Why would people suggest that Atheists are smarter than Christians? (or Christians smarter than Atheists)??

Question

I am asking this because of the following question that was posed:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AuYzZ7GOQLZGVLe.bWaRlEvsy6IX?qid=20070608092328AAQVPve&show=7#profile-info-GPL9mBReaa

The thing that blows me away is that a number of the people that answered seemed to say "statistically Atheists are smarter", etc etc.

I want to know where these "statistics" come from. I'd also like to know how many people REALLY believe that to be true. As was noted by Beverly B in answering that question, there are both Christians and Atheists (and others) that hold PhD's, are doctors, lawyers, etc etc..

I don't believe at all that one group is any "smarter" than another. Yes, certain individuals may be smarter than others, but as a whole, I would be amazed if you could show any REAL statistics that prove either are "smarter".

I see in Fred's answer...

"Christians tend to have extremely little education"...

EXCUSE ME? Even if you think that Christians are not as "smart" (though I seem to get the impression that more people think that Christians are just less likely to question things than anything.. not that they're less smart).. Anyway.. "Extremely Little Education"???? What the heck?? Why would you even think that? I see huge numbers of Christians that go to post secondary education, etc.. So.. How is it that you think they have so little education?

I'm guessing that people that say silly things like this are somehow of the belief that all Christians are kept at home and not allowed to go to school and such.. I'm pretty sure that if you went to a church and asked how many people there had gone to university, etc, you'd find out that they certainly do have educations.

I don't really know what to say. I just thought that comment was utterly ridiculous.

Answer 1

I found this when searching for some statistics.

http://www.geocities.com/richleebruce/b/education.html

It is information on a poll that was taken.

Like I said in answer to another question, I do not believe that intelligence has a correlation to ones faith or belief system.
According to this particular poll, those that are more educated tend to admit to going to a religious service and that the more educated the more devout people tend to be, whether to a religion or to Atheism.

Answer 2

How would you describe "smarter"? I have 3 college degrees and am smarter than my sister (who doesn't) when it comes to amount of education.

My sister has 5 children and is smarter than I am (because I have one) when it comes to managing a budget that includes 7 people.

As a whole, I do not think that Atheists are smarter than Christians, nor to I think Christians are smarter than Atheists - I think any such statistics that aim to favor one over the other should be looked at very carefully, even to the point of reviewing the questions that were asked and the motivation of the group putting these statistics together.

Answer 3

(Below is the same response I posted to Princess Salmonella for basically the same question...I don't see any links to studies but I see others do, and I've definitely heard that there is a correlation between higher education and atheism.)

I don't know if I'd use the word "smarter," but I would say that most Atheists I've known were more analytical thinkers than religious people. If someone makes a flawed argument to them, they don't distrust their own minds' ability to see the flaws.

I think sometimes religious people come off as less smart because they are so afraid to question anything. If their brain kicks in with a question that might endanger the absolute certainty of their faith, they see that as evil trying to overtake them and they dismiss those thoughts.

I know VERY intelligent religious people. They just don't allow their minds to engage on anything that might lead to doubt. Which I think is crazy! If good can't exist without evil, why should faith exist without doubt?

Answer 4

Atheists make up statistics because they think it will make them look smarter, there is no basis in reality.

I would assume some are smart and some are not so smart just the same with religion, and for being so smart why do they fail to realize that whether a person believes in God or not it has nothing to do with intelligence and everything to do with the type of mentality one has. It takes a certain mentality to belong to any given religion in particular and it takes a certain mentality not to belong to one.

They have provided no evidence, just a bunch of made up numbers that keep changing by the way depending on who is making them up.

Answer 5

I think it has a great deal to do with ego, and confusion of how to explain intelligence. Most people define it as knowledge learned, but that has no impact on whether or not someone is intelligent. It just means you have the ability to memorize better. People, as a whole and a group, are generally stupid, as a rule. So we can't define any group of people as being smarter than another. Individuals are a different story all together. But that generalization cannot be made.

Answer 6

I responded to that last question. I don't think all atheists are smarter than religious people. But in GENERAL, they are because atheists tend to question and seek out answers whereas religious people usually just stick with faith and do not question religion, new ideas, possibilities, etc.

I completely agree there are Christian doctors, lawyers, etc. Like I said, it's not that Christians CAN'T be smart, it's that if someone is very inquistive and wanting to find out new answers to science, religion, etc... well, Christianity usually discourages that. Atheists have no fear of questioning.

Answer 7

I agree with you. I'd like to think that Christians are smarter, because I am one.
Did you know that 80% of all statistics are made up on the spot to support a point? (lol)
The truth is, you can't compare millions of people as a whole, to millions of people. This would be irresponsible.
But, to answer someone elses comment. There are stupid people:

Proverbs 12
1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates correction is stupid.

Answer 8

Note that no one is saying "All atheists are smarter than any Christian." What is being said is, "Studies tend to show that atheists tend to be, on average, smarter by some small amount than theists as measured by IQ, GPA, or some other indicator."

The link the first poster provided includes studies that did not find any correlation, although they are in the minority.

Answer 9

Yeah, I'm skeptical of those kinds of "statistics" too. But I do have to say that if I were to talk to a grown man who sincerely believed in Santa Claus, I'd certainly think less of his intelligence. That's kind of the reaction I have when I encounter devout Christians.

Answer 10

Whether or not they are smarter, there is no question that they are far more educated. Christians tend to have extremely little education, except regarding the tooth fairy and the like.