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Religion
In reply to the discussion: Is there a correlation between intelligence and religiosity? [View all]rug
(82,333 posts)5. You realize that's a meta-analysis?
The conclusions they extracted reinforce the self-selected nature of one of the two groups compared.
First, the authors discuss the idea that atheists are nonconformists, and that more intelligent people are less likely to conform. As the authors state, if more intelligent people are less likely to conform, they also may be less likely to accept a prevailing religious dogma.
The second possible explanation is that more intelligent persons rely more logical reasoning and empirical evidence in their belief systems. It might not be intelligence per se that leads to a lack of religious beliefs, but a cognitive style that is more critical of the prevailing religious beliefs in a community.
The third explanation offered, which is relatively new in the literature, is that religious beliefs satisfy a number of psychological functions, such as a sense that the world is orderly and predictable. The authors argue that intelligence confers a sense of personal control that negates the need for religious beliefs. A second function that religiosity might offer is greater ability to control impulses. Finally, religion might serve the function of enhancing self-esteem (most religions emphasize a personal relationship with goda superior being), and religious communities offer a sense of belonging.
The second possible explanation is that more intelligent persons rely more logical reasoning and empirical evidence in their belief systems. It might not be intelligence per se that leads to a lack of religious beliefs, but a cognitive style that is more critical of the prevailing religious beliefs in a community.
The third explanation offered, which is relatively new in the literature, is that religious beliefs satisfy a number of psychological functions, such as a sense that the world is orderly and predictable. The authors argue that intelligence confers a sense of personal control that negates the need for religious beliefs. A second function that religiosity might offer is greater ability to control impulses. Finally, religion might serve the function of enhancing self-esteem (most religions emphasize a personal relationship with goda superior being), and religious communities offer a sense of belonging.
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Is there a correlation between intelligence and religiosity? [View all]
Warren Stupidity
Nov 2014
OP
Conformity is self-selected to the extent that respondents declare it in questionaires
Brettongarcia
Dec 2014
#90
It's pretty well accepted that those family histories have historically been a rarity.
rug
Nov 2014
#55
I believe that the more fundamental you are, the less likely you are to look at other
roguevalley
Nov 2014
#17
This has been objectively documented: the average IQ in 100 countries was fairly easy to discover.
Brettongarcia
Dec 2014
#91
Professor Miron Zuckerman's study was paragraph one of my excerpt in the op.
Warren Stupidity
Nov 2014
#70
I'd think that a militant atheist such as your self would be all about this study
Lordquinton
Nov 2014
#48
well I for one agree, I am totally on board with being skeptical about your atheism.
Warren Stupidity
Nov 2014
#76
Given the quantity of your responses to this thread, this must have hit a nerve.
Warren Stupidity
Nov 2014
#40
Again, I posted simply about the available evidence that there is a correlation
Warren Stupidity
Nov 2014
#69
There are several studies referenced. The one you are referring to is the meta study
Warren Stupidity
Nov 2014
#83
Alternative hypothesis: more Protestants are smart enough to leave religion entirely
Brettongarcia
Dec 2014
#92