What is the average level of education for an atheist compared to a religious person?

Answer 1

I found a bunch of sites that said the average atheist or agnostic is better educated than a religious person, but I couldn't find the actual studies they were quoting that supports this statement.

Here are two interesting links, though:

The first is a study that shows that the average intelligence of an atheist/agnostic is higher than that of the traditionally religious, but is about the same as for people who describe themselves as "spiritual." Keep in mind that "average intelligence" across groups is a controversial metric, and can't be used to tell you anything about the intelligence of any particular individual.

The second link talks about the lower level of religiosity in certain Western European countries where the average educational attainment is generally higher than in the States. This is something that is very well documented.

Intuitively, it seems unusual to me to encounter serious challenges to theism outside of the university. It's not something younger people talk about, it's not something you are likely to discuss at work, and the teachers in high school aren't going to bring it up.

Answer 2

The difference I have seen is not the level of education, but the understanding of it. I have seen some seriously dumb, heavily educated people. I have also seen extremely sharp and knowledgeable high school dropouts.

I was one of them, really. I am finishing my second degree, and I tested every subject on both of them. Never set foot in a classroom, I had already learned the subject material on my own at a level sufficient to pass college exams on it with a mid 3 point average.

Answer 3

probable with regard to an identical. of path atheists will declare that for sure they're far extra knowledgeable yet, actual, there are sensible human beings and dumbasses in the two communities. Edit: as an occasion, look at the responses so a approaches.

Answer 4

I have a MA in sociology, and a BSN. I have always sought my own answers. I can feel what is accurate, and what is designed to create the feelings of individuals to rationalize their behavior with the belief that they will be forgiven by some Omnipotent deity. The creation of the feelings of guilt is the tool that is the most powerful. It's amazing how powerful that manipulation is for the use of social control.

Answer 5

I would suggest that atheists who are atheists because of a reasoned view rather than because they are disinterested are vastly more intelligent than religious people who have fallen into the religion and followed all teachings and faith blindly.

For reference, an Atheist believes in the non existence of God. To believe in the non existence of something you must believe in the possibility of the existence of that object, therefore you cannot logically fully believe in it's non existence as there is always that doubt. Therefore nobody CAN be right or wrong so we are all better off keeping open minds!

Answer 6

Regardless of their level of education, 50% of them will be "below average".

(Oh yeah. Alright. The other 50% will be "above average")

Answer 7

Just depends. There are people who are intelligent who believe in some sort of religion, and there are not so smart ones too. Those who believe without doubts or without giving any thought to what they believe are generally not to bright in everything they do.

Answer 8

I know 3 people who are atheists and all of them are in college now.

Answer 9

No difference at all. The difference is in a belief in the supernatural - which is above the natural attributes of logic, reasoning, education, etc.

Answer 10

Never heard of any studies. My wife is an atheist and she is pretty smart lady, just doesn't know everything obviously.