In general, most generalizations are useless.


Seriously, you're argument is defeated by the many thousands of people who have become religious as adults. Then take into account the thousands that were 'intelligent' adults. Sure many have gone the other way, but it shows that simple hypothesis like yours are far too simplistic.

What the study showed is correlation. This could have many reasons. For example, in the 60's there was probably a correlation between intelligence and being socialist, because it was a popular idea in the academic culture at the time. Did it mean it was the 'most intelligent' idea....who knows. History has probably shown that it is not.

All in all, if someone takes the study to mean more than it does, they are no more intelligent that those they propose to belittle with it.

Generalisations are not useless. They are good guidlines. Just guidelines.

Atheisims is the fastest growing religion in Europe. Arguably on the most well educated contients.

I am aware that a lot of adults of high intelligence became Theists. However this number is crushed by the amount of people who became Atheists.

My hypothesis is simplistic but does hold truth. There are probably loads of other reasons why Athiests are smarter but smart people generally question authority, they are not sheep. Atheists are people who go against the grain in most societies (Although in the UK Athiesm could be considered the norm, and religion in the UK is always made a mockery of)

Where did you get this? Just wondering.... Christianity is growing in China to the tune of about 1 million per year.

So adult theists also believe Santa Claus exists?

So athiesm is a the religion adhered to by smart people?

No...he said EUROPE.

atheism is not a religion in the sense that we use religion in this forum. Religion refers to a worship of a god or supernatural being. It involves a shared set of beliefs and observances.

Atheism is the lack of belief in a god. Nothing more. just an irk of mine.

Going against the grain isn't a sign of intelligence. Its meaningless in itself. Often, the grain is the grain because its the best method. I'm of course not arguing that religion is the best method merely that you're making some poor reasoning and generalizations.

That is a tiny percentage of the total Chinese population, but it makes sense, as Christianity has historically flourished among the impoverished and uneducated, which are unfortunately the majority of today's Chinese.

It's a safe bet that as the average income and education level in China increase that the number of Chinese calling themselves "Christian" will drop, just as it has in Europe, America, and elsewhere.

Yes, that is quite a large amount...

Isn't China an offcial atheistic state created by smart atheists that routinely supresses, imprisons, tortures, and harvests the organs of religious people?

No dude. A story about some magical being who punishes people who do bad and rewards people who do good? What kind of an idiot would believe that sort of thing?

they also don't believe in unicorns. damn those aunicornists with their lousy human right records!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pokerlogist
Isn't China an offcial atheistic state created by smart atheists that routinely supresses, imprisons, tortures, and harvests the organs of religious people

You actually believe that the supression of religion by a state with an official policy of atheism is just a coincidence?

It has nothing to do with atheism the repression is political.

Or at least that is the go to reason when its religion doing the repressing.

I'm just saying that any state that is officially atheistic is more likely to supress belief in God than a state that is offcially "anti-unicorn" (and not atheistic). China's supression of religion is not a random choice. This seems straightforward.

I think what you guys mean to claim is that there is nothing inherent in atheism that makes it intolerant of other's beliefs. This can start another thread.

no need, its been done many times before and most theists posters ignore it and continue in their ignorance. The ones that don't already are smart enough to understand this very basic principle, so such a thread would be useless for them.

If you find this convincing, how much more convincing the billions that dont, amirite?

Any state that is officially religious is far, far more likely to suppress belief in God, imo.

Is that true? There are only a couple of examples of officially atheist states that I am aware of and they have been pretty hard on religion. I am speaking of the Soviet Union and China specifically. Some of the smaller states in Eastern Europe were essentially conquered states so I would not consider those to be independent examples either way. Are there examples of officially atheist states that have been tolerant of religion? I do not believe that secular states with religious heritage such as those of Western Europe are examples as they are not officially atheist.

Ok, good point. I cant imagine the circumstances that would lead up to a state declaring itself "officially atheist" that wouldnt include some sort of attack on religion, justified or otherwise. If Norway becomes 100% atheist they will still almost certainly not declare themselves "Officially atheist." In fact you could argue that the concepts "declared officially atheist" and "tolerant of religion" are basically mutually exclusive.

I should say that states overwhelmingly atheist are more tolerant of religion than states overwhelmingly religious?

It is a small percentage....merely a statement to rebut his statement here:

Originally Posted by turn & fall View Post

I am aware that a lot of adults of high intelligence became Theists. However this number is crushed by the amount of people who became Atheists.

We aren't talking percentages or political repression... just wondered where he got his stats from that crush the number of new Christians.

I was just joking. Im not really into defending the idea atheism can't be oppressive to religion because i think it can be.

Be careful how you do that.... Aro will never forget if you level him once.

They supress everyone who says anything bad about the government, regardless of whether they are religious or atheist.

It has ZERO to do with religion.

I am fully Chinese so don't give me bull**** about China when you don't know anything about situation.

I will be the first to say how much China sucks on various issues but the idea that they supress religion specifically is 100% false (since the 1980's). You can believe (or not believe) whatever you want, but you can't say anything bad about the government or organize anti-government rallies (which is a violation of free speech, but it has nothing to do with religion).