Atheists: Do you think religion brings down the intelligence of our country?

Question

if so, why?

Answer 1

Not necessarily religion, but things like the Creation Museum...that does.

Answer 2

The denial of Evolution and the existence of a Creationism Museum, with dinosaurs in the Ark pretty much speaks for itself.

If the Bible claimed that the Moon was made of cheese, religious people would deny the missions to the moon findings and claim that he astronauts were lying atheists possessed by the devil.

Evolution is irrefutable by all serious scientists and biologists, but theologians speak as if they are experts in both fields because the scientific findings don't support hypothesis in the bible. Relying on a theologian for science is like going to a indigenous, secluded native to learn about the bible and God, and then believing everything the native says without question. Christians would never do this, but will listen to Robertson tell them that the Gays are responsible for Hurricane Katrina, and that Evolution is made up by the millions of scientists making discoveries daily.

Answer 3

It shouldn't but it does. Look at the school results from highly religious states and them compare them to New York, California or almost anywhere not in the South or Mid West, the numbers speak for themselves. These people would rather be speaking in tongues and messing about with snakes than learning basic reading skills.

Lets not even get started on the whole creationist joke and 'museum'.

Answer 4

It brings down science in our country to a point. Imagine how much more we could do if we had the possibility of pulling talent from the entire population instead of less than half of it.

Answer 5

besides the very incontrovertible truth that i'm no longer an Atheist, i want to point that I rejected the Southern Baptist church i replaced into raised in. i don't like the idea of attending a Catholic, Lutheran, or Penecostal church. i don't like on your face Christians who ask once you're kept. even although i'm kept and that i'm a Christian who replaced into baptized by selection there are a decision of church homes, Christians, and Christian behaviors that I disagree with.

Answer 6

I can't say that it brings down intelligence but it does try and suppress scientific discovery and general tolerance. It greatly reduces how we are viewed by other countries as far as our intellectual abilities go.

Answer 7

We are the laughing stock of the rest of the civilized world already. If we don't move to get the religious right's fingers out of our government, America will not be a world power much longer.

Answer 8

Yes, yes and yes.

National Park rangers aren't even allowed to state the age of the Grand Canyon anymore. 5,000 people went to the creationist museum on its first day. Speaks for itself really.

Answer 9

I think for some people it is a mental roadblock. Instead of investigating a phenomenon, they are comfortable saying "God is mysterious in his ways." But for other believers, scientific discovery is a path to explore God's ways.

Answer 10

Religion and religious teachings hurt our intellectual credibility. "Intelligent Design" and the creationist "museum" are two obvious examples.