why is an atheist usually smart., or a smart person usually ends up an atheist?

Saviour-V teleports in... Whenever I read a topic on religion, typed by those who don't believe in them, I just shake my head and go, "Here we go again!" The thing is, belief in God is belief in the unseen. And while I am a Muslim, I can be quite a skeptic to a certain degree, especially where ghosts are concerned, for instance. Still, just because one can't see something, it doesn't mean it isn't there. Gravity and magnetism are two things you can't actually see. Belief makes it possible to see something, whether it is either the truth, or an outright lie. But some of us will never know until this Earth finally meets its end. And speaking of being skeptical (to a certain degree), I often thought that ghosts were nothing more than imaginary figments. That is, until I witnessed an unnerving sight in the office a year ago - and I wasn't the only person who saw it. I still find that sensationalized ghosts sightings in tabloids are absolute garbage, but that one personal ghost sighting has had a profound effect on me. So, it really boils down to what you believe, and what you're willing to believe in. Atheists and believers aren't the same, but they're also part of the same coin of life. I think that the best thing to do is just smile, say, "God be with you." and just move on. There's really no need to argue. Although, frankly speaking, some of us are quick to anger these days, aren't we? ^_^ Saviour-V bows to sutanhartanto, before he teleports out again...

That's definitely a hasty conclusion you got there. Just because you're atheist doesn't mean you're smarter. I've seen people who are atheist and they're so dumb, it's not even funny. And I've seen believers that are super smart. I think that's like saying black people are smarter than white people or vice versa. Everyone is different and some people are smart, some are not. :D

Athiests generally are people who have been hurt by religion. A lot of times they are angry and argumentative. Athiests as a general rule believe in themselves and are very proud people, not necessarily more intelligent or smarter. It doesn't do any good to quote the Bible (a book they don't believe in) to them. It would be like quoting the book of Morman to a Christian. The best plan of action is to show an athiest kindness and tolerance. They are more likely to watch what you do then listen to what you say.

they become smarter that us believers because they always find reasons. But is that what smart really means? Having to deny the existence of someone greater? I don't think so. Are they really smart? Maybe they are full of logic and reasons. We may call them radical being. But, the fact that deny the God who creates us all, they are no smart people. They just think they are smart. I am not against them but I hope they would realize that a God exist.

Dear brother, from your notes I understand that you believe in your own self. If you are able to understand your self that will do. It is equalant to one who sees the God, the supreme consciousness. If you act according to your consciousness that is enough because preaching a religion or religious principles is very easy but when it comes to practice many wont do justice to themselves. So whatever be your belief /relgion, always do good ,be kind hearted towards the poor and needy, have a helping mind and be considerate towards your brotheren. Please be sure that you are not this body but the soul within which is pure and iternal. So no one is a sinner. People do sins when they go after their selfishness, lust and anger and become the slaves of their mind.

John Stuart Mill once said (I paraphrase), "One doesn't have to be stupid to be a conservative, but most conservatives are stupid". I would suggest the reverse is also true, one doesn't have to be smart to be an atheist, but most atheists are smart. I should add, I'm not an atheist, although I was at one stage in my long life; I would now call myself an agnostic when it comes to religion (I don't know if "God/Goddess" exists, and can't until I die) and a humanist in my approach to life, the universe, and everything. As for what you say about the different arguments, you must keep in mind that atheists seek proof (which doesn't logically exist) and religionists seek faith, which makes proof unnecessary. Never the twain shall meet. Lash

HMM.. SMART? INTELLIGENT CAN BE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS....and of course i do not agree with you on this one though.But i have nothing to comment either...just wanted to say how r you doing?

I don't think that atheist are smart people they just say sharp words to fully defend what they believe in. It is more on like, I don't like ice cream, with that I will give you million of reasons about ice cream, how it is done, how it will affect my health, how unhealthy it is as a food and so many other information about it and mostly negative ones. With that I tend to be so well learned about ice cream, for the reason that if people ask me why, I can answer them or if people find me weird I can also say they are more weirder.

I don't think that atheists are in general smarter. For one, this assessment is made off of western standards. Western thinking may have become predominant, but that doesn't mean it is the only way of thinking. There are many truths and understandings which have come out of the eastern mindset. Many today shuck them, but that doesn't make them any less insightful. In fact, the way we judge intelligence is by western standards as well. IQ tests, academic degrees, SAT scores, etc...these are all western standards for judging intelligence and so in America if one does not do well by these standards we consider them as not intelligent. What we consider intelligent comes from a biased standpoint. Also, atheists might be intelligent in some areas but I have noticed can be very ignorant in other areas, this is of course in general and not all atheists. For instance, how many atheists have you seen who have made claims similar to, this is one I encountered recently, the one where the bible is ignorant on science because the bible claims that grasshoppers have 4 legs, Lev 11:22? Does it seem reasonable that someone who was eating an insect would not know the difference between 4 and 6 legs? These are people who are cooking and eating them, so reason would suggest something else is meant here. Of course that does not stop them from making silly comments like this. Their intelligence cannot be counted for much in this area when claims like this are made; and even Richard Dawkins made similar comments before so it is not confined to the internet gurus. This is also only counting particular types of intelligence. People forget the many areas of intelligence when discussing over it. There is musical intelligence, mechanical intelligence etc. I knew a guy who most regarded as stupid, high school dropout and working as a machinist. Though, and he has no formal training mind you, let him at your car and he intuitively could understand exactly how it was running after only listening to it and driving it for five minutes. He tore down and rebuilt engines in his sleep. Though, ask him about the Pythagorean Theorem(sp?) and he would get a blank stare in his eyes. Counting science, grammar, and mathematics as the main points of intelligence is to ignore the countless other areas. Of course, you sound like you based this assertion after your experiences online. That will limit your perspective. Plenty of believers of various religions flock to these sites and often times come horribly prepared. Atheists who flock to those same discussion have had a lot of preparation to deal with surface arguments, sometimes even deeper, since they are constantly being assailed from the evangelistic theists out there. Honestly, I wouldn't ever link intelligence to religious belief.

Are you going to tell me that I am not smart because I am not an atheist LOL. Yeah, I have never state myself as an atheist nor believer, but I don't have any religion, that's for the first introduction so that there would be no more question about that. I saw what you have seen, and I understand why are you thinking like that. I have never involved in any religious-atheist debate because they would never meet in one conclusion in the end because they are debating about two different thing. For you it might look the same but for me it just totally different. While an atheist argues about things that they can think about, and be logical about that, the believer argues with the dogmatic statement. Why the atheist looks smart is that because they argue with their logic, and believer argue with their dogma. Since dogma cannot be logically explained, we cannot force the logic to enter the dogmatic arguments. That is why I said, involving myself in such discussion would only wasting my time LOL But logically, I can explain the answer of your question in the title: the atheist is trained to use their logic and ask about many things that is why they learned to know the truth and to get the answers of their questions. They used their gray cell in the brain to solve many problems because they don't believe any higher entities would help them to solve the problem. That is why they have more ability in answering problems The believer is trained to believe and not asking. They are taught not to question things because the answer is there in the holy book, so they are not finding the answer themselves. They are also trained to give up and let go because their God would help them solve the problems by praying. That is why they have more ability in complaining and whining (no offense, this is only an answer LOL)

Ahh, okay now. Believers believe of course, without having to see. As a atheist usually doesn't believe because they can't see. Being smart has nothing to do with it. I do agree however Christians are very judgmental. Just because you believe faithfully without question does not mean you are not smart. So I also agree with you that this is a hasty conclusion and maybe you should think a little more about it.

Yes, I do agree with the fact that the atheists are smart people. Now consider this, who are the people who end up being atheists???? Think on it for a while and you'll notice that the people who are taught wrong beliefs about God and the religion of their parents isn't the correct one, its not logical and not appealing to a thinking person who wants everything to be logical. So, when this person doesn't find his God, as he is taught about Him, as logical, he'll usually end up being an atheist. But the smarter yet are the people who will study other religions and find out the truth. I invite all atheists to study all religions with an open mind and surely they'll come to the true religion.

I'm reminded of a saying 'empty vessels make the most noise'. Argumentative people need not necessarily be smart. To tell you the truth I have never come across an exceptionally smart atheist. They are just normal people who have a faith different from ours.

I believe many athiests are not just intelligent but they are elitists. They like to believe that they are smarter than others. Believers are easy targets. There are many logical arguments that support beliefs other than christianity. This may make an elitist feel they have the upper hand in any argument about religion. Believers on the other hand, are usually satisfied just believing. I don't feel the need to argue that there is a God. To believe in God is to believe in something that you can not see and to have faith in something you can not explain.

Not all believers are as you have ascertained. Most believers use the scriptures as "EVIDENCE" because they are "BELIEVERS". They believe that the scriptures are the "WORD OF GOD" and as such it is "TRUTH" so they study and use what they believe as "TRUTH". In comparison the non believers must look into all sorts of places to find their truth where a believer must only look at the scriptures. So sure it would appear that a believer is less informed than a non believer as a non believer must look at a million facts/evidence, thus expanded knowledge, where a believer must only look in one place. I hope this helps a little! Have a great day!!

Psalm 14:1 declares : The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." An atheist therefore is a fool and no less than the word of God declares so. It's not my word. If you think they are smart then this I would tell you.. The intelligence of man will not surpass the wisdom of God. If believers are using the word of God to defend his stand that means he does not rely on his own wisdom but on God's and therefore a believer is wiser than an atheist. It is bettter to be wise than to be smart. According to the word of God. Wisdom is the principal thing therefore get wisdom.. I will therefore seek for wisdom and be wise rather than be smart and be a fool. Ha!ha!ha! It is very dangerous to speak on the basis of your own belief. A person who does not understand the truth will will somehow think the atheist can reason out much better because he is talking a lot using his own intellect. But we must understand that his intelligence will not surpass the wisdom that the word of God could impart. All what he is saying has no basis while that of a beliver has a very reliable basis... the word of God. Can anyone be wiser than God?

What you say is controversial and the acuracy of your analysis is very important. Like you do, I also neither hardcore atheist nor believer. Many believers are unable to provide convincing justifications for their beliefs. As you said they just quote from their text and just believe. But it's their religion and it's their belief which we must respect. On the other hand atheist are of the nature of exploring things in a religion or philosophy. They do not just take things and tend to question things on their religion or faith. The person who has an analysitcal mind is always becomes smarter than the person who does not explore. I think that is the reason behind your conclusion.

smart has nothing to do with an atheist. people insist something just because they want to. btw, i am an atheist up to now, but i still think most God believers are the most smart person in world, like Newton. they are actually quite distinct. have a nice day.

You make a valid point Sutanhartanto. And I think it is the case that, in America at least, the correlations you identify hold. I suggest it is to do with degrees of commitment to scientific method. People who are used to academic debate and stringent testing typically place higher emphasis on precision and the soundness of arguments. Faith is something that should be challenged and not blindly accepted. Perhaps it is easier to just accept it blindly, nail your courage to a sticking, and shout down all those who ask you to justify what you believe. It doesn't mean it's the best or right thing to do. You are a brave man by the way. This is going to provoke some outcry! I offer however just one counter example: Archbishop Dr. Rowan Williams. I'm fast developing an obsession with him it would seem. I've posted one of his lectures on other threads. Anyway, the point is that he one of the most intelligent people I can think of, and is obviously a committed theist. (And one who very much challenges his own beliefs).

I'll start by stating that I'm an atheist. There. Got that out of the way. Despite the fact that I'm very intelligent (LOL), I don't think intelligence has got anuthing to do with religious belief. Yes, most atheists have given it careful consideration of why they do not believe in God, but, at the end of the day, even for an atheist it comes down to belief. Either you belief there is a God or you don't. Maybe it's "intelligence" is not the word you were looking for but rather "common sense". (Yes, I know this statement is going to get me into hot water, but then again, as an atheist, I have enough common sense not to be bothered.) PS. If people reading this cannot realise that a lot of what I'm saying is tongue-in-cheek, then they really are stupid.