Why is there a negative correlation between intelligence and being a Christian?

Question

Also, there is a negative correlation between education and being a Christian.

Answer 1

Yep. There are about 40 studies, conducted over the past 80 years, that reveal a statistically significant NEGATIVE correlation between intelligence and religiosity. In plainer language, they found that the more intelligent a person is, the LESS likely he is to be religious.

We're not entitled to conclude causality from these data, but there are three possibilities:

1.Considering religion important lowers measured IQ (unlikely, since IQ is substantially genetic whereas belief is not).

2.The causality is via other factors not considered, such as socio-economic conditions, cultural history, or physical environment (definitely possible).

3.Having a higher measured IQ lowers your likelihood of considering religion important (most likely).

If you think about it, this makes a lot of sense. Intelligence tests mainly provide an indication of reasoning ability and problem solving ability... critical thought. These are the very qualities that see through religion, and recognize it for what it is; i.e., religion cannot survive the glaring light of reason and critical thought. This was well understood by important figures in religious history. This is why the early church destroyed all the writings that were in conflict with dogma, such as Greek philosophical, medical and mathematical knowledge... all the good stuff... which led directly to the Dark Ages.

Just to illustrate the point, here's what Martin Luther, the 'father' of protestantism, had to say about it:

"Reason must be deluded, blinded, and destroyed. Faith must trample underfoot all reason, sense, and understanding, and whatever it sees must be put out of sight and ... know nothing but the word of God." ~ Martin Luther

"Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has; it never comes to the aid of spiritual things, but -- more frequently than not -- struggles against the divine Word, treating with contempt all that emanates from God." ~ Martin Luther

"There is on earth among all dangers no more dangerous thing than a richly endowed and adroit reason... Reason must be deluded, blinded, and destroyed." ~ Martin Luther

"Reason should be destroyed in all Christians." ~ Martin Luther

Christianity is essentially a criminal business enterprise... in fact, it is the world's longest running and most successful Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) scam. The product they are selling is 'salvation'... and the 'pay plan' doesn't kick in until after you're dead. What a racket! FORTUNATELY, it only works on those who are gullible enough, and sufficiently lacking in critical thinking skills, to fall for it. UNfortunately, THAT accounts for about 75% of the population of the USA. (There are a lot more people who DON'T know how to think properly than there are people who DO know how to think properly.) That is why there are a lot more religious people in the USA than there are 'Free-thinkers'... including Atheists. Also, Christians are generally too dense to realize that proselytizing (spreading the 'good news') is a key element of the Christian MLM MARKETING PLAN, which was instituted after Christianity lost the political power that had previously allowed them to simply torture and kill anybody who did not comply. Now, they attempt to just pester people to death, through persistent obliviousness and obnoxiousness. If you stop to think about it, you will realize that Christians are very much like the Borg, on Star Trek Next Generation: "You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile." I would not be surprised to learn that thoughts of Christianity provided the 'creative spark' for the Borg concept.

Interestingly, statistics on supernatural beliefs count the USA on a par with backward, developing Third World nations, rather than among modern, advanced industrial powers.

********************

"Selling eternal life is an unbeatable business, with no customers ever asking for their money back after the goods are not delivered." ~ Victor J. Stenger

"Businesses may come and go, but religion will last forever, for in no other endeavor does the consumer blame himself for product failure."  ~ Harvard Lampoon, "Doon" (paraphrase)

http://www.answers.com/topic/religiosity-and-intelligence
http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/L-thinkingchristians.htm

Answer 2

I think I'll use this question to show how much obervation can be biased.

I'll start by guessing at how you arrived at your conclusion. My best guess is that you didn't do a formal kind of study of any kind. That your conclusion has ablsolutely no base to stand on and you're just blindly lashing out at things you don't understand. This is the first and most obvious way bias can enter into observation. You looked around and started out with the standard "anyone who is a Christian must be stupid because I'm not a Christian and I consider myself " and with that you immediately looked around and used this standard of measure to spread your ignorant hate.

Now if you were to take a more formal test. Say you decide to shead your ignorance and go after some real truth. What would you find? Well my guess is if you look at standardized test scores you will get an relatively even distribution between atheist and christians. But thats not the result you were looking for so you decide to do another test.

You then say alright we're only going to test them in their knowledge of science. Since you're pretty comfotable with your scientific ability you assume all Christians won't be able to comprehend it. But there's a problem. You're now testing with a biased standard. Christians as a whole might not be studying science because they don't see it as the sole venue for truth. On this test you might see Christians falling behind. But no more than you would see Atheist fall behind on a biblical test.

Your preconceived bias WILL have an effect on whatever test you run.

My bias is for Jesus Christ. In the end it's all about that decision you make. For Him or against Him. It's your choice.

Answer 3

Because it is often assumed (and not by everyone, but its ussually by the more outspoken ones) that since our beliefs cannot be proven by something in a science book, that we must be less intelligent to believe something that cannot be explained. If I see one more question or answer that compares God to Santa Clause, I think I will scream. The only similarity betweent he 2 is that they both can't be proven exist...it's called faith. To compare the 2 is like comparing apples and oranges...Santa Clause brings toys to kids, God created the whole world and saves our eternal souls. If your going to make a comparison, make it at least somewhat rellevant. (you didn't, but several have, and it's just to show how degrating non-beleivers explanation of christianity can be at times.)

I don't think their is a problem with being educated-especially in science, because you are a christian. People who do have a problem should come to the realization that it is just going to teach one a better understanding of God's creatures, which no christian should have a problem with.

Answer 4

Perhaps you have heard of the National Academy of Sciences? Many very educated people, scant few xians. That is just a small example of how the more people read and the less they listen to xian liars the easier it is to reject their silly mythology.

Everyone I know who had majored in any of the sciences are either atheist or agnostic. Everyone I know that has dropped out of high school or never went to college all happen to be xians. I know that is just my small little world but I am sure many people can attest to the same.

Answer 5

Those perceived correlations may be true in cases where enthusiasm/zeal is combined with immaturity.

Don't followers of Christ also look weak beause of values that others do not appreciate? They might give things away, obey laws/those in authority, "give in" in some situations ... ?

Shouldn't the educated, cultured, thinking types considering the Christ-way realise that he or she can continue many of those things?

Answer 6

I doubt that Augustine and Aquinas would agree - but then you wouldn't be able to understand their explanations. There does seem to be a definite negative correlation between intelligence and bigotry though.

Answer 7

Because, a Christian can not think independently. He has to see the whole world through the prism of his Bible.

Answer 8

Einstein was an atheist.. It was a metaphor.

For every scientist that believes in God, a hell lot more know that they don't refer to the Biblical God. Their picture of God, if they were to derive it "rationally" will be blasphemy to your religion

Answer 9

oh gosh, i want a donut. . .

Answer 10

Wow, you are bitter.