Study Allegedly finds that Religious People are less intelligent than Atheists
A Study Allegedly finds that Religious People are less intelligent than Atheists.
Also, intelligent people are more likely to be married, and more likely to be successful in life - and this may mean they 'need' religion less.
A team led by Miron Zuckerman of the University of Rochester found "a reliable negative relation between intelligence and religiosity" in 53 out of 63 studies.
The researchers found that even in extreme old age, intelligent people are less likely to believe.
As early as 1958
As early as 1958, Michael Argyle concluded, "Although intelligent children grasp religious concepts earlier, they are also the first to doubt the truth of religion, and intelligent students are much less likely to accept orthodox beliefs, and rather less likely to have pro-religious attitudes."
1916 Study
A Study in 1916 quoted in Zuckerman's paper (Leuba), found that "58% of randomly selected scientists in the United States expressed disbelief in, or doubt regarding the existence of God; this proportion rose to nearly 70% for the most eminent scientists."
Academic Journal
The paper which was published in the Academic Journal 'Personality and Social Psychology Review' said
"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."
It is speculated that the answer may be more complex, in that intelligent people may simply be able to provide themselves with the psychological benefits offered by religion, such as 'self-regulation and self-enhancement', because they are more likely to be successful and have stable lives."
Intelligent People
The researchers write that intelligent people typically spend more time in school.
More intelligent people get higher level jobs and better employment and higher salary which may lead to higher self-esteem, and encourage personal control beliefs.
Lastly, more intelligent people are more likely to get and stay married (greater attachment), though for intelligent people, that too comes later in life.
Function of Religion
The researchers suggest that further research on the 'function' of religion may reveal more.
'People possessing the functions that religion provides are likely to adopt atheism, people lacking these very functions (e.g. the poor, the helpless) are likely to adopt theism.
Reliable Negative Relation between Intelligence
and Religiosity in the Study
What is the Relation between Intelligence
and Religiosity, if any?
In order to test the 'reliable negative relation between intelligence and religiosity,' Good Shepherd Church did a swift overview of some well known figures that have illumined our history.
Sir Alexander Fleming
Sir Alexander Fleming, FRSE, FRS, FRCS (Engl) was a Biologist, Pharmacologist and Botanist.
He qualified with an MBBS Degree with Distinction.
Sir Fleming was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1945.
He discovered penicillin, and innumerable lives have been saved as a result of this great discovery.
It is reported that when Sir Fleming was asked to what he attributed his success, he answered,
"I can only suppose that God wanted penicillin, and that this was His Reason for creating Alexander Fleming."
Sir Fleming was a brilliant intellectual, and had belief in God.
Scientist Galileo Galilei
Scientist who believed in God;
Galileo Galilei, who wrote; 'I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God Who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forego their use."
Dr Schweitzer
Dr Albert Schweitzer studied at Sorbonne University; he was a Theologian; Physician; Philosopher; Musician; Medical Missionary. Schweitzer was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952.
He was a brilliant intellectual who believed in God. Schweitzer considered his work as Medical Missionary to be his response to Jesus' Call to become 'fishers of men'.
Second Secretary Dag Hammerskjöld
Dag Hjalmar Carl Hammerskjöld was Diplomat, Economist and Author.
The Second Secretary of the United Nations, he served until his death while on Peace Mission.
He had obtained his Licentiate of Philosophy and Master of Laws Degrees.
Second Secretary Hammerskjöld was unmarried.
According to his Markings, he wrote;
"God does not die on the day when we cease to believe in a personal Deity, but we die on the day when our lives cease to be illumined by the steady radiance, renewed daily, of a wonder, the Source of which is beyond all reason."
Dr Tom Dooley
Thomas Anthony Dooley III was Physician, Humanitarian, Author, Naval Medical Officer.
He graduated from Saint Louis University School of Medicine.
His Foundation Medico assisted those in need of medical assistance, and his efforts to help those in need inspired many.
Dr Dooley died of cancer. He was a devout believer in God.
Dr Dooley was unmarried.
His friend and colleague Dr Verne Chaney Founded Dooley Intermed International;
Dr Dooley wrote in his letter to Fr Theodore Hesburgh CSC ,
"How do people endure anything on earth if they cannot have God?"
Dedicated Dooley Intermed International
Dr Martin Luther King
Dr Martin Luther King was Clergyman, Activist and Leader in the Civil Rights Movement.
Dr King graduated with a BA Degree in Sociology, B Div Degree and PhD.
His activism and dedication changed the face of society.
He wrote, "Use me, God. Show me how to take who I am, who I want to be, and what I can do, and use it for a purpose greater than myself."
Florence Nightingale OM, RRC
Florence Nightingale OM, RRC was Social Reformer, Statistician, Pioneer in Visual Presentation of Information, Founder of Modern Nursing, Author.
Ms Nightingale was awarded the Royal Red Cross, she was appointed a Lady of Grace of the Order of St John.
Ms Nightingale studied at The Institution of Kaiserswerth, and went on to take the Post of Superintendent at the Institute for the Care of Sick Gentlewomen in Upper Harley Street, London.
She had previously studied Italian, Latin, Greek, Philosophy, History, Writing and Mathematics.
Ms Nightingale was known for her intense personal devotion to Jesus Christ, and wrote in her Diary :
"God called me in the morning and asked would I do good for Him alone without reputation."
Ms Nightingale was unmarried.
Queen Beatrix
The luminous Queen Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard, former Queen Regnant of the Netherlands, studied Sociology, Jurisprudence, Economics, Parliamentary History and Constitutional Law at Leiden University.
During the course of her studies, she also attended lectures on the cultures of Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles, the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands, International Affairs, International Law, History and European Law. Queen Beatrix obtained her Law Degree in July 1961.
On 8 February 2006 Queen Beatrix was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Leiden University.
Queen Beatrix was Grand Master of the Military Order of William (Militaire Willemsorde), is the 975th Member and Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, the 1,187th Dame of the Order of the Golden Fleece in Spain.
Queen Beatrix has great faith in Almighty God. She affirmed that God's Light has come on our world and the darkness has not overcome.
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie is Bishop and Author.
Bishop McKenzie received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Later she received Master of Divinity Degree from Howard University and her Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary in Ohio.
Bishop McKenzie was elected and consecrated 117th Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Bishop has been honoured for her Leadership, Community Service and Outstanding Achievements.
http://www.10thdistrictame.org/bishop.html
Gifts of Supreme Intelligence Quantifiably
Demonstrated - and the Gift of Religiosity
The educated and accomplished people listed above all have the gifts of supreme intelligence, quantifiably demonstrated by their academic achievements, and the gift of religiosity.
The gift of religiosity by definition means the quality of being religious.
Being religious means, in essence, believing in God.
The noun religion means a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a Superhuman Agency or Agencies, usually involving devotional and religious observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
The adjective religious would thus pertain to this noun.
In conclusion, then, it would seem that the hypothesis that there is a reliable negative relation between intelligence and religiosity can be reliably disputed.
It further seems that the hypothesis that more intelligent people are more likely to get married can be reliably disputed.
See link
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