Godless Apostate

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by Cheese

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 studies used in Zuckerman's paper included a life-long analysis of the beliefs of a group of 1,500 gifted children - those with IQs over 135 - in a study which began in 1921 and continues today.

Even at 75 to 91 years of age, the children from Lewis Terman’s study scored lower for religiosity than the general population - contrary to the widely held belief that people turn to God as they age. The researchers noted that data was lacking about religious attitudes in old age and say, “Additional research is needed to resolve this issue.”

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.”

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/religious-p...113350723.html

Has Einsteins God letter been posted in this thread yet? It's pretty good.

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by Thor

So proud of my Icelanders today, this is awesome.
http://www.ibtimes.com/icelanders-pr...ention-showing

Odd that the event is free. His father made millions selling tickets to the gullible.

[GirlySports]

Religious family flees US because of "government interference in religion", gets lost at sea, is rescued by a fishing boat, and is brought home after help with a U.S. embassy.

[photon]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Religious family flees US because of "government interference in religion", gets lost at sea, is rescued by a fishing boat, and is brought home after help with a U.S. embassy.

[stampsx2]

Originally Posted by Cheese

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 studies used in Zuckerman's paper included a life-long analysis of the beliefs of a group of 1,500 gifted children - those with IQs over 135 - in a study which began in 1921 and continues today.

Even at 75 to 91 years of age, the children from Lewis Terman’s study scored lower for religiosity than the general population - contrary to the widely held belief that people turn to God as they age. The researchers noted that data was lacking about religious attitudes in old age and say, “Additional research is needed to resolve this issue.”

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.”

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/religious-p...113350723.html

And if it's a study, it must be true. Haha. Because studies are never biased. I know how to use the internet too and if you like, can find you a counter study to support my beliefs or opinons.

[Thor]

I really dislike studies that suggest correlation between intelligence and atheism.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by stampsx2

And if it's a study, it must be true. Haha. Because studies are never biased. I know how to use the internet too and if you like, can find you a counter study to support my beliefs or opinons.

Haha. When science doesn't support my position I claim science to be biased.

[jammies]

Originally Posted by stampsx2

And if it's a study, it must be true. Haha. Because studies are never biased. I know how to use the internet too and if you like, can find you a counter study to support my beliefs or opinons.

Maybe you don't know how to use the internet, because it involves reading comprehension, and if you could do that, you would have seen that this is META study that used statistical analysis on several dozen studies to come up with a conclusion, and not a single study that can be put in question by referencing a different study.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by stampsx2

And if it's a study, it must be true. Haha. Because studies are never biased. I know how to use the internet too and if you like, can find you a counter study to support my beliefs or opinons.

meh, referencing studies to counter a study is one thing. Having charts to back up your claims is the shiznit.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by jammies

Maybe you don't know how to use the internet, because it involves reading comprehension, and if you could do that, you would have seen that this is META study that used statistical analysis on several dozen studies to come up with a conclusion, and not a single study that can be put in question by referencing a different study.

Careful though. This type of study showed how whites are smarter than blacks. There is a lot more to intelligence than IQ. Simply looking at lines denoting intelligence vs lines of religiosity is the same as saying organic food causes Autism

[jammies]

Originally Posted by Thor

I really dislike studies that suggest correlation between intelligence and atheism.

It's not really useful information unless it shows why there is such a correlation. Personally I think it's because there is also a relationship between higher intelligence and increased non-conformity.

A lot of people think that therefore they come across as intelligent if they are atheists, non-conformists, or both. However, that line of thinking shows you're not all that smart to begin with, because then you are mixing up causes with effects.

[jammies]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Careful though. This type of study showed how whites are smarter than blacks. There is a lot more to intelligence than IQ. Simply looking at lines denoting intelligence vs lines of religiosity is the same as saying organic food causes Autism

Yah, I'm not saying this meta-study shows anything other than that there is an unexplained correlation, I'm just saying that claiming a single study could refute a meta-study is asinine and shows the claimant has no idea how to read and process a relatively simple paragraph of information.

[BigBrodieFan]

@Duffman- not saying I disagree with your theory or evidence- but that chart isn't right. Utah is definitely one of the most religious states in the Union. They come in second behind Mississippi (very close) for the past two years:

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsfa...-2012.html.csp


You'll notice that Utah is much more 'happy' and 'generous' - Mormons seek happiness where Christians (Catholics esp) are born sinners and must repent and feel guilty about their sins. The Christians keep on sinning and trying to gain forgiveness where the Mormons are pretty true to their religion- they are (strict LDS) not hypocrites- they do not have sex before marriage, they do not drink/smoke/drink caffeine, they are very true to their beliefs. Might have something to do with the fact that it's a new religion or 'cult'- not sure. They are also educated and taught at a young age to fend for themselves via their 'missions.' Instead of worshiping Virgin statues and turning wine into blood, they wear magic underwear. I don't really get why.. but maybe it's the magic underwear that makes them so happy..

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by BigBrodieFan

@Duffman- not saying I disagree with your theory or evidence- but that chart isn't right. Utah is definitely one of the most religious states in the Union. They come in second behind Mississippi (very close) for the past two years:

Well, not all Utahans are Mormons even though there is a lot of them. Mormons are pretty confusing. They seem somewhat bright, yet they believe the Earth is 6000 years old. They also base their whole religion on a guy who was given golden tablets from Angels, and then used magic rocks and a bag over his head to read the golden tablets, which coincidentally have never been seen by anyone else, ever. So they can't be that bright, I think. Also, maybe Joseph smith never had premarital sex, but had about 14 wives didn't.t he?

[BigBrodieFan]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

Well, not all Utahans are Mormons even though there is a lot of them. Mormons are pretty confusing. They seem somewhat bright, yet they believe the Earth is 6000 years old. They also base their whole religion on a guy who was given golden tablets from Angels, and then used magic rocks and a bag over his head to read the golden tablets, which coincidentally have never been seen by anyone else, ever. So they can't be that bright, I think. Also, maybe Joseph smith never had premarital sex, but had about 14 wives didn't.t he?

Yeah, their actual 'Book of Mormon'- the true Bible according to them, advocates polygamy- but now polygamists are excommunicated. I wonder what kind of a sister-wife I would make.. hmmmm.. I am just not feelin it.

[Dion]

[sworkhard]

Originally Posted by BigBrodieFan

@Duffman- not saying I disagree with your theory or evidence- but that chart isn't right. Utah is definitely one of the most religious states in the Union. They come in second behind Mississippi (very close) for the past two years:

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsfa...-2012.html.csp


You'll notice that Utah is much more 'happy' and 'generous' - Mormons seek happiness where Christians (Catholics esp) are born sinners and must repent and feel guilty about their sins. The Christians keep on sinning and trying to gain forgiveness where the Mormons are pretty true to their religion- they are (strict LDS) not hypocrites- they do not have sex before marriage, they do not drink/smoke/drink caffeine, they are very true to their beliefs. Might have something to do with the fact that it's a new religion or 'cult'- not sure. They are also educated and taught at a young age to fend for themselves via their 'missions.' Instead of worshiping Virgin statues and turning wine into blood, they wear magic underwear. I don't really get why.. but maybe it's the magic underwear that makes them so happy..

Part of the Mormon's generosity is forced. They are required to give a certain percentage of their income to the church, and have to declare their income to prove they gave enough.

Part of their higher happiness is related to how they tend to stay relatively fit as part of their religion, and avoid addictive substances, which helps their overall health. However, I wonder how much of their contentment is real, and how much they just report to be content as that is what they want and try to be. Given how difficult it's reported to be to leave the religion, I'd be surprised if there isn't a significant group of very unhappy and discontented members.

[SeeBass]

Originally Posted by BigBrodieFan;4357971

[B

You'll notice that Utah is much more 'happy' and 'generous' - Mormons seek happiness where Christians (Catholics esp) are born sinners and must repent and feel guilty about their sins. The Christians keep on sinning and trying to gain forgiveness where[/B] the Mormons are pretty true to their religion- they are (strict LDS) not hypocrites- they do not have sex before marriage, they do not drink/smoke/drink caffeine, they are very true to their beliefs. Might have something to do with the fact that it's a new religion or 'cult'- not sure. They are also educated and taught at a young age to fend for themselves via their 'missions.' Instead of worshiping Virgin statues and turning wine into blood, they wear magic underwear. I don't really get why.. but maybe it's the magic underwear that makes them so happy..

Reminds me of a joke:

Why do you always make sure there are two Mormons at your party?

Cause if there was only one he would drink all your beer.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

Odd that the event is free. His father made millions selling tickets to the gullible.

I don't believe that Billy Graham has ever charged money for tickets for one of his crusades.

Neither did he "make millions" by doing them.

[Thor]

How did he make his net worth of 25 million then? Just curious.