Are atheists smarter and better educated than Christians?

[M30USA]

It's something I hear all the time: atheists are smart and scientific while Christians are stupid and superstitious.

 

While I understand formal education is not everything, can we start taking a survey on this forum about our religious orientation and education level? I'm just curious.

 

I will start.

 

Religion: Christian (Bible-believing)

Education: Master of Science

[Pyro]

This isn't going to prove anything.

 

Your thread topic is nothing more than a classic case of 'you don't agree with my beliefs therefore you are an idiot' (not speaking to you personally)

[M30USA]

This isn't going to prove anything.

 

Your thread topic is nothing more than a classic case of 'you don't agree with my beliefs therefore you are an idiot' (not speaking to you personally)

 

Of course it won't prove anything. Surveys never prove anything. But we still use them in the world.

 

Please post your religious orientation and education level.

[dreamingoftigers]

I'm Mormon (currently inactive, but still a believer)

 

Are you one of those "Christians" that wouldn't count me as Christian (even though I believe in Christ who died for our sins and rose up afterwards but somehow I get told it isn't the "same Jesus." it must've been the Jesus from the other block or something.)

 

So should I even bother posting?

[M30USA]

I'm Mormon (currently inactive, but still a believer)

 

Are you one of those "Christians" that wouldn't count me as Christian (even though I believe in Christ who died for our sins and rose up afterwards but somehow I get told it isn't the "same Jesus." it must've been the Jesus from the other block or something.)

 

So should I even bother posting?

 

Yes, everyone and anyone please participate.

[M30USA]

I just find it funny that I get lambasted on this forum for being a person who is superstitious and ignorant of science, yet when I dare bring up people's education levels I get the response of, "What are you trying to prove?"

[Janesays]

I am an Atheist and also a scientist. But there are plenty of people in my field that believe in God, so ultimately, it's a moot point.

[Forever Silent]

It's something I hear all the time: atheists are smart and scientific while Christians are stupid and superstitious.

 

While I understand formal education is not everything, can we start taking a survey on this forum about our religious orientation and education level? I'm just curious.

 

I will start.

 

Religion: Christian (Bible-believing)

Education: Master of Science

 

UH, No!

 

If anything I find Athesits to be rather gloomy sometimes lol.

[BetheButterfly]

It's something I hear all the time: atheists are smart and scientific while Christians are stupid and superstitious.

 

While I understand formal education is not everything, can we start taking a survey on this forum about our religious orientation and education level? I'm just curious.

 

I will start.

 

Religion: Christian (Bible-believing)

Education: Master of Science

 

Well, I have had different experiences with Atheists. Some, particularly Atheist professors, have mocked Christian beliefs. Others though just simply think various beliefs are a part of the diversity of humans. They don't consider Atheism superior to Christianity. They just acknowledge it's different, same as the many other ways humans are diverse.

 

Concerning my education, this thread does make me feel bad about myself. I only have an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education. I am hoping to continue with my education to get my Bachelor's soon. However, I have been mocked before by engineer students because they (these few who mock) tend to think that only "stupid" people become teachers. At first that saddened me, but then I thought about my ideal career, and my ideal career is teaching. I don't think that makes me stupid at all. Rather, I greatly respect and adore my teachers/professors and have learned so much from them! I enjoy teaching and tutoring because it is awesome to see students grow! Right now, I'm a tutor and translator. I'm bilingual: English and Spanish.

 

My Dad never graduated from college, and he works on computer programming. My Mom dropped out of college when she got pregnant with me. She is making all A's (yay Mom!!!) in university now that her kids have grown up and she has more time! She is studying to be a social worker and I'm so proud of her! I personally think my parents (and yes I'm biased) are incredibly intelligent people, and loving. Even though they do not have a Bachelor's or Master's or Doctorate, they are wise and good.

 

People who think that Christians are (insert negative or rude term here) have the right to think whatever they want. However, courteous dialogue comes through mutual respect and a heart full of care for the other person, regardless of the differences between them. As a Christian, it is important to me to respect and care for Atheists and people of different beliefs in God, even though I don't agree with them.

 

I don't think having a diploma automatically makes one ready to face the world. It seems to me that experience is the best teacher. For example, it's one thing to merely study about children. it's another thing to actually instruct students in a way where they are enjoying learning.

Edited July 25, 2012 by BetheButterfly

[Forever Silent]

Well, I have had different experiences with Atheists. Some, particularly Atheist professors, have mocked Christian beliefs. Others though just simply think various beliefs are a part of the diversity of humans. They don't consider Atheism superior to Christianity. They just acknowledge it's different, same as the many other ways humans are diverse.

 

Concerning my education, this thread does make me feel bad about myself. I only have an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education. I am hoping to continue with my education to get my Bachelor's soon. However, I have been mocked before by engineer students because they (these few who mock) tend to think that only "stupid" people become teachers. At first that saddened me, but then I thought about my ideal career, and my ideal career is teaching. I don't think that makes me stupid at all. Rather, I greatly respect and adore my teachers/professors and have learned so much from them! I enjoy teaching and tutoring because it is awesome to see students grow! Right now, I'm a tutor and translator. I'm bilingual: English and Spanish.

 

My Dad never graduated from college, and he works on computer programming. My Mom dropped out of college when she got pregnant with me. She is making all A's (yay Mom!!!) in university now that her kids have grown up and she has more time! She is studying to be a social worker and I'm so proud of her! I personally think my parents (and yes I'm biased) are incredibly intelligent people, and loving. Even though they do not have a Bachelor's or Master's or Doctorate, they are wise and good.

 

People who think that Christians are (insert negative or rude term here) have the right to think whatever they want. However, courteous dialogue comes through mutual respect and a heart full of care for the other person, regardless of the differences between them. As a Christian, it is important to me to respect and care for Atheists and people of different beliefs in God, even though I don't agree with them.

 

I don't think having a diploma automatically makes one ready to face the world. It seems to me that experience is the best teacher. For example, it's one thing to merely study about children. it's another thing to actually instruct students in a way where they are enjoying learning.

 

Tell them, while there being worked to the bone behind some desk, you are the "stupid" person who will be raising their kids. People do not understand the value of teachers. Teachers are the most important profession of the society because they have the responspibilty of raising the next generation. I am proud of your decision to be a teacher and I hope you continue down your path.

[thatone]

UH, No!

 

If anything I find Athesits to be rather gloomy sometimes lol.

 

the truth can be depressing. hence people looking for a fantasy to believe in.

[Forever Silent]

the truth can be depressing. hence people looking for a fantasy to believe in.

 

Lol, you could be correct. Or maybe they feel the majesty of life have been stolen from them and replaced with something bland.

[wuggle]

As a master of science which parts of current scientific methodology do you not subscribe to? Modern science is based on a theory being postulated then repeatedly (and repeatably) proved or disproved by experimentation and observation.

 

In most branches of physics a 'model' is hypothosised, then experiments designed and executed repeatedly to either support parts of the model or identify where the model is wrong and amend it.

 

Same applies in biology. The theory of evolution was hypothosised and many observations and experiments have been carried out repeatedly to build our current best model of how the universe began and how all life evolved.

 

Nowhere in any branch of science has any evidence been found to support the notion of God as expressed in the bible.

 

Do you have a specialism in any particular area of science ?

[BetheButterfly]

Tell them, while there being worked to the bone behind some desk, you are the "stupid" person who will be raising their kids. People do not understand the value of teachers. Teachers are the most important profession of the society because they have the responspibilty of raising the next generation. I am proud of your decision to be a teacher and I hope you continue down your path.

 

 

Thanks Forever Silent

 

I don't know them anymore. I'm not at the university anymore but I appreciate your kind words. Very good points. Teachers need support and yes they bear the weight of future generations on their shoulders.

 

By the way, I did have some very kind friends who were studying engineering. They didn't make me feel bad at all for my career choice but rather told me they would be thrilled if I ever taught their future kids, so that helped!

Edited July 25, 2012 by BetheButterfly

[pteromom]

The other thing is that "smart" and "better educated" are two different things. One can be very smart with no higher education, and one can be a complete moron who just knows how to write papers.

 

I am Christian and I have a BA.

[Forever Silent]

The other thing is that "smart" and "better educated" are two different things. One can be very smart with no higher education, and one can be a complete moron who just knows how to write papers.

 

I am Christian and I have a BA.

 

 

I am the moron who it good at writing papers lol. College is a breeze if you know how to properly do a paper.

[pteromom]

I am the moron who it good at writing papers lol. College is a breeze if you know how to properly do a paper.

 

LOL - I wouldn't say you are a moron, but I certainly know a couple of people who fit the description. It blows my mind that one of them just got her doctorate, but she is really STUPID when it comes to common sense, social sense, and emotional intelligence.

[KR10N]

Never heard of an atheist being smarter than any other religious or non-religious person. For what it's worth, having an education doesn't necessarily mean one is intelligent or smart at all. Albert Einstein is a great example of someone that dropped out of school.

 

"The Nobel Prize-winning physicist, famous for his theory of relativity and contributions to quantum theory and statistical mechanics, dropped out of high school at age 15. Deciding to continue his education a year later, Einstein took the entrance exam to the prestigious Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, but failed. He returned to high school, got his diploma, and then passed the university's entrance exam on his second attempt."

 

He was an agnostic as well.

[M30USA]

He [Albert Einstein] was an agnostic as well.

 

"As I have said so many times, God doesn't play dice with the world."

-Einstein

[M30USA]

the truth can be depressing. hence people looking for a fantasy to believe in.

 

Yes, let's wishfully believe in a feel-good fantasy which says:

 

"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9)

 

I was just dying to believe that I was beyond cure.

[wuggle]

"As I have said so many times, God doesn't play dice with the world."

-Einstein

 

Always seems a tad unfair when theists quote this saying by Einstein (which was in response to the then fairly new field of quantum physics, which really did and does run totally counter to our everyday experience and 'common sense').

 

Einstein was a scientist who was also a product of his societal upbringing, belief in God was much more prevalent in those days when 'modern' science was in its infancy and Newtonian physics was all that was understood. Understandably Einstein struggled with the results of his own experiments and those of others in the field of quantum physics.

 

Interesting enough, in the latter years of his life Einstein did come more and more to accept the evidence for quantum mechanics, even though it ran opposed to his lifelong belief in a god. Brave guy.

 

Charles Darwin also struggled with his 'belief' in god that he had been brought up with, even to the extent of preventing the publication of his masterpiece for circa 20 years, as he knew that all the evidence he had found indeed did point to the non existance of God (indeed close friends advised that he would be guilty of 'destroying god' if he published). Thankfully, he too like Einstein and others were free thinkers and accepted the truth which all the evidence pointed to, even though it destroyed misplaced lifelong beliefs.

 

A fairer question would be what would these 2 icons of free thinking think about god if they were brought up today ??

 

ps, Einstein wasn't that 'educated' , just open minded

Edited July 25, 2012 by wuggle

[TheFinalWord]

I am the moron who it good at writing papers lol. College is a breeze if you know how to properly do a paper.

 

 

True. College basically tells an employer you are trainable for a certain field. All the education will not give you the practical experience. Though it may seem like a waste of time, writing papers is a central component for success in the work place. So you have a very tangible skill that will translate well in your career.

 

No matter the field, the ability to communicate (I have found being able to give a presentation and write a paper the most critical), follow directions, set goals, and think critically are universal to success in all fields. Hopefully you get plenty of practice in those in your classes.

 

Good luck to you in your studies!

[thatone]

Yes, let's wishfully believe in a feel-good fantasy which says:

 

"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9)

 

I was just dying to believe that I was beyond cure.

 

but it isn't. the heart is just a fleshy muscle that pumps whatever passes through it.

 

or didn't they teach you that in school?

[Zaphod B]

Me: Agnostic - but heading more and more towards Atheist all the time.

Education: Bachelor Information Technology

 

I don't think Atheists are any more smarter or educated in general. I know many Christians (having been brought up in a Christian home) that are highly intelligent. The big difference I see is that the majority of those, if not all... (I don't know about a lot of them), were indoctronated into it from an early age. To me that tells me why they are still Christians. They have been moulded since birth to believe it without question so tend to overlook certain things... as Christians do... in order to maintain their faith.

 

Also intelligent Christians are a lot better able to use mental gymnastics to justify and validate beliefs. That's why many church leaders are highly educated and intelligent people.

 

Confirmation Bias is another thing which keeps intelligent Christians in the face. Block out all the stuff that disagrees with your belief, but keep hold of the things that do.

 

This is a fear mechanism too. I once read an interesting article about that. Fear causes our sub conscious to kick in defence mechanisms which create in us an urge to protect ourselves phsyically. The same applies mentally. If we hear or see something that is likely to violate fiercly held beliefs, the fear kicks in and automatically a mental block gets put up to protect the mind from that threat. A huge reason why seemingly intelligent people hold on to what the rest of us see as silly or irrational beliefs.

[TheFinalWord]

Well, I have had different experiences with Atheists. Some, particularly Atheist professors, have mocked Christian beliefs. Others though just simply think various beliefs are a part of the diversity of humans. They don't consider Atheism superior to Christianity. They just acknowledge it's different, same as the many other ways humans are diverse.

 

Concerning my education, this thread does make me feel bad about myself. I only have an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education. I am hoping to continue with my education to get my Bachelor's soon. However, I have been mocked before by engineer students because they (these few who mock) tend to think that only "stupid" people become teachers. At first that saddened me, but then I thought about my ideal career, and my ideal career is teaching. I don't think that makes me stupid at all. Rather, I greatly respect and adore my teachers/professors and have learned so much from them! I enjoy teaching and tutoring because it is awesome to see students grow! Right now, I'm a tutor and translator. I'm bilingual: English and Spanish.

 

My Dad never graduated from college, and he works on computer programming. My Mom dropped out of college when she got pregnant with me. She is making all A's (yay Mom!!!) in university now that her kids have grown up and she has more time! She is studying to be a social worker and I'm so proud of her! I personally think my parents (and yes I'm biased) are incredibly intelligent people, and loving. Even though they do not have a Bachelor's or Master's or Doctorate, they are wise and good.

 

People who think that Christians are (insert negative or rude term here) have the right to think whatever they want. However, courteous dialogue comes through mutual respect and a heart full of care for the other person, regardless of the differences between them. As a Christian, it is important to me to respect and care for Atheists and people of different beliefs in God, even though I don't agree with them.

 

I don't think having a diploma automatically makes one ready to face the world. It seems to me that experience is the best teacher. For example, it's one thing to merely study about children. it's another thing to actually instruct students in a way where they are enjoying learning.

 

That's awesome to read Bethebutterfly.

 

An associate's degree is awesome! Nothing to be ashamed of. I know what you mean, I was the first in my family to go to college. In my family, to get through high school is a major accomplishment. My mom and I had no idea what we were doing when looking for schools but i was always my goal to go to college. She supported me and to this day is my biggest cheerleader. It was also the one thing my mom always wished she had done in her life. She always said, "one thing no one can ever take away from you is an education; no matter what happens in life". That always stuck with me for some reason.

 

I hope you do go for your dreams. You are a good role model of a teacher on here. You always find common ground and show respect. I have learned a lot from your posts on here. I can only imagine how good of a teacher you would be in real life.