Stupid Religions: What do you think of this test showing that people with low IQs tend to be more religious?

Question

Consequentially people with higher IQs tend to be less religious.

The results of the study can be found here:

Importance of religion vs. IQ
http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/religion_vs_iq.html

Answer 1

I read an article in Scientific American years ago about religion and IQ. For non-scientific people, there was a mild negative correlation between education and belief in creationism, a personal god, etc. However, for scientists, there was a very strong negative correlation--people with Ph.D.'s tended be strongly atheistic.

My own experience from chatting with Mensans about their religious beliefs is that smart people tend to be unorthodox in general about religion. One fellow Mensan was a Young-Earth Creationist (!), and there were a few with liberal Christian values, but the majority were atheists, agnostics, and freethinkers.

It's obvious, to me anyways, that smart people simply are less likely to blindly trust some Religious Authority Figure (TM) and think for themselves...

Answer 2

Man you know how to push the buttons!!!.
I think that those who are more intellectual (with a higher IQ) tend to be lower in EQ. Most are borderline sociopaths.
It is rare to see someone with a high IQ to be compassionate. In fact I have never seen anyone. For example those who have a high IQ often complain of the stupid people. A trait of detached, indifferent (often lonely) individuals. They end up being sociopaths or criminals since they feel that those who are lesser than themselves should be taken advantage of and exploited. (sort of like animals). They see nothing wrong with that idea. It is indeed a sad spectacle. On the other hand I see religious people learn to be more giving and often sacrifice themselves for the sake of others. A far more noble and in my mind, a more desirable trait.
From the perspective of the alien who is a million years more advanced, these so called high IQ people are mere monkeys mimicking humans at best. (not that I am one)

Thanks for your great Q!!

Answer 3

For those who 'claim" a high IQ, without showing any proof, then you should know that
Religion IS a mental sickness and all who believe in any religion in any way ARE mentally sick.

IQ and mental health are not the same. Those with a high IQ have the potential to be mentally healthy they are not necessarily mentally healthy.

Hi IQ does not mean that one can apply their intelligence as shown by the few that have a high IQ and still believe in any religion.

For the IDIOT that claims to have an IQ of 141 and a GPA of 3.7 you must be pretty stupid for not having a 4.0. I taught myself electronics, computers, programming and networking. So you going to school for electronic means nothing

For the one that has talked to members of Mensa prove it.

For the Muslim that claims a 152 IQ get psychiatric help you are psychotic.

There’s a saying figures don’t lie but lairs do figure. Einstein’s belief in a god was his downfall. When his own math didn’t agree with what he wanted it to be he created the constellation constant and injected that in his math to prove that as in the bible the Universe was not expanding or contracting. One of his biggest mistake. The first was believing in a God. He also said that God does not play dice. Well God must if Quantum physics is correct. Another mistake.

IQ means nothing when one believes in a religion. The religious person with a high IQ is still STUPID.

Answer 4

I don't and won't claim any intelligence on any matter. Everything is up for research for me personally. Factoring in the love of reading a good book, having doubts about someone telling me it is a mystery and better yet - being told that I MUST believe sends out the search party in me. I hear the arguments, I collect the data, read [perhaps over read] all I can, take courses. reason and think through issues then come to conclusions. That is how one finds answers in my little mind. IQ - well, that is questionable.

Answer 5

My IQ is 162 and I am a member of MENSA.

I USED to be a Christian.

Until I told myself it didn't make sense 2 years ago - (when i was 18).

I think he's right.

I must disagree with Xavier K however. I am not uncompassionate because I am intelligent. I am kind and don't look down on anyone. Generalisations don't help anyone!

Answer 6

taken out of context, if you compare this generation with the generations of the past in historical sense, you would still be wrong.
consider this, one of the disciples of christ was a tax collecter it takes more intelligence to get a higher paying job, another tax collecter repaid his debts and worshipped christ and asked for forgiveness. it doesnt take a genius to do that.
however another disciple was called a physician. I think it would be more intelligence that gave LUKE his economic standing.
Pilate also believed in christ, he would have to be somewhat intelligent more than others, yet, historically when he became a member of the early christian church of saints he testified that jesus had visited him.
and throughout history, intelligence was marked by religious leaders, christian preachers had to be schooled above most people who coould not read. some were also doctors. Even in the muslim era of intelligence, there were great scientific additions to history above christianity.

no, i have to disagree with this conclusion of this test.

where people dont have to be more intelligent people dont try to be. irregardless of faith and relgion or atheism

Answer 7

even a stupid person that has found true religion and who only know to repeat the same prayer or read the same book can become wise with time. Therefore please do not insult limited people because one day they may be your masters.

Answer 8

I think that people who have lower IQs might be attracted to very fundamentalist religions because they do not wish to think for themselves, or are, perhaps, not capable of doing so. I think that religions that have a lot of "rules" relieve a believer of having to make his/her own decisions about things. Likewise, I believe that high-IQ believers generally tend to be attracted to belief systems where one is considered highly responsible for determining one's own course of action; this may be a branch of a religion that goes somewhat contrary to a very traditional branch, or it may simply be a more "modern-day" religion. Either way, I don't think you can offer a blanket statement that all religious followers are those of with low IQs; I know plenty of believers (including myself) who are members of Mensa, no less :-)

Answer 9

Matthew 11:25
[ Rest for the Weary ] At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

Answer 10

Well- intelligent people are working their asses off, no time for religion. Also- organized religion is in a class by itself. More intelligent people are more spiritual. Like me. :)