As a group, why are well educated people much less likely to be religious?

Question

There are many correlational studies that have found this dichotomy. Google it if you disagree. Get the facts, then come back and answer this question. Thanks.

Answer 1

That's because they are smart enough to speak with God on their own without any help.

Answer 2

I've wondered the same thing myself. I think it may have to do with learning about other belief structures. When people are raised to believe that their religion is the only true one and are not exposed to any other religions, their beliefs go unchallenged and often grow stronger.

Studies have found that when kids are raised by one Jewish parent and one Christian parent, if the parents agree to raise the child as one of the two religions the child is likely to stay with that religion as an adult. But if they try to raise the child as both, giving both traditions equal time, the child is more likely to belong to neither as an adult, than to choose one of the two. I heard this from a friend who is a Jewish mom with a Christian husband; they have two young children and still do not have a definite plan to handle their religious upbringing.

I was a "Comparative Cultures" major in college, which incorporated a theology minor. The more I learned about the many different religions and beliefs around the world, the more difficult it became to point to any one and say "this one is best."

The more education one pursues, the more likely one is to encounter and form close relationships with people of other faiths. This often forces a person to closely examine their own beliefs. If the beliefs do not hold up to scrutiny they are likely to be abandoned. Interestingly, not all scientists are atheists, despite what some people think.

Answer 3

The more educated one is, the more likely they are to be non-religious, non-believers and liberal. I believe it's because they know how to find information. They know how to read between the lines and research the information they find, not take things at face value. Basically, they are more able to think for themselves and not believe the religious hooey that the less educated masses crave.

The educated folks understand how science works and acknowledge the facts as they really are... they understand there are multiple meanings to the word "theory' and they know it means more than "just a guess."

Not all non-believers are intellectual and not all intellectuals are non-believers. But there is a very high percentage of non-believers who are intellectuals.

Answer 4

I don't know what "studies" you've been looking at, but the correlation you speak of doesn't exist. It's a common misperception.

There is a negative correlation between formal religious observance (attending church, etc.) and education--those who are less educated tend to spend more time in such activities. Perhaps that's what you're thinking of. As far as having/adhering to religious beliefs, though, education doesn't have a signifigant effect.

Answer 5

relies upon... is he worrying? Compassionate? Is she in love with him? Does he help with the residing house and the little ones or sit in his recliner which includes his pile of dirty socks scattered round him at the same time as he waits for her to serve him left and proper? Divorce isn't depending upon an education element, it has to do with the individuals in touch. Are the in love? Do they cope with one yet another proper? Are they waiting to speak effectively? have they were given a similar targets in existence? have they were given similar pursuits and passions? there is better to being a stunning good husband than purely being a stunning good father.

Answer 6

The preaching of the gospel is foolish to some "Intellectuals"because
if they can"t see it,they will not believe it,The Word of God ,taken
with Man:s Faith and Holy Spirit ,brakes all Chains that keeps
Man from being the Best---Air Plane Pilots can relate to this.
Here it is the voice of God He tunes my reciever to the Right Frequency,therefore I can talk to Him,He talks to me,not audiable but in the Knowing that I know. Man"s Wisdom is foolish to God

Answer 7

Beats me since Harvard, Yale and Princeton when first started were founded on Christina beliefs.

Answer 8

1 Corinthians 1:19-29
For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." (20) Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? (21) For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. (22) For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, (23) but we preach Messiah crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, (24) but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Messiah the power of God and the wisdom of God. (25) For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (26) For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. (27) But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; (28) God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, (29) so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

Answer 9

Maybe they think they don't need God anymore. Maybe they think they are a self made, self reliant, self sufficient person. Maybe they fail to give thanks to the giver of their gifts. Maybe they are putting the gift (in this case the capability to have a good education) in front of the giver.of gifts.

Answer 10

Those who have doctorate degrees in theology are pretty religious, wouldn't you say?

Answer 11

I think it is because the "lesser intelligent" people dont question things as much and try to analyze everything like you "smart folks". It is fitting that Jesus said we must become like little children to enter God's kingdom," and the Bible says, "proffessing themselves to be wise, they have become like fools".