"People who have faith . . . are not as smart as others"

[Smart_Guy]

Obviously, since I was a believer most of my adult life

Ciao

- iole

And in that period you learned different languages? This figures

You misspelled Viole, by the way

 

[viole]

And in that period you learned different languages? This figures

Yes, always been a genius. Lol.

You misspelled Viole, by the way

It was not me. It was me + beer.

Ciao

- viole

 

[Skwim]

The problem arises when correlating intelligence or lack thereof with religiosity as though they exist in a vaccuum.

Has someone done this? If so, who?

There is also a correlation that shows the less educated a population, the more strongly religious it seems to be.

Yes it does.

source
​

Gaps in knowledge are filled with god.

Unfortunately, yes.

The more understanding you have of the world, the fewer gaps there are to wedge god into.

Stands to reason.

This is a lack of education, not a lack of intelligence.

So what? The study wasn't referencing education.


.

 

[buddhist]

Which "faiths" did these researchers study?

Early Buddhism involves alot of analytical thought, and faith is only the initial starting point, intended to drive the Buddhist disciple to practice, knowledge, and then belief.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

Which "faiths" did these researchers study?

Early Buddhism involves alot of analytical thought, and faith is only the initial starting point, intended to drive the Buddhist disciple to practice, knowledge, and then belief.

They didn't study faiths, they asked whether people believed in god or a higher power, whether and how often they attended church or other religious activities, and how important belief/religion was in their lives, and perhaps a couple of similar questions...I'd really have to go back and read the article again...they did not ask about which religion or institution they were associated with. As I recall, most if not all of the eight reported studies were internet-based.

 

[Skwim]

Which "faiths" did these researchers study?

Early Buddhism involves alot of analytical thought, and faith is only the initial starting point, intended to drive the Buddhist disciple to practice, knowledge, and then belief.

HERE'S The study, and from my quick glance through it I don't believe they identified any faiths.


.

 

[Riverwolf]

The problem arises when correlating intelligence or lack thereof with religiosity as though they exist in a vaccuum. There is also a correlation that shows the less educated a population, the more strongly religious it seems to be. Gaps in knowledge are filled with god. The more understanding you have of the world, the fewer gaps there are to wedge god into. This is a lack of education, not a lack of intelligence.

While in my experience, those of us who are fairly well-educated while maintaining some form of theistic belief, tend to avoid filling in those gaps with Gods.

 

[Smart_Guy]

To the title:
It is interesting how some people with faith contributed in scientific fields like astronomy, biology, chemistry, physics and math.

*COUGH* Muslims *COUGH*

Unless that does not qualify as smart

 

[psychoslice]

If we as humans relied on faith, we would have disappeared years ago.

 

[ThePainefulTruth]

​

I find this very surprising. I've always attributed the refusal of the faithful to consider the significance of science in explaining the world, to their need to hold fast to the security of religion. Not that it's an actual inability..

I don't think it is an inability, at least not initially. I think the ability to reason atrophies with disuse.

 

[sandy whitelinger]

I find this very surprising. I've always attributed the refusal of the faithful to consider the significance of science in explaining the world, to their need to hold fast to the security of religion. Not that it's an actual inability.
.

I've solved this problem by believing both sides.

 

[sandy whitelinger]

If we as humans relied on faith, we would have disappeared years ago.

Really, you rely on faith every time you drive over a bridge and, yet, you still seem to be here.

 

[psychoslice]

Really, you rely on faith every time you drive over a bridge and, yet, you still seem to be here.

That is true, but there is a bridge, and the chances of it falling down when driving over it is just about zero.

 

[popsthebuilder]

No-ones downplaying their achievements. "Inhibitory" doesn't equate with total blockage in all cases.

Faith doesn't hinder cognitive function. Being closed minded does. This can happen to the atheist or faithful. Bias is crippling to the learning process in all forms.

 

[popsthebuilder]

The empathetic or emotional functions and problem solving or analytical functions of the mind work much more efficiently together, as opposed to against each other. People who insist on an absolute material existence, and that being the limit thereof are being biased assuming and closed minded.

 

[ThePainefulTruth]

Faith doesn't hinder cognitive function. Being closed minded does. This can happen to the atheist or faithful. Bias is crippling to the learning process in all forms.

Blind faith and closed minded are synonymous. Faith, as a word for emotional investment, when guided by reason, is vital.

The empathetic or emotional functions and problem solving or analytical functions of the mind work much more efficiently together, as opposed to against each other. People who insist on an absolute material existence, and that being the limit thereof are being biased assuming and closed minded.

You might wanna edit that.

 

[popsthebuilder]

Blind faith and closed minded are synonymous. Faith, as a word for emotional investment, when guided by reason, is vital.



You might wanna edit that.

Being blind to different things, courses, reasons, understanding, communication, viewpoints, conclusions, is caused by bias and greed for acquisition of material gain, hatred, and, or fear, not Faith. Yes, blind faith, as in going off on a tangent that isn't supported by scriptures can, and has been detrimental. But one can have faith in an ultimate creative force without denying adaptation, or evolution on some level. Just the vastness, mathematical truth, and nearly unfathomable diversity of observable existence seems to support intelligent design to me. The very will of life to live and thrive is testament to the will of GOD, for me at least. The conscience, that all have, yet most ignore, medicate, or manipulate away too seems to lean towards an objective morality, unity, cohesion, and harmony.
We can hardly define the laws that bind our material existence, let alone their reasons or origins, but we want to claim knowledge that we know there is no GOD?

It goes against logic to me to think such.

Peace

 

[ThePainefulTruth]

Being blind to different things, courses, reasons, understanding, communication, viewpoints, conclusions, is caused by bias and greed for acquisition of material gain, hatred, and, or fear, not Faith. Yes, blind faith, as in going off on a tangent that isn't supported by scriptures.....

And thus completing the circle back to blind faith. Scripture is nothing but hearsay....ancient hearsay.

 

[popsthebuilder]

And thus completing the circle back to blind faith. Scripture is nothing but hearsay....ancient hearsay.

Opinion, assumption, and biased viewpoint based on selfish motives.

I'm sorry but the ancient writings of men who devoted there entire existence to the direction of others for their sakes, often in the face of death isn't heresy. On what grounds can you justify your claim? There isn't anything blind about Faith or scriptures. Having faith in GOD and having faith in the erroneous doctrine of man are two opposite things.

Peace


Edit:

Oh, wow, you said hearsay, not heresy. My bad. If it was just hearsay then why do scriptures from different cultures and times all speak of the same principals? If man just made this stuff up to control others then why are the writings unified in their core messages? If it's fake then why does it cause real reactions within the selfless conscience?

Peace again

 

[Milton Platt]

My own anecdotal evidence is I was still highly intelligent when I was religious, but it used to be that was all I knew. Nothing changed except my exposure to the world and gaining new insights as I was exposed to new ideas.

I agree....it isn't about intelligence, it is about education.