Is it true that atheists think they're better and smarter than everyone else?

Answer 1

No of course not. I'm atheist and I don't think that.
I think everyone has a right to believe whatever they want.
I think that some people from every religion think that they are better/smarter than others, so I wouldn't say just atheists do.
Religion doesn't make the person, the person makes the religion, by how they practice it and how they treat others who aren't that religion.

Answer 2

It is not true, but there may be statistical evidence that it is true in fact.

Two distinct issues may be present. First, there was a large scale sociological study on the impact of religion on grades, failure rates, preparedness for college and observable inquisitiveness.

In particular, children of fundamentalists had as a group sharply lower grades, higher failure rates, were less prepared for college and were observably less inquisitive.

On the other hand, that effect existed for no other group. So atheists are not better or smarter than EVERYONE else, but the children of Catholics, Atheists, Buddhists, Presbyterians and so forth were demonstrably different than the children of fundamentalists.

Second, I suspect that since atheism is so strongly counter to the culture, the people most likely to adopt it are the people most likely to try and reason out their own beliefs. Since this tends to require a higher level of rationality than the whole population on average (only 40% of the population ever acquires deductive reasoning according to psychological studies), it is likely atheists come out of the brighter side of the gene pool.

I suspect this was also true of early Christianity. While it was counter culture in the Roman Empire, adoption generally was by people who reasoned it out as a superior understanding of the world when compared to paganism of the day. I suspect the early "fathers," were the best and brightest of their time. Early Christians were among the brightest, until it was the norm, then it would likely be the "rational deviants" who found superior solutions to new problems as they arose.

The atheists I know wouldn't hold that belief, that they are better or smarter, but I do think it is probably statistically true.

Answer 3

I'm atheists and I don't think that at all. I'm sometimes embarrassed about how little I know compared to other people. There will always be someone better and smarter. I just try to be the best me.

Answer 4

I'm sure a few think that, but it's not universally true. Just like I'm sure there are a few Christians that think they're more spiritually enlightened than everyone else, but it's not true of all Christians.

Answer 5

is it true that v thinks he is better and smarter than everyone else?

points

Answer 6

The only thing we can say for certain about atheists is that they do not believe in the existence of a deity.

Answer 7

I'm an atheist and I don't think I'm better or smarter thatn anyone else. I do know that I'm smarter than a fool who would ask a stupid question like that, though.

Answer 8

I have found that many of the atheists I encounter do exhibit some arrogance, but its really because they feel attacked by anyone who's religious. Still, its really not true that anyone is stereotypically one way or another.

Answer 9

No, it is true that atheists are generally more educated though. Conversely the less educated someone is the more inclined they are towards religion. Being more intelligent doesnt mean that one feels superior though...the smarter someone is the more they realize we're all the same.

Answer 10

Some do, some don't. Same with Chrisians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Wiccans and any other belief (or non-belief) system you can name.