Why do people think theres any correlation of intelligence with religious belief?

Question

I'm an atheist, I positively assert there is no correlation.

What say you

Answer 1

Because less intelligent people are far more likely to be incorrect about any given topic, because they have less information at their disposal to make assertions based on.

Answer 2

Some study showed a negative correlation between education level and religiosity. Lots of people like to extrapolate that to intelligence, although the connection isn't obvious.

On the other hand, if you assert there's no correlation, surely you have some evidence to support this claim?

Answer 3

I think there is a trend that intelligence makes people more likely to reject organized religion. However I think this is not because 'only dumb people believe in God', its more a case that intelligent people usually find it harder to integrate into social institutions - look at all the bright kids who misbehave and skip school for instance.

Another factor is that intelligent people are less likely to take someone elses word for something. I'm sure that the more intellectually gifted out of the religious community would be likely to attribute their beliefs to personal experiences rather than to teachings.

Answer 4

Some would argue that there is no correlation of intelligence with atheism. I think intelligence on really sets in when one respects everybodies right to believe what they want.

Answer 5

Some people want others to believe their intelligence is in question if they believe in God. Those people are using a common bully's technique to try and manipulate people into changing to their viewpoint. Most people do not adhere to this belief.

I did notice that the statistics presented by the first answerer did not include any data later than 1965. That would indicate to me the data may be outdated and I'd be very reluctant to establish my stand using it.

Answer 6

I believe there are the logical thinkers and the non-logical thinkers(e.g. more superstitious than the logical thinkers). The non-logical thinkers tend to have a happier outlook on life (no offense) because of their way of thinking, as the logical thinkers put an emphasis on the bad things in life because that's what logic says. Logic says Santa doesn't exist, that's kind of depressing isn't it? There is intelligence on both sides, just in different ways. If we didn't have such a diverse way of thinking, if the world had only logical thinkers, than it would be a boring place.

Answer 7

There is a correlation...but it is a negative correlation; not a positive one. In other words, as one's religious belief strengthens, their intelligence weakens and vice versa. I mean, you'd have to be severely intellectually lacking if you could find it in yourself to believe that a virgin had God's baby, and the baby grew up and went around performing miracles.
If that was a story I went around telling everyone, and truly believed it, I'd be confined to a mental institution. He who believes in the histories, stories, and what have you, of any religion would have to be pretty weak in the mind if you ask me.
P.S. I'm atheist too. Gimme science anyday...God offers no proof whatsoever.

Answer 8

I agree, there's a lot of very intelligent people out there who believe in things that make little or no sense. Religious belief for whatever reason remains pretty much untouched by logic.

Answer 9

People create perceptions about religion, race, culture, color, location, wealth, and even jobs. You make it sound like making a connection, good or bad, between intelligence and religion is a stretch. It is no more of a stretch to make that connection than any other connections various groups make about other classifications.

It is a our nature to do so.

Answer 10

Itt's certainly amusing for your Avatar to be picture of someone that was a devout Catholic. To answer your question. I can tell you this I am an intelligent person and I know and Love God. I feel sorry for you,because you have no-one to turn to in your time of need