Religious less intelligent than atheists - review of studies

[Youssuf Ramadan]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/scien ... 58046.html

Religious people are less intelligent than atheists, analysis of over 63 scientific studies stretching back over decades concludes

Study found 'a reliable negative relation between intelligence and religiosity' in 53 out of 63 studies

A new review of 63 scientific studies stretching back over decades has concluded that religious people are less intelligent than non-believers.
A piece of University of Rochester analysis, led by Professor Miron Zuckerman, found "a reliable negative relation between intelligence and religiosity" in 53 out of 63 studies.
According to the study entitled, 'The Relation Between Intelligence and Religiosity: A Meta-Analysis and Some Proposed Explanations', published in the 'Personality and Social Psychology Review', even during early years the more intelligent a child is the more likely it would be to turn away from religion.
In old age above average intelligence people are less likely to believe, the researchers also found.
One of the studies used in Zuckerman's paper was a life-long analysis of the beliefs of 1,500 gifted children with with IQs over 135.
The study began in 1921 and continues today. Even in extreme old age the subjects had much lower levels of religious belief than the average population.
The review, which is the first systematic meta-analysis of the 63 studies conducted in between 1928 and 2012, showed that of the 63 studies, 53 showed a negative correlation between intelligence and religiosity, while 10 showed a positive one.
Only two studies showed significant positive correlations and significant negative correlations were seen in a total of 35 studies.
The authors of the review looked at each study independently, taking into account the quality of data collection, the size of the sample and the analysis methods used.
The three psychologists carrying out the review defined intelligence as the "ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex ideas, learn quickly, and learn from experience".
Religiosity is defined by the psychologists as involvement in some (or all) facets of religion.
According to the review, other factors - such as gender or education - did not make any difference to the correlation between intelligence and religious belief.
The level of belief, or otherwise, did however vary dependent upon age with the correlation found to be weakest among the pre-college population.
The paper concludes that: "Most extant explanations (of a negative relation) share one central theme —the premise that religious beliefs are irrational, not anchored in science, not testable and, therefore, unappealing to intelligent people who 'know better'."
Criticisms of the conclusions include that the paper only deals with a definition of analytic intelligence and fails to consider newly identified forms of creative and emotional intelligence.
The psychologists who carried out the review also sought to pre-empt the secularist interpretation of the findings by suggesting that more intelligent people are less likely to have religious beliefs as they associate themselves with ideas around personal control.
"Intelligent people typically spend more time in school - a form of self-regulation that may yield long-term benefits," the researchers wrote.
"More intelligent people get higher level jobs (and better employment (and higher salary) may lead to higher self-esteem, and encourage personal control beliefs."

Hmmm.....

[stromboli]

We should not use studies like these as an excuse to lord it over theists that we encounter, but I know I will.  :-D

[Triple Nine]

This again? Come on guys. Intelligent or not, there are countless causes and reasons for people to be defined or define themselves as religious. People do not get to be religious by themselves. This logic completely strips religion from its social, socio cultural and economic contexts, therefore it's useless.

I was going to post a real response, but I'm lazy. So bandwagoning this post. QFT.

[Hijiri Byakuren]

therefore it's useless.

But still fucking funny. :rollin:

[LikelyToBreak]

Maybe, this is because atheists can be all that they can be.  Religious people waste time going to church, coming home from church, getting ready for church, changing their clothes after church, reading fairy tales, going to pageants, taking part in pageants, etc. etc....

All that stuff takes up time they might have had to do other things.  Like developing an interest in science by reading scifi.  Or just doing things which would otherwise expand their mental horizons, rather than trying to stay awake on an uncomfortable bench.

Just a thought.  :-k

[stromboli]

Intelligent people are more likely to keep asking questions and seeking answers beyond religion. Those complacent in their thinking are more likely to accept status quo. Secular countries produce secular people, religious countries religious people. But secular people do not tend to gravitate to religion- whereas, religious people will seek out answers and turn to secularism.

[The Whit]

Maybe, this is because atheists can be all that they can be.  Religious people waste time going to church, coming home from church, getting ready for church, changing their clothes after church, reading fairy tales, going to pageants, taking part in pageants, etc. etc....

All that stuff takes up time they might have had to do other things.  Like developing an interest in science by reading scifi.  Or just doing things which would otherwise expand their mental horizons, rather than trying to stay awake on an uncomfortable bench.

Just a thought.  :-k

^  This.

Also there is a huge handicap for children of religious parents because curiosity (the foundation of all discovery) is usually stymied.  One cannot become intelligent if one does not have that curiosity driving them to expand their knowledge.

[PickelledEggs]

Maybe, this is because atheists can be all that they can be.  Religious people waste time going to church, coming home from church, getting ready for church, changing their clothes after church, reading fairy tales, going to pageants, taking part in pageants, etc. etc....

All that stuff takes up time they might have had to do other things.  Like developing an interest in science by reading scifi.  Or just doing things which would otherwise expand their mental horizons, rather than trying to stay awake on an uncomfortable bench.

Just a thought.  :-k

Like The Whit said, ^This


All the religious people I know live for death.

[EntirelyOfThisWorld]

This again? Come on guys. Intelligent or not, there are countless causes and reasons for people to be defined or define themselves as religious. People do not get to be religious by themselves. This logic completely strips religion from its social, socio cultural and economic contexts, therefore it's useless.

How then does one explain Mormons?  They are the true rocket scientist among the religious crowd, in spite of the fact that their theology puts the wack in wacky.

[PickelledEggs]

This again? Come on guys. Intelligent or not, there are countless causes and reasons for people to be defined or define themselves as religious. People do not get to be religious by themselves. This logic completely strips religion from its social, socio cultural and economic contexts, therefore it's useless.

How then does one explain Mormons?  They are the true rocket scientist among the religious crowd, in spite of the fact that their theology puts the wack in wacky.

You're right! Their god is in space! In Kolob!  :rollin:

[stromboli]

Ironic, isn't it? A lot of fundamental research has been done in Utah and BYU is a top school, even for the sciences. I guess the reason is that the religion stresses education and Mormons are more interested in outcome than ideology. Even so, a lot of Mormons don't believe in evolution, so go figure.

[Atheon]

Doesn't surprise me one bit. They're dumb enough to believe in an invisible magic man in the sky!

[The Whit]

...This logic completely strips religion from its social, socio cultural and economic contexts...

I'll address social and socio cultural contexts together, since I'm not sure how they're different.  

       Socially religion has been used to retard or even reverse equal rights and block or resist scientific progress that improves quality of life and longevity.

       Economically: if a country's economy is like a ship, religion is like an anchor dragging across the sea floor.  It is literally complete waste.  All you do is hand over money to          people who in return feed you complete (BRONZE AGE) bullshit.  Religion adds absolutely NOTHING economically to any nation, especially the USA where they go tax free.

[LikelyToBreak]

The Whit wrote:

Also there is a huge handicap for children of religious parents because curiosity (the foundation of all discovery) is usually stymied. One cannot become intelligent if one does not have that curiosity driving them to expand their knowledge.

Good point!  =D>

I also agree with stomboli saying:

I guess the reason is that the religion stresses education and Mormons are more interested in outcome than ideology.

I had an uncle who used to teach geology at BYU, it was strange how he could compartmentalize biblical and Mormon teachings about geology and somehow justify them.  He loves to talk about Mormonism and geology, just not at the same time.

I was also thinking that the Jews love of books also has a positive influence for them, which rises over the debilitating effects of their religion.

[The Whit]

I was also thinking that the Jews love of books also has a positive influence for them, which rises over the debilitating effects of their religion.

Jewish society has for the most part valued education over religiosity.  I've met a lot of Jews, but most of them were non-practicing and practically agnostic.  They're usually very bright.  However, if you look at Jerusalem and the devout Jews that pray at the temple wall every day there is almost NO difference between them, the radical muslims, and crazy fundamentalists of the bible belt.  They're all ignorant, misogynistic, loud, racist, and prone to violence.