Does religion make people stupid or does stupidity make people religious?

Question

It has been proven beyond doubt that there is a negative correlation between intelligence and acceptance of religion.

http://kspark.kaist.ac.kr/Jesus/Intelligence%20&%20religion.htm

Do you think one causes the other, or is it a vicious cycle?

Answer 1

I Think Following The Relegion Stupidly Makes Ppl Stupid / Stupidity makes you follow relegion in a stupid way !

Answer 2

Religious indoctrination is the single most intellectually retarding mechanism ever devised. In order to accept superstitious myths, an individual must first be born with a genetic predisposition for gullibility. This leaning toward gullibility has been genetically reinforced in humanity for eons. Skeptics are free thinkers and as such, cannot be controlled and manipulated by religious leaders or governments. This genetic trait has been almost completely eradicated by selective culling out of heretics, blasphemers, pagans, heathens, atheists and others who exhibit this undesirable free thinking gene. The present day population has been genetically engineered to be compliant and submissive. Gullibility has been engineered in as superstitious people can easily be controlled through fear and false promises.

Answer 3

If you follow any idea blindly, it almost is always certain, that you cannot think on your own or are too lazy to use your intelligence. As it goes, 'Use it or lose it' Hence, these people who follow religion without bothering their grey cells even a bit, generally lose it. And these are people who not only follow religion blindly, but also their boss's orders, their societies norms, the media's opinions, etc. These are people who never make mistakes because they never do anything. These are the people who criticize others because they have nothing else to do by themselves. They are not open to differing points of views and sadly go through their lives ignorant about everything. I pity them

Answer 4

Neither causes either but they are definately related in a correlated kind of relationship. Bit like village idiots, living together in the same village of ignorance for so long, they think they are intelligent

Also, I've got a vicious cycle. I took my seat off it and now it kills whenever I go over speed bumps.

Answer 5

I think one must be demented to join the religion in the first place and once they join the religion they are brainwashed and become pretty stupid and like sheep following one another off a cliff anyhow. They cant ask questions for themselves, they just take what they are told as gospel.

Its a vicious circle!

Answer 6

I think the simple anwer is you have to be stupid to choose religion. Why would someone willingly choose to be governed by another mans law unless they were somewhat dim witted. "The purpose of religion is to govern our beliefs. The religion you choose is not importants, but the beliefs that you follow are." -Paul Franco
Collectively, people gather their dulled minds in the hopes that some higher power will show them the way to salvation. In truth, this way is only chosen by the individual under the guised of religion so that a few greedy men can collect some cash for their personal gains.
so, stupidity comes before religion.

Answer 7

What we refer to as moral values are the concepts introduced by religion that make life beautiful and rewarding. Whenever these values are distorted, we face a really disturbing picture in society. First of all, in an environment where no rules and limits are observed, lawlessness prevails. In this system, everyone lays down his own rules and principles, based on highly variable criteria. In the ignorant society the basic principle that is applied is not to go to extremes in social conduct and hence not to incur any reaction from the society. It is wholly acceptable to do anything wrong, as long as it is not publicly disclosed. Ignorant people deliver speeches about virtuous conduct and morals, or severely condemn those who hold a contrary view. However, they themselves violate these values when they are convinced that nobody sees them.
This is actually the main basis upon which their philosophy rests. They never think that Allah surrounds them all at every moment; they never conceive that He sees every deed they commit and hears every word they utter. They perceive degeneration as a modern way of living.
They fear being humiliated if they do not project the image of a modern person. This image essentially calls for the flouting of such moral values as honesty. Someone, for instance, who returns the money he found on the street to its owner, is ridiculed. In such a situation, acceptable behaviour according to ignorant people would be not to give the money back. This example reflects only one aspect of the ignorant societyís understanding about moral values however. Concepts like honesty and chastity also lose their importance. Forgery and lying are accepted as normal. A person may commit burglary since he finds nothing wrong with it. Likewise, anyone can tell a lie whenever he wishes. In this system other people have no right to object because they also have the right to behave freely (!) in accordance with their own moral values.
The Qur’an makes it clear that people who adhere to the moral values of the age of the ignorant suffer for doing so:
Indeed, Allah will not deal unjustly with man in any way. It is man who wrongs his own soul. Surah Yunus: 44
In a society where people adhere to religious values, they conduct themselves responsibly towards each other since they go in fear of Allah. They never deign to be dishonest or insincere, and certainly never push things to such extremes as to make life difficult for others. Moral values become the basis of all acts and conduct.

Answer 8

some people just need something to believe in.That there is a purpose in this world...that there is something out there. It does not make them stupid. I am not religous. But often times I have wished that I could feel what it is like to have the "faith" that some people have. To put your life in the hands of a book...must be nice. But I can not do that...I need more proof then that.

Answer 9

It's not about religion,OH evil one. It is a relationship with Jesus. You make people stupid

Answer 10

If you are so clearly against Christians, what are you doing on here? Maybe Non-religion needs a place where you could vent.
Maybe you want to be converted. . .

Answer 11

Neither,religion is only bashed by those who are incompetent. Religion does not validate my beliefs in God. People who can't follow simple rules are unhappy,lonely and foolish souls.