Why is it hard for the Educated People to believe in God?
By stevelvis
@stevelvis (394)
Philippines
August 29, 2009 3:33am CST
Science has been proving a lot of things when it comes to tangible things. But what about the existence of a God? Why are the intelligent scientist and even the regular men who are good at what they do, doesn't seem to recognize a God in their lives?
Can we say that believers of God are not smart or less educated?
7 people like this
41 responses
@grandpa_lash (5225)
• Australia
29 Aug 09
Higher education teaches people rationality and logic, and most can find little of either in religious systems. That does not necessarily mean no belief in God, many educated people do (I don't), but education makes it very hard to believe in scriptures supposedly the word of God which are clearly human originated, and always illogical, contradictory, in some cases clearly political in tenor. The fact that the interpretation of the "Holy" rules changes every few hundred years to reflect the then current political needs of the organisation makes it impossible to take them seriously. And the massive hate, prejudice, and harm done in the name of religious systems is another very good reason for denying their validity.
Lash
1 person likes this
@ShirleyBillingsley (1544)
• United States
30 Aug 09
Higher education also teaches reasoning. If one were wise, then they would have normal reasoning and realize that the Bible "is" the Word of God, and that it will always be around. You cannot do away with the Bible, many have tried and failed. That in itself, should show you something right there.
But back to the question in the discussion, many people that are educated, do have very strong beliefs in God. Elvis Presley was one of the ones, that was not only rich and famous, he was also a Christian, with very strong beliefs.
@grandpa_lash (5225)
• Australia
31 Aug 09
Somehow I have considerable trouble seeing Elvis as a good role model for Christianity, and I seriously question the reasoning of anyone who could claim that. And it is exactly the fact that education does teach reasoning that many intelligent and educated people regard the Bible as at best a collection of semi-historical tales written by a mixture of homicidal maniacs and truly wise men, and at worst a deliberately manipulative collection of propaganda pieces designed to put power in the hands of a religious elite.
A belief in God, quaint as I find it, is understandable as a reflection of a spiritual nature; a belief in "Holy" scripture is a reflection of an inferior intellect.
Lash
@stephwrites (275)
• United States
29 Aug 09
Lash, I'm not sure what you mean about 'rules changing every hundred years to reflect the current political needs of the organization.' The laws of God in the bible changed once, after Jesus CHrist was born. that's because He fulfilled the Old Testament laws because they no longer had to sacrifice animals for forgiveness of sin. Laws in society change everyday it seems. And people change standards for themsleves and others every minute or so. But from my knowledge, God's rules and laws as stated in the bible have not changed. I just wanted to clarify.
@Graceekwenx (3160)
• Philippines
30 Aug 09
it could be that educated people tend to be more rational. and it could be that they have never experienced god in their lives. and it could be that it is the least of their concerns. There are still many unexplainable incidents that could not be answered by science. and when these things come around, scientists should try asking god. but again, they would never try because they would feel silly asking hard questions in thin air but most of all, they do not believe that god exists.
i am a medical technologist and i excel in microbiology. I am a roman catholic and i believe in God.
1 person likes this
@Citychic (4067)
• United States
30 Aug 09
I think that you are a very wise woman to believe in God. Being that you are also a medical technologist, you are well aware of how disease can form from a tiny microbe as well as how God can cause the eradication of a whole entire group of people by just doing something very small. I've seen things done like this before and that is why I say, wow, only God! Oh well I know that someone may not believe me when I say that there is a God and he's a mighty good God but to each his own. Please add me as a friend Graceekwenx, perhaps we can talk more about God. Since we both seem to share similar beliefs. May God bless you. I like your purple. Did you know that purple was the color of royalty in God's kingdom? Yes my friend, you are a part of royalty. I'm going to go get myself a cup of coffee and come back good Lord willing and hopefully we can have ourselves a nice long chat one of these days. take care and keep the faith!
@jlamela (4897)
• Philippines
29 Aug 09
I don't know of other degree holders who don't believe in God. I am a college graduate and read books everyday to acquire more knowledge and continue my learning, but I DO BELIEVE IN GOD as the supreme being. I also agree with the statement of the beloved Pope, John Paul II, when he was still alive that JESUS CHRIST is the answer to every questions about life on earth. I am a devoted Roman Catholic.
I also believe that when we have to abide all the rules of God for humanity, I could be save from destruction and eternal damnation. It is just so frustrating that people who extremely lacked faith find themselves superior than God and make heinous crime to upset God, like what Dan Brown did in almost all his novels, it is so hurtful to know that Brown's book is channeling evil to disintegrate the image of Christ and the Church.
Maybe people with highest educational attainment questioned the very foundation of their existence because they are not satisfied with what they have in life and began seeking things which are unthinkable. But the truth is, we cannot attain everything we want in life, we must be contented with what we have right now and thank God that we breath everyday, life itself is a gift, a greatest gift from God.
Science cannot answer all questions about life, but religion can. Good luck! God bless your day!
1 person likes this
@stevelvis (394)
• Philippines
30 Aug 09
thanks jlemela. You are truly blessed with a college degree and knowing God. That is a great package in life. Maybe those people who are not satisfied with their life are those who can't accept that they cannot have everything because it could be bad for them and for others. They start to get mad in God or say he does not exist because their prayers are unanswered. Science only teach the nature of life but it does not teach how to live a life with love and forgiveness.
1 person likes this
@jshekhar (1562)
• India
29 Aug 09
Hello friend,
I would politely like to disagree a little bit here. I am an engineer so I consider myself decently educated and I am a firm believer in God.True, there are people who consider themselves "educated" and refuse to believe in God but let us not forget that when Doctors go to operate upon a patient for a serious injury, they also pray once before they start!
the thing is we do not remember or pray to God in our good times. We can go on saying that we do not believe in God but the moment something bad happens to us and we have nowhere to go and nothing to do, we pray from our hearts and on many occasions we are bailed out of trouble!
@stevelvis (394)
• Philippines
30 Aug 09
I also know good doctors who are religious that puts confidence to their patients. You're also right when something bad happens, people start looking for God and that's the only time they start believing. Could it be God's way sometimes?
1 person likes this
@sysdexlicwriter (1619)
• United States
29 Aug 09
In answer to your question, the following scriptures came to mind:
I Corinthians 1:25-27 (King James Version)
25-Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26-For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27-But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
An excellent video on how science looks at the Christian philosophy and why Christian scientists are having a very hard time practicing in their field would be Ben Stein's DVD "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed." This is quite a sobering well-done documentary and really makes one think deeply about what their base of knowledge is and how a wrong base can really lead to dangerous philosophies as a society.
Finally, a lot of logical-minded people have a hard time accepting Christianity because of the emotional viewpoint that many Christians come from. I think a better approach might be information that is well-researched like Lee Strobel's book or DVD "The Case For Christ."
All in all, unless a person really knows where to look for a good logical approach to God and His existence, it can be almost impossible to find information that hits the target for this subject.
1 person likes this
@stevelvis (394)
• Philippines
30 Aug 09
I have seen the long trailer of Ben Stein's DVD 'Expelled' that got a lot of criticism from non-believers. I agree that both believers and non-believers always contradict each other when it comes to looking at each others origin of belief. It's a hard discussion about science and religion when it comes to the beginning of all things because both have no proven evidences. The only evidence we could get I think, is by looking around us and asking ourselves, how and who could have started it all.
1 person likes this
@naewunder0682 (7)
• United States
29 Aug 09
Hey,
I completely understand where you are coming from, I've met so many people in my life who consider themselves to be extremely well educated but when it comes to god they are complete numb skulls! Seriously it's called "Faith" for a reason.
I'm a christian and I have a very christian life style, I'm not the smartest person in the world but I'm not dumb. I've got my degree and I'm satisfied with what I understand.
I think the people who consider themselves too smart to believe in God are extremely dumb but that's just my opinion.
Thank you.
1 person likes this
@Citychic (4067)
• United States
30 Aug 09
Why naewunder0682, This isn't going to be a very long and drawn out answer but I have to give credit where it's due and say that I agree with you. There are those that are so highly educated in the things pertaining to this world but guess what, that's not what God has called us to do. He says in order to figure him out, we must humble ourselves as a child then fall in line with what he's doing. It's God's will that is going to prevail upon this old earth and nobody else. We should be grateful that God even allow us to partake of the earth and to be able to share in along with all of his other glorious creatures that live among us. But man in his own lofty ways have been refusing to see that the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof for a long long time. We think that we can tear down the Forrest and not reap the penalties for destroying God' beautiful land. How much dumber can man get?Let's all stop the madness, we need to quit destroying the earth and each other and join hands as brothers and sisters under one God!
@Angelwriter (1954)
• United States
29 Aug 09
I have a college degree and believe I am intelligent. I also believe in God. And, while there are educated intelligent people who don't, I'm sure there are others like me (and smarter and more educated) who do.
1 person likes this
@ShirleyBillingsley (1544)
• United States
30 Aug 09
As a student of Bachelor of Theology, i would like to give the following response:
The nineteen fifties saw the rise of highly organized opposition to the Christian
faith. The opponents formed numerous organizations worldwide, launched many
bulletins, magazines, and journals, and began capturing key seminaries and
publishing houses of Christians. Even one of the key persons in the United Bible
Societies was almost an atheist, and published his testimony in a book titled,
"Leaving The Fold". The book was released by Prometheus, the largest atheist
publishing house in the world. Many large and aggressive rationalist and atheist
publishing houses and book clubs also came up around the world. This was also a
time when techniques of propaganda, mind-manipulation, and debating were
pressed into service against the Christian faith, and refined to a high level for this
task.
The coming together of all these movements resulted in a synergy against the Bible
and the Christian movement. This combination gave them great insights and helped
them to refine the methodology of attacking the Bible. Instead of using general
attacks, they became more specific. Using the insights gained from studies of
propaganda techniques, methods to harness mass-movements, fuzzy-logic, and
numerous other techniques, they started attacking the Christian faith in a more
sophisticated way.
The last half of the twentieth century saw the rise of specialization in every field of
science, technology, and social sciences. The tools used also became refined and
sophisticated. The same became the norm in anti Christian movements of this
period. Radicals, rationalists, and atheists developed specialized fields, techniques,
and tools for attacking the Christian faith. Communist propagandists from the
former USSR, China, and other Marxist countries greatly helped to refine and
consolidated the techniques. Only an equal level of sophistication and specialization
in the Apologetic camp could meet this new wave of assault.
@ShirleyBillingsley (1544)
• United States
4 Sep 09
Thank you kindly sir. I have no need to compare colleges. I am satisfied that mine is well known, and justified. I am certainly pleased with my studies, there fore, i have no need to compare. Have a good day.
@grandpa_lash (5225)
• Australia
31 Aug 09
I'm curious as to which university you are studying your Bachelor of Theology with. I wonder whether the course you take is at all similar to my BA degree in Comparative Religion, which I did as a second major after Anthropology,in which I completed a PhD program, because so much of Social Anthropology revolves around the study of world views, including spiritual and religious beliefs.
Lash
@grandpa_lash (5225)
• Australia
3 Sep 09
No response? Could this be because you are attending a Bible College, in which case you know quite well I will laugh my a$$ off?
Lash
@grecychunny26 (9483)
• Philippines
4 Sep 09
Some intelligent people only believe on things that has a complete study and for them to see is to believe. Some of them. But I knew someone educated that have fear in God. I do fear God and I believe in God. I believe in what stated in the Bible. Maybe they have their own prerogative that is why they don't believe in God.
@OrangJuice (687)
• China
4 Sep 09
I don't the situation abroad, but in China, it's true!
I once read a book regarding science history - it's said it's also a new subject abroad - it seems a lot of topping scientists which are founders of many subjects of science. They were/are religious believer of God. And the main purpose they studied these subjects was to honor and glorify God.
Now these subjects construct today's science we are learning and studying now.
But in China, we have been told that there is no God in world, in another word, the world is pure physical world from primary school. And teachers also tell us believing in God is stupid and superstitious. We have even no chance to learn religions really. So lots of people accepted education, they think only illiteracies and the low-educated believing in God.
But I believe in God. Haha
@grandpa_lash (5225)
• Australia
2 Sep 09
Well it is, I just took a stab at it, and I can't be bothered chasing up how long human history actually is, but whatever the figure, it's many time the 7000 years you suggest.
Lash
@danrunsfast614 (1396)
• United States
3 Sep 09
I don't believe in god. That being said, I cannot disprove him so, in a sense, I don't not believe in him either. I like to think I am well educated.
To looks for a scientist that believes in god, we need look no further than one of the smartest people to ever exist:Einstein. Albert Einstein, one of the fathers of modern physics, was a firm believer in God.
@Azaerus (820)
• Philippines
29 Aug 09
Well actually,not all people really do believe in God because they just don't simply believe in miracles and mysteries. I do admit that I don't believe in God because I believe that God is a creation of humans to have organization,peace and unity amongst all raise. People believe they could unite the nation by creating such belief or religion as God. Also, God is created for people to rule over and control over people,a great example of this is the Vatican City where in religion or should I say God is the ruler and God is represented by the pope wherein he has the power to control people,rule people and hold the law in his hands in his own way and desires. The good thing in the belief of God is that people know to cooperate,help and love one another no matter what raise they came from,it's just so sad that other people are still too racist amongst each other.
As for me, I will say that I am an agnostic person and I am a man who believes in the things that has proof. Most miracles are just made by the imaginations of human themselves,so for me unless this miracle has no evidence or proof to show then there's nothing else to believe in it.
@stevelvis (394)
• Philippines
30 Aug 09
Hi azaerus. It also came to my mind sometimes that without a God, there will be no order or something to fear so we humans know how to behave well. But beyond that, I also ask myself why am I here, who designed the heavenly bodies, the perfect shape of the planets, the sun, the order of the solar system that they move in a constant path without bumping to each other, the balance of life like the ecosystem, the wonders of the human body, etc. I started to believe that there must be an intelligent and powerful creator of all these things. Christians will say, blessed are you when GOD opened your eyes to ask these questions.
@Azaerus (820)
• Philippines
30 Aug 09
In my opinion there's always explanation and proof to why everything that we see which is wonderful exist..like those things you've mentioned,the sky,the sea,human beings and everything we can see,hear and feel. But for me as I've mentioned God is just a creation of humans to have peace and order,unity and love. There's really no proof that a God really do exist,all we know is that our ancestors praised a God whom they believed created everything even our life.
Have you ever asked yourself why Jesus was hated by the people or by the king?Did it ever ccur to your mind that envy is just too small reason for the king to punish Jesus in such a way. As I've read more about the history of Jesus and God.I have noticed that not all details were mentioned in the bible or in trhe books. The Vatican and the religious sectors are covering up something,the truth isn't revealed at all. The way I see it,once the devoted believers of God find out about the truth behind these,people will be disappoind and won't follow the commands and teaching of the church anymore.
My point is there's really no proof of the existence of this so called God, if there really is a miraculous God then howcome the truth should be kept about him. If he is really miraculous and powerful then everything about him should be told so people should follow,obey,respect and believe him more.
I think that people make their own destiny and future that's why miraculous things happen to them because they believe in themselves and their prayer,therefor,they find a way for such success and answers to their prayers to come true. Life itself is a miracle and nothing more. Science has every explanation to everything that's why more and more people believe in it. I just hope that religion also have some proof and explanation to show for people to keep believing in it.
@TheGypsyDad (391)
• Canada
29 Aug 09
On the contrary, the scientist that are driven to find answers always have God in mind, especially the ones that have been studying the religion that they were brought up into. To find the answers of what God might be would be a scientist most fulfulling discovery.
@stevelvis (394)
• Philippines
30 Aug 09
That is the greatest discovery if Science can prove there is God. Are there really scientist who do the study of GOD?
@TheGypsyDad (391)
• Canada
30 Aug 09
Well you can check out what Stephen Hawkins said in a speech to university faculties in April 2009, I think it was April 19.
@dpauli (407)
• Indonesia
29 Aug 09
When someone is so rely on his own way of thinking, only wants to accept what in his mind is rational, then it's rather difficult to believe in God. As God existence is not accepted using human's limited thoughts. There's a verse, trust in the Lord not with your own understanding. God is so undescribable just with human's thoughts or words. Only with the light of Holy Spirit we can believe in God.
@stevelvis (394)
• Philippines
30 Aug 09
yes dpauli. it could depend in our limited mind to accept God's existence so we really need His guidance. To be humble is one way to start but it could be hard for those who is satisfied with their life and their capabilities.
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
7 Sep 09
As far as I know there are believers in God from every level of education, some are scientists, some are doctors and some are teachers. I think there are more believers than nonbelievers in the world.
@ulalume (713)
• United States
29 Aug 09
People don't believe in God for many reasons. Scientifically speaking, God is not proven; therefore why should an educated person believe in him? The implication that Education = not believing in God is kind of ridiculous, unless I am allowed to correlate that those who are Uneducated and believe in God are equally as stupid from an atheistic viewpoint. The reality for me is that most religious people claim they KNOW god and have talked with him/felt him/experienced him in some way, yet after the thousands of years of his worship we still do not have any tangible evidence to show to someone and say: "This is my god!" Science and god do not go hand in hand.
I assume some religious people actually go to college and get degrees. These people say they have a calling on their life, and I assume most of these people aren't called to minimum wage jobs.
When one studies science one can blatantly see that there is no real way to prove the existence of some sort of god-like being, because it is unmeasurable in any way. In fact, scientific studies have been held that examine things such as prayer; and inadvertently they have proven that it does nothing! Scientifically speaking it is virtually a placebo.
I think this question is just really ridiculous, as (like I said) it implies that religious people never go to school. You can find just as many atheists living in cardboard boxes on the side of the street as you can find atheists who are well educated. Likewise, I presume the same goes for other religious people.
@ShirleyBillingsley (1544)
• United States
30 Aug 09
Many scientists have now discovered, that many of the Biblical facts, are true and correct. Keeping up with the times, is something that even atheists normally do. Of course, if you were to actually read the Bible, and pray to God, then i am certain, that you would find, that He really does exist, and not just in poor folks, or educated people.
@ulalume (713)
• United States
30 Aug 09
Well, I am an ex-Christian so I suppose your opinion on me actually reading the Bible and searching for god is kind of irrelevant to who I am. I have personally read the entire Bible and have been to quite a few churches/sought after God on my own time. Inevitably I have found quite the opposite. If God is real, he is disinterested in proving it.
I suppose if Christians were to read their own text they may see some flaws. If you would desire to hear some feel free to ask.
Inevitably, some things in the Bible are going to be true. I am of the impression that most stories tend to be routed in some sort of true experience. The issue is really proving the fundamentals. Sure, one could prove that Jews were around; that their were tribes of people, that David was the king...but those are all petty historical facts. It makes the story of Jesus and God more believable if there is some sort of truth in there. Unfortunately, there is no correlation between God being real based on the Jews/David being real (this is just an example). Likewise, the whole bible is not true just because some things in it are true.
@voldrox (7191)
• India
29 Aug 09
Hmm steve i have to say some people are like that, they learn a lot and then they start looking at things more differently, maybe they get into the technical stuff and start looking at things more "scientifically" i guess and then have got reasons not to believe in God or maybe some think they are too smart and they don't need God at all, but blessed are the ones who always fear God, I fear God... but there are a few people who are great achievers and still do believe in God, but i guess there are not many people who are like that... God bless all of us....have a nice day Steve!
@stevelvis (394)
• Philippines
30 Aug 09
Thanks voldrox for your nice opinion. The fear in God is a good reason to be moral for Christians. How about the non-believers, do they have fears when they do something evil in secret? It's like giving you a choice, would you vote a president who is God fearing or not?
1 person likes this
@voldrox (7191)
• India
30 Aug 09
I guess the non believers don't really feel that bad about doing the wrong things secretly, only if they think it is bad according to themselves, and most of the time they don't even know they doing something wrong.... well talking about voting for the president, it is actually quite a difficult situation... frankly i can't say anything about that
@grace118224 (1038)
• China
30 Aug 09
Although i never believe in God i don't think that believers of God are not smart or less educated. In our country we are raised up without knowing anything about God . I feel ok for that but i respect those who believe in God at the same time. In my opinion those who believe in God don't care about whether God really exists because God already is in their heart. It's hard to use science to judge all these.
@EnglishTeaDuck (862)
• United States
30 Aug 09
Thats a great point, I would say I really do believe God literally exists, but I get what you're saying, its not so much a 'proving' thing. its just where someones world view is, and as you say, I believe this 'in my heart' and thats where I stand. It doesn't come down to a scientific formula really, when you are dealing with people.
:)
@aswinrambo007 (2)
• India
29 Aug 09
Those who are educated totally believe in science because science is proved.
But one thing about god is that there is no proof of his existence, so those educated do not believe in god due to no proofs of existence.
@stevelvis (394)
• Philippines
30 Aug 09
science has proven many or some of the things we see today but there are still theories especially when it comes to the origin of life. science is saying the beauty and order of the solar system are all by chance but religion is teaching that there is an intelligent creator behind those. God gave men the ability to grow in knowledge but how come these knowledge cannot explain or fully prove how it all started? Maybe the simple answer would be, 'we were not there'.