Education versus religious beliefs?

Question

So don't get all upset, I'm just asking a simple question (no need to be defensive here.. we're all brothers and sisters trying to make sense of this universe though whatever means)

In numerous surveys it has been shown that religious beliefs diminish as education levels rise. The percentage of "believers" among high school drop-outs is very high.. gradually decreasing all the way up to graduate school degree holders who, as a group, are very irreligious (yeah probably athiests)

This Q is targeted towards american christians, but feel free to answer away...

WHY?

Great! Everyone check out Mr. MISTER's post below... You gotta love Christians who are passionate about their hatred...

Answer 1

I've thought about this too. I would guess that it has to do with critical thinking. On the average, the more education you have the more you tend to question dogma and think for yourself. The backbone of science, which is a significant fraction of most education, is rational analysis, logic, etc. On the other hand, rational analysis and religion tend to conflict. In religion, many things must be believed on "faith".

Answer 2

You're jumping to an incorrect conclusion. You should probably take into account some details of these surveys. Were they run by atheists or Christians? Who was surveyed? What specific questions were asked? Your question seems to lead to a false assumption that higher education normally leads to atheism. This simply isn't true. There are more than enough fully educated Christians throughout history to indicate that those surveys, or your question is highly biased towards educated atheists. This fits the pattern of most atheist science in that there is an assumed conclusion that God does not exist, and THEN the data is molded to fit that conclusion.

To truly educated people, Christian or atheist, this type of logic is laughable and embarrasing to science as a whole.

Answer 3

Some wonderful answers already on here. I really can't do any better. But I will add that while I agree that the more educated a person is, the less likely that they will need religion, or will blindly follow their faith, I have known some highly educated people who are also religious.

It is a little hard for me to understand how this is possible, but I think that it may be a case of either denial, or not wanting to leave their comfort zone, or not wanting to give up any friends or family they have in their faith or having ulterior motives such as position, power or greed.

Answer 4

Personally I don't think that it is education that causes this. I know that I was more religious when I was younger. My parents were good about going to church and keeping the faith. Once you graduate though, move out and go to college you tend to loose site of your faith. Other things sort of just take over. Certain people could just place a higher priority on other things. Also a reason that drop outs may have a higher level of faith is because they need something to believe in. Therefore it is easier to remember what you have always known. God is there for you no matter what.

Answer 5

Well, im not christian, gonna get that out in the open. I think its because people are re-examining a lot of things like the bible and delving deeper into history and science. The truth is, at least some of the Bible IS possibly historical fact. I say this because some things show up in more than one religion. Either the same people wrote all of them (unlikely), or because they all originate in the same region of the world.
Anyways, on to the point. I think it is the fact that we are opening our minds to more possibilities. Some of the greatest things in history came from pagans(pagan meaning believing in more than 1 god/goddess), such as the greeks and romans. My Point is, religion isnt as important as morality. I do not follow a major world religion, but i still have morals and know what i should do from what i should not. As long as we have a good moral strucure, we can still be good citizens without religion. Religion, especially christianity, leaves little room for broadening horizons. I know this because i come from a christian family who are for the most part very naive and ignorant because they close their minds to new ideas.
I know you are probably going to see this and say, another non christian college student on a rant...yes, i can deal with that, but no, im not ranting. Im simply trying to rationalize and answer your question to the best of my ability. Im not putting anyone down, i dont sink to that level that i see here so often.
Blessed Be.

Answer 6

I think the more educated a person becomes, the more they learn about other lifestyles and cultures. With the knowledge comes tolerance for both. To be a part of a religion you must believe that it is the right religion, so you must believe that other religions are wrong, other cultures are wrong in their beliefs, homosexuality is wrong, sex is often viewed differently, single parenting, having children and not being married, all viewed differently by religions then most who are not religious. I think people start to realize that their religion doesn't go along with their acceptance of these facts, so their religious beliefs begin to change. Not that all peoples do, but I do think it changes some peoples opinions of religion.

Answer 7

I am a Christian with a degree, but I was 1 and a half years into another degree before I got this one. Problem was, I was originally at a state run school, full of liberal, and probably atheist professors. They basically made me leave their program because of my beliefs and the fact that I wouldn't change for them. They weed people out...I had an excellent GPA and was a good student. So, what gets left in their colleges???
I had to leave and start new at a private college.

Answer 8

Neither should exclude the other.
A believer who gets an education becomes a better informed believer, maybe even stronger in his beliefs.
An unbeliever, who gets to know religion and all it involves, may find things that he never suspected or could have hoped for. It may even make a believer out of him/her, but in any case he/she will be an informed non-believer.
People, if you make a choice, make an educated one, not one based on what you have been told or taught.
So much for today's sermon (just kidding) !

Answer 9

Isn't the awnser obvious? Its much harder for intelligent people to accept their faith blindly. The unintelligent don't know or care to question their beliefs. Smart people analyze their own views and notice the obvious flaws in christianity. In another 100 yrs as the common man grows more and more educated you can expect athiesm to be at an all time high and for faith to be its lowest in decades

Answer 10

It's because schools don't teach facts. They indoctrinate you to follow the principals of the teacher. Unfortuneately the majority of professors are extremist liberals who refuse to give a balanced viewpoint.

Given a balanced presentation, studies have shown that people are more likely to favour scientifically supported biblical teachings over scientifically supported humanist stories.