Atheists: do you consider yourself intellectually superior to those who subscribe to a religion?

Question

Any religion? Only certain religions? Fundamentalists? Or no one?

I've known some atheists who genuinely believe that they are, and some who don't think they are at all. I know it's an individualized thing and that's why I'm asking you individually instead of making a blanket statement.

C.L. Rich: I asked THEM, not you. Don't impose your presuppositions on others. That's a miserable way to live.

Answer 1

Not superior, just....more reasonable.

Answer 2

Yeah, what fishy and the first three guys said.

I'm not an atheist, I just don't buy any of the religions I've been exposed to do to a lack of evidence and a lack of rational thought in those who believe.

Show me a religion that makes sense and can be verified, or even maybe only makes sense and I'm on board.

I have found some predictive ability in some aspects of birth astrology, but I admit that I don't believe in the reasons that astrologers give nor do I 'believe' in astrology, just that I've found some consistent predictability in birth and base personality, in my experience. It's not a sacred cow to me nor is it anything I would criticize anyone for not buying into. There are many possible rational reasons why a person born in a particular season with different weather etc. might have a different personality. I would never use it against science or reason.

Who knows?

You do have to wonder about the intelligence and maturity of people who just accept things on 'faith' because someone said so.

Answer 3

First off, thank you very much for not grouping us all together. While i am Christian i have met a few that i can admit, make us all look bad. And i'm wondering where exactly they are getting their hateful, judgmental and bigoted ideas, as their personal views as a whole are not substantiated by the Bible. Peronally, i do not think that i am morally superior to anyone. The concept of good morals and character is not isolated to only the religious; just as indecent and depraved morals aren't isolated only to the atheistic. There are 'good' and 'bad' people everywhere regardless of their thoughts on God. Evidence of this is Athiests that are humanitarians, and Pastors that are perverts. LOL And the last time i checked, the prisons were filled wall to wall with people of all faiths. So i would say, that the inbuilt concepts of right and wrong < the essentials of good morals> highly depend on the individuals personal convictions, not necessarily their religious opinions or beliefs; Although the percentage rate for integrity [and good morals] is slighly higher among the religious, there still is that variable percent. But me? Personally, as i said, i do not consider myself better than anyone, and i do not think that i have a better morals than the next person. I really think it depends on the individual. Hope that Helps. ♥ ** i addressed the 'moral' question, not the 'spiritual' one. If someone does not believe in God < or in any religion> i do not think they could qualify as 'spiritual.' To be a 'spiritual' person, you have to identify yourself with a high power, regardless of what you call it.

Answer 4

I think Francis Collins, who figured out how to map the Human Genome, would run circles around me in the Classroom. He'd be gracious about it too (he's quite nice in person, and very non-confrontational about his Christian beliefs [despite writing a book about them]).


Having said that, it is a fallacy to think that all intelligent people are secular, but statistically more intelligent are non-religious than are religious. I don't know what that means, but since I'm not a Mensan like Solly (apparently) it doesn't really mean diddly squat for me.

Answer 5

Superior? No. I don't think I am superior to anyone...not even my kids for very long..lol

I do think I am happier than most who believe in a god. I obey the laws and I know right from wrong, but I don't worry about serving anyone or going to hell etc for doing something... I am free.

How many people can say that?

Answer 6

I consider myself intellectually superior to most humans -- theist and atheist alike -- and have the test scores to prove it.

That having been said, I wouldn't say that atheists have some inherent intellectual advantage over theists, except perhaps their ability to accept claims only to the extent that the evidence warrants...

Answer 7

I was going to say that this isn't the type of question you can ask directly and expect an honest answer, but since roughly half of the atheists believe that they are intellectually superior, I guess I was proven wrong.

Answer 8

There are religious people who have more studying under their belts than I do. I think that they are possibly holding themselves back when everything in their mind thinks logically except a little god-box packed away in the back.
If the person is agnostic, deist, or pantheist....I've no issue with it.

Answer 9

No.

I know several Christian who are far more intelligent than I.

I simply recognize that the god concept is logically impossible and they don't. I understand that there are several psychological barriers (and perhaps even biological ones, as new theories suggest) that might prevent them from escaping a religious perspective.

Answer 10

I consider myself intellectually superior to 95% of the population. The beliefs held by those people are a non-sequiter to me.

Answer 11

i believe most people have the same capacity to learn. some just choose to remain ignorant on certain issues. so to answer your question. no, i don't consider myself intellectually superior.

to put it another way, it takes a great amount of time to study to use certain pieces of mechanical or electrical equipment. i choose not to learn how to use most of it. i prefer to remain ignorant on a lot of it. does that make someone who is a specialists at operating something like a forklift intellectually superior to me? no.