Another study wasting money stating the obvious?

[NotAllThere]

So you're suggesting a smart clergyman could become queen?

I'm sure some smart clergymen are queens.

Funnily enough, I was just reading about Freeman Dyson - considered one of the smartest men alive. Turns out he's a Christian. I didn't know that. To lower the average, there must be some spectacularly stupid religious folk.

[Dactylion]

Are MF or Suity religious?

Only asking like.

[SueEllen]

I'm sure some smart clergymen are queens.

Funnily enough, I was just reading about Freeman Dyson - considered one of the smartest men alive. Turns out he's a Christian. I didn't know that. To lower the average, there must be some spectacularly stupid religious folk.

Was the study from the States?

[sasguru]

But if atheism gives you a smug feeling of self-satisfaction and superiority in your otherwise worthless, meaningless and insignificant existence, go for it.

As opposed to the deluded, worthless, meaningless and insignificant existence of religious people.

[Spacecadet]

You only have to read the like of HYS on the BBC news website to realise that most of those spouting the atheist dogma would spout any old dogma they were told to. The fact that they equate atheism with rational thought and therefore intelligence makes atheism an attractive proposition plus there is a vocal group of atheist to whom they can feel a belonging with. None of them show any original thought only an ability to copy and paste anti-religious memes, most of which obviously are wrong (unless you're a thicko).

Most vocal atheists around now would have been very very conscientious church goers had they been born 300 years ago.

[NotAllThere]

As opposed to the deluded, worthless, meaningless and insignificant existence of religious people.

I was well aware that I'd left an open goal. Just wanted to see which particular cretin would take the kick.

You only have to read the like of HYS on the BBC news website to realise that most of those spouting the atheist dogma would spout any old dogma they were told to. The fact that they equate atheism with rational thought and therefore intelligence makes atheism an attractive proposition plus there is a vocal group of atheist to whom they can feel a belonging with. None of them show any original thought only an ability to copy and paste anti-religious memes, most of which obviously are wrong (unless you're a thicko).

Most vocal atheists around now would have been very very conscientious church goers had they been born 300 years ago.

And probably would have been pouring out their irrational venom and bile on atheists/agnostics and non-conformist religionists.

[SueEllen]

Gosh what's wrong with you all? You are all miserable feckers whether you are religious or not.

Cheer up you could be hit by a truck tomorrow then you will know either way and be put out of your misery.

[xoggoth]

None of them show any original thought only an ability to copy and paste

Probably applies equally to religious and non religious. One so often sees people parrot drivel they read in some blog somewhere, few actually bother to try looking for real statistics.

Regarding the intelligent atheists argument, logic would suggest the basic statistics may be correct for the same reason that more affluent societies have lower levels of religious belief. The more intelligent people are, the more they will achieve material success and the less they will need to look for something beyond to make up for a wretched existence. It isn't actually about religious belief being a direct symptom of stupidity.

[NotAllThere]

... It isn't actually about religious belief being a direct symptom of stupidity.

Shh. It allows stupid people to think "I'm an athiest, therefore I'm smart".

[sasguru]

Shh. It allows stupid people to think "I'm an athiest, therefore I'm smart".

Oh the irony.
Not to mention the basic logical fallacy.