-jack topic over into this thread, devoted to this fascinating subject that is being discussed quite well currently beginning with this post in this other thread.

[_Some Schmo]

On average? Maybe, but I'm reluctant to stake that claim.

I think a better question would be, "Is disbelief in god(s) more intelligent than belief?" Even that one is hard to answer. I suppose the farthest I'd go is to say that a lack of belief is more intellectually rigorous and rational than belief given the available data.

[_Ceeboo]

No!



Peace,
Ceeboo

[_Aristotle Smith]

For now anyway, I think it's a fair assumption that atheists are at least better educated, on average, than are believers.

Now, before you atheists get excited about this, this is actually expected. A well documented statistic in sociology of religion is that the first movers in non sect based religions tend to be better educated than average. For instance, both scientologists and wiccans tend to be better educated than the average American. Mormons are somewhat below scientologists and wiccans, but still above the norm. What is probably happening with Mormons is that as Mormons blend in with society (a natural evolution for having been around longer than scientology and wiccans), they are regressing to average.

So, my guess is that atheists are for now seeing the fruits of the first mover advantage in religions. Yes, I realize that atheism is not a religion, but for categorization purposes they fall into the "None of the Above" category when classifying religious beliefs. However, in a generation or two time will erode this advantage. Atheists will marry and have atheist kids who on average look more like the average American.

What this also means is that in time, you atheists will have to start dealing more and more with the "stupid atheist problem." What I mean by that is that as a religious person, I am forced to deal with religious idiots and explain their lunacy, and statistically speaking I probably have to do that more often on average than do atheists. However, given a little time, my guess is that things will even out, and you atheists will be dealing with your own idiots and explaining their lunacy to believers too.

Oh, and I won't mention names, but there are already a few atheist idiots on this board who you can practice on!

FYI, my source for this material is Chapter 2 of "The Rise of Christianity" by Rodney Stark.

[_MrStakhanovite]

What this also means is that in time, you atheists will have to start dealing more and more with the "stupid atheist problem." What I mean by that is that as a religious person, I am forced to deal with religious idiots and explain their lunacy, and statistically speaking I probably have to do that more often on average than do atheists. However, given a little time, my guess is that things will even out, and you atheists will be dealing with your own idiots and explaining their lunacy to believers too.

Oh, I think that gap is fast closing.

[_Runtu]

I'm not an atheist, but I do know that I'm not as smart as Wade. After all, in the last six years, I haven't correctly understood a single post from him. It's discouraging, but I'm working on it.

[_Chap]

I'll be happy if the day comes when the majority of stupid people have become atheists, even if many of them still won't be able to spell it.

Clever people can often find ways to live a bearably normal life even though in theory they believe weird things. But stupid people find it less easy to do that, and can end up stuck with the consequences of living their creed literally.

[_maklelan]

A few different studies have shown atheists on average have slightly higher IQs than members of religious groups, and that's not surprising. Most atheists thought their way out of religion, while many religious folks didn't think their way into it, but inherited it or were persuaded by experiences. This is also why atheists scored higher than most religious groups in that Pew survey about religious knowledge. Most atheists have thought long and hard about things that the average believer has not.

[_just me]

I'll be happy if the day comes when the majority of stupid people have become atheists, even if many of them still won't be able to spell it.

Bwahahahaha! I had to do a quick check at the thread title. Gold, my friend.

[_Buffalo]

For now anyway, I think it's a fair assumption that atheists are at least better educated, on average, than are believers.

Now, before you atheists get excited about this, this is actually expected. A well documented statistic in sociology of religion is that the first movers in non sect based religions tend to be better educated than average. For instance, both scientologists and wiccans tend to be better educated than the average American. Mormons are somewhat below scientologists and wiccans, but still above the norm. What is probably happening with Mormons is that as Mormons blend in with society (a natural evolution for having been around longer than scientology and wiccans), they are regressing to average.

So, my guess is that atheists are for now seeing the fruits of the first mover advantage in religions. Yes, I realize that atheism is not a religion, but for categorization purposes they fall into the "None of the Above" category when classifying religious beliefs. However, in a generation or two time will erode this advantage. Atheists will marry and have atheist kids who on average look more like the average American.

What this also means is that in time, you atheists will have to start dealing more and more with the "stupid atheist problem." What I mean by that is that as a religious person, I am forced to deal with religious idiots and explain their lunacy, and statistically speaking I probably have to do that more often on average than do atheists. However, given a little time, my guess is that things will even out, and you atheists will be dealing with your own idiots and explaining their lunacy to believers too.

Oh, and I won't mention names, but there are already a few atheist idiots on this board who you can practice on!

FYI, my source for this material is Chapter 2 of "The Rise of Christianity" by Rodney Stark.

Not just better educated, but score better in IQ tests by 6-11 points, I believe.