Can you explain this? Please help!?

Question

http://w-uh.com/posts/031226a-religion_vs_IQ.html
So we are more stupit that those atheists?

Answer 1

that's hilarious. it's certainly reflected on this site.

Answer 2

Based on your other posts, I suspect you are an atheist. Either that, or you just like annoying as many people as possible. If you are an atheist, then your spelling and grammar errors tend to give the lie to the data at the end of your link.

I looked at your link and would be interested in knowing where the two people who made that chart got their data. I've never run into anything that correlates religious preference with IQ. Perhaps the easiest way to do this would be to poll the members of Mensa, though that would only give you those with a high IQ who are willing to join that particular club.

From my own experience, I'd have to say this chart does not appear to be accurate. The last time I took an IQ test, I scored 160. I'm a devout Baha'i. I know many intelligent and highly-educated Baha'is, so find it hard to believe your figures. I think about 80% of the Baha'is I know personally who are over the age of 30 have college degrees and many have advanced or multiple degrees. Considering how active they are in their Baha'i community, I'd have to conclude that religion is important to them.

Please let us know if you find out the source of the data!

Answer 3

I looked at the site - it seems to me that someone has done some research as to religious beliefs versus intelligence and posted it as a web site. First of all - the two can't be compaired! Notice I said "can't" - what I mean by that is: rhetorical religious beliefs are just that "beliefs" - something that a person "thinks", "has an opinion on", or, otherwise, "has confidence in but it is speculative and there's no rigorous proof"! Whereas, intelligence is something "attached" to a person. It is you own (or someone else's') capacity to understand using your mental processes. There is proof that one has intelligence, or not! "You use your own mind, " get it! Your own mind is something that is genetic and it's where those other processes go on. It's where you form those beliefs, opinions, or have confidence, as it were! It's where you "think" about things.
To my way of thinking (notice - I'm going to use my intelligence, or my own mind), this particular site proves that religious beliefs and intelligence can't even be considered in the same sentence, much less as opposing view points, within the same format of opinions. If you know the meaning of words the site says that no one is stupid, not even people who hold particular religious beliefs. Probably, especially those people.
Begin to learn the meaning of words and you can interpret the meaning of sites like this and many others. But - wait - they no longer teach "english grammer" in school. They can barely teach someone how to read. Ups! I'm sorry!

Answer 4

ok you are making a point about psychology over here. You are questioning the observations that "there is a higher occurence of high IQ among people who are less religious" But then this hypothesis has been true for ages.

Non-beleivers or sceptics of religions are often more curious and their brain questions the followed norms. It is also likely that some of these come up with their own definition of beliefs or a new religion. Its no wonder that Einstein dabbled with theosophy. Many consider Science as a form of religion as opposed to conventional forms of religions (like christanity). You have more support for your hypothesis from this link http://kspark.kaist.ac.kr/Jesus/Intelligence%20&%20religion.htm

But wait...why do restrict the defnition of religion. Why has it to be "what you are told to do?"...Why cant it be the broader defintion of Krishnamurti where in he says "its a quest for the truth". If this is the definition of religion then all these numbers are meaningless. Intelligent people are more likely to search for the truth. "Atheists" are as much searching for a meaning for their lives as any believer is. Its just that his search has wider options.

Answer 5

Religious people tend not to think hard, thereby less mental usage. Why, because they develop the tendency to pass on God the burden they are capable of solving by themselves should they believe in their God-given minds instead of simplifying it with these boring line "It's in God's plan". Have you heard the line "Do your best and God will do the rest"? Religious people tend to do the opposite. Rely everything to the omnipotence before they start doing something if God won't response.

Spiritual people on the other hand are like atheists except that when they question spiritual matters they tend to look at the mystery of the overall picture of existence incorporated with the strong belief of higher self or God.

I am not surprised at all with the graph. In my country, they look answers from the priests instead of trusting more in their God-given talent for answers.

Answer 6

There just happens to be a correlation between lower IQ and importance of religion by that graph. It makes sense, people with a higher IQ have better reasoning and critical thinking skills that allows them to see through the quagmire of religion.

There are exceptions to the rule as always but there definitely is a strong correlation.

Answer 7

Consider this: People who believe in God, a higher power, a dominant force, will concede and submit to Him. Thus, in fact, taking a lesser position of one who is dominated, or one who submits to that higher authority. When I submit to a higher authority I readily admit that that authority has knowledge and abilities that exceed my own, even if I do not fully understand all of the higher powers reasoning. The chart you shared really only determines that there are intelligent people who refuse to submit to a higher authority unless it is able to convince them cognitively that they should. God does not always make sense. Consider the following case points: Noah, Abraham, Moses, David just to name a few. By the way, I have had regular testiing since I was a child and my IQ is over 140.

Answer 8

I think that the problem a lot of people have is when they are more intelligent, it's hard for them to believe something that isn't backed up by facts. They think more logically and therefore, choose to not believe in God. Whereas people who believe in God, don't think about having to prove that he is real, they live on faith alone.

I'm a Christian and it has been very hard for me to keep my faith and attend college at the same time because there are so many people giving you reasons not to. Don't let statistics bother you...

Answer 9

No, I do not believe we are 'more stupid' than anyone! I honestly don't know what the correlation between IQ and Religion is, but I know MANY Christians who happen to have a very high IQ!

Answer 10

Oh man, you've opened a can of worms... Now you are having all those atheists submitting answers...

But not me. I'm with you. I don't think that your site is true. We know better. We're the smart ones!

Answer 11

When you can't spell the word stupid or use the spell check it is looking like the atheists may have the upper hand.