It shouldn't be surprising to anybody that there are more self-proclaimed atheists among the intellectual elite (or at least in academia) than there are in the broader population. However, is their intelligence the reason behind their atheism? The answer is yes according to a new study out of Ulster University in Ireland.
This conclusion shouldn't be a surprise given that the man behind the study, Dr. Richard Lynn, is known for his work in the area of eugenics, which essentially argues that we can manipulate evolutionary processes to create a superior race (if nothing else, I give him credit for not having Disconnected Presuppositions).
Lynn's arguments include statements like, "Most primary school children believed in God, but as they entered adolescence - and their intelligence increased - many started to have doubts." and "Religious belief had declined across 137 developed nations in the 20th century at the same time as people became more intelligent."
Again, none of the facts behind his statements surprise me, after all, I agree with him, adolescents do question faith more than young children and religious belief has decreased in developed nations during the 20th century. However, is this a result of increasing intelligence?
I, for one, would postulate that Christianity has, in part, declined because of a broad failure to respond intelligently to academia and, therefore, appearing to be a faith for the uneducated.
What other theories can you think of that explain the evidence that Lynn has pointed out?
odd intelligence
The idea of linking intelligence to believing in God is rather odd to me. The only aspect of intelligence that is measurable is IQ testing, but that simply refers to retained and processed memory, as well as problem solving skills. Is there a way to measure intelligence based on ethics? or other types of skills that require knowledgeable decisions? where does the will fit in?
The way I usually respond to a skeptic that poses this argument to me is as follows: There are a lot of smart people who believe in God, and there are a lot of smart people who do not. Where does that leave us?
IQ vs AQ and The Foundation
"how firm a foundation, o saints of the Lord / has been laid for your faith in his excellent word."
Yes, many people like Richard Dawkins are pulling for the extermination of all religion by everyone, everywhere. Dr. Lynn would seem to be in some weird subset of those "thinkers." Yet the words of the hymn I quote above are supported by the activities of several great, contemporary groups.
Such as _Answers in Genesis_. I don't know if others experience them the way I do, so please tell me if you disagree. From what I've seen, this group is taking the words of Genesis seriously and at the same time engaging in rigorous scientific method, in a variety of disciplines. To see if the two match. Or what matches the dabarim Elohim (words of God)? Ken Ham and others argue--convincingly to me--that the foundations of our faith (not to mention the moral fabric of our society) are present already there in Genesis. I don't know much, but I as a layman have yet to see/hear any avowed athiest carefully responding to AiG's peer-reviewed articles and positive assertions. E.g., AiG believes the world is 6,000 years old. But they don't dogmatically assert this, they assert it with complex analysis of our weak geometric dating methods. They are open to dialogue, but few are dialoguing. I think most famously Dawkins has even shunned his Oxford colleague, Allister McGrath. And why?! If their position is so strong, why are they afraid to interact with the science?
The elite inteligentsia seem to be using great minds to build castle walls and fire salvos at other worldviews! Which the church in the West has been plenty guilty of, for centuries, itself! So the new atheists might think they are justified (pun intended) in such behavior. I don't know!
Finally, I've heard a little quip I think worth passing along: IQ ain't as importent as Adversity Quotient (AQ)! I'm joking with the grammar and bad spelling of course, but people who learn classically and achieve academically might also be complete fools when it comes to solving problems and living life, so to speak. As you might have met some!
Well, this might've happened to Einstein, I guess. He should've read more John Milton! Or Kirkegaard in philosophy.
Thoughts? Hope I'm making at least a wee bit of sense! :) I am always open to correction if I am mis-characterizing.
A connection?
Quoted from the blog post linked below:
I would propose that intelligence doesn't kill faith, but rather atheism presented as intelligence does.
Here's an interesting blog article about a researcher who discovered soft tissue inside a dinosaur fossil.
See, it's not that intelligence kills faith; it's that those who are perceived to have intelligence are hell bent on not even giving God a chance. Why is this? Because to adhere to the arguement that there is no God (or higher intelligent entity) releases us from the responsibility of our actions. As long as what we do doesn't land us in jail, anything goes.
True intelligence doesn't kill faith. False (or misunderstood) evidence masked as intelligence does.
2 Timothy 4:3-4
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"I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe that I may understand: for this I also believe, that unless I believe I will not understand." --Anselm of Canterbury
Wow, good post!
Excellent comments and quotes. Thanks! And as surely as the Father is in heaven, may He bless thee!