Do athiest really believe Christians have limited intelligence?

Question

Or is this just another form of an attack against religion? Another reason to not believe? Because then you wouldn't be intelligent? Am I right, do you really believe this? Politeness is appreciated. Thanks in advance

Answer 1

I cannot believe the answers and the ignorance of people. I also don't know where you get your statistics. I have read more generalizations about Christians that are totally false.

I am more than reasonably intelligent. I didn't put my faith in Christ until I was 37, so no generalizations that i've been "indoctrinated" with religion. I know and have believed all the other new agey things, but Christianity is the only proof of God and who He is.

I'm a medical chemist. My church is run by a board of about 10 pastors. 2 have been to seminary. The other ones consist of a PhD in geology, BA in chemistry, 2 electrical engineers. ER doctor, parole officer, mechanical engineer, another one has multiple degree in botany, biology, nuclear physics.

In my field and in a lot of science fields, we don't believe something unless it can be proven. Every Bible study I've taken has used 3 or 4 other instances to prove things in the Bible. Almost everything isn't written only once. The account of Jesus as kinsman redeemer is written in the book of Genesis and there were passages in Ezekial, etc to prove it. It is just so cool. I seriously pity the people that make generalizations about Christians being ignorant and yet also say that they respect and tolerate people....except Christians??

Another observation I've made about us Christians which could be the reason you have the statistics about the lack of education among us. Every Christian I know has realized that they can't make it through this life on their own. You know how it says that it's hard for a rich man to get to Heaven? It's because they can basically buy anything they need, including friends. They have superficial friends in the clubs, etc that they hang out. It's when people are poor, or ill, or lonely, when they cry out to God for help and He hears them. I used to stay away from "born again" Christians, but I never had the negative stereotypes that people on this board have.

Answer 2

Personally I thin religion has very little to do with intelligence. Yeah, I used to be an Athiest and I thought that smart people were unable to believe in God. But I've only learned loads more since then and am now Christian. I surround myself with intelligent people, all of them happen to be Christian. An intelligent person in my eyes, would be someone who studies all religion and makes up their mind on what is right for them. "Christians" who believe in Christ just because mommy and daddy do or because it is "cool: or whatever are stupid. As are Athiests who understand little about other people's religions.

Intelligence is important and I really feel one should be knowledgable and tolerant of everyone's religions. So that person is intelligent, whether they are Christian, Athiest, Muslim, whatever. Most people of any religion are pretty stupid, these days. Look around you, the world is filled with stupidity. Don't blame it on religion. Blame it on free will and laziness.

Answer 3

I am not purposely trying to offend you, but the are certain facts that come into play here.

Statistically speaking, religious liberals like Unitarian Universalists, United Church of Christ and Presbyterians are as a group more highly educated, based on the number of advanced degrees held and accomplishments cited in sources like Who's Who. Atheists score similarly. So, although they may not always express it in the most tactful way, there is hard evidence to support the fact (not belief, but fact) that atheists are on average more intelligent and more highly educated than the average Evangelical Christian (this group ranks lower in degrees of higher education and accomplishment as measured by the sources previously cited). This is not to say that a given Evangelical might not be more intelligent that a given atheist. These are broad generalization, based on measurable statistics.

Answer 4

I think everyone would agree that there is no logical argument or objective evidence that you could show to a rational, intelligent person that would in itself convince him of the existence of any gods. Religious belief is a matter of faith, which is a non-rational way of forming beliefs. So, if you equate rationality with intelligence, then it would seem to be the case that the more intelligent (rational) a person is, the less likely they are to be religious. People often say that this assumption is born out by statistical evidence, and intuitively that would seem right to me, but I haven't seen such evidence myself.

Answer 5

OK I'm Agnostic, but no I don't think Christians have limited intelligence. I don't agree with what some of them say, nor do I live by their belief systems, but I think diversity in this world is a great thing. I like to be respected for my beliefs and in turn I do the exact same.

I do have a few issues with some of the hypocrisy within the Catholic church, but that's a whole other question......

Answer 6

All atheists aren't the same any more than all christians are.

Yes, I think you'll get some atheists who say "all christians are stupid." Most of us don't believe that, however.

I think when it comes to the level of debate, specifically on here, you will find that when honest, difficult questions are asked of christians, very few honest answers are given. Many will take the dodge of "you'll see I'm right when you're dead" which doesn't do much to bolster the idea that they are arguing from a point of intelligence.

So, I don't mean to dodge here. I guess I'm trying to say that I don't think ALL christians have to be necessarily dumb. But the majority of them on here appear to be.

And I am *thrilled* when I get an intelligent christian to debate with. I genuinely like the challenge as do most atheists.

Thanks for your question :)

Answer 7

I think statistically that the higher the education level, the less likely the person is to be Christian. I don't think education is necessarily related to intelligence, though, and I personally don't believe Christians are less intelligent than those who don't believe. Maybe those with higher education levels tend to believe more in science and can't accept the fact that there might be more to this world than what we can see.

Answer 8

I think that sometimes the dialog between atheists and believers (not just Christians) gets heated, just like the dialog between political parties gets heated. Some folks on each side go farther than they should to make a point.

Most atheists think believers are just as smart as we are, but come to different conclusions.

Answer 9

I think those who do not think too deeply into their religion (regardless what that religion is) and follow blindly without thinking for themselves and analyzing why they believe what they believe - those are the people with limited intelligence. They come in all religious and non-religious flavors.

Answer 10

I personally do not believe the majority of my Christian brothers and sisters are any less intelligent than my atheist brothers and sisters. We simply disagree when it comes to religion and religious matters. It's petty for any group to use ad hominems in place of rational arguments.