Yes, statistically speaking, there is a negative correlation between belief in God and IQ. It may or may not have been true back in the days when monks were saving civilization, but it appears to be true today. From this, some people draw the conclusion that God is not likely to exist. This is not sound logic. It’s an understandable shortcut in a world where we don’t have time to investigate everything we hear, but this subject is potentially too important to deserve anything less than careful thought.
Consider that there is also a negative correlation between wealth and belief in God. People in wealthier countries are less religious than those in poorer countries. Within the U.S., people in wealthier states are less religious. What might be going on here?
Both money and intelligence – and I would strongly suspect other things like education level, physical strength, beauty, health, youth, popularity, etc. – are things that make a person feel self-sufficient, superior to others, and possibly meritorious. Continue reading “Do nonbelievers have higher IQs than believers?”