atheists, theists, and intelligence (edited title)

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warpspeedpetey

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in the course of another conversation this was posted as to why an atheist would not agree with a theist if they both knew the same thing
Quote:
What if the person disagreeing actually has more knowlege, not the same? What if the person disagreeing understands something better, not worse than the individual claiming that other’s don’t understand?
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that essentially seems to be a polite claim that atheists are more intelligent than their theist counterparts.

here is my response

because thats not a possible scenario when applied to a significantly large sample size of humanity. though some individuals may be more or less educated, intelligent, or knowledgeable, when averaged across the total population we are essentially equal in these qualities

if theism, and atheism were of equal validity, than under the conditions above we should expect to see approximately a 50/50 split. where half the population is theist and half is non-theist

however the actual distribution seems to be 10:1 to 20:1 reflecting a rate of atheism of 5% to 10% of the total population. (though i think that number a little high)

so if the arguments as to individuality were true and both propositions were equally valid then we should see a 50/50 distribution.

but we dont

in order to explain that unequal distribution we have to assume the following positions
  1. theists are less intelligent than average, by a large enough amount to account for the rate of that position in society. (9.5 out of 10 would have to be less intelligent than the current average)
  2. atheists are less intelligent than average by a rate significant enough to account for that distribution (1 to 2 out of 20 would have to be less intelligent than the current average)
  3. the propositions of atheism vs. theism are not of equal validity.
as the first two are false on the face of them, that strongly suggests that the third position is true

the proof being that if they were equally valid than there should be an even distribution among the population

as we dont see that, and the other possibilities are false on their face.

we can only conclude that atheism and theism, are not of equal validity

in fact by the numbers of adherents atheism is only 1/10 to 1/20 as valid as theism (a little tongue in cheek )

does someone have an argument that might refute these ideas?
 
I’m unclear about your argument.
Numbers don’t predict higher or lower intelligence. IQ is distributed on a bell curve (approximately), so the median is the approximate mean.
No test can precisely rate intelligence. Occupation can’t, either, as altruistic, family-bound, adventurous, artistic and argumentative folks spend less of their mindpower seeking wealth and more doing other things.
Actually, neither can formal education.
The way to evaluate the amount of intelligence a person applies to a belief is to draw out his/her reasoning.
 
Who cares?
Didn’t Jesus say something about casting pearls before swine?
Atheists love to deny God.That’s what they do…
It’s really very sad,actually.
😦
 
survive said:
I’m unclear about your argument.
Numbers don’t predict higher or lower intelligence. IQ is distributed on a bell curve (approximately), so the median is the approximate mean.
No test can precisely rate intelligence. Occupation can’t, either, as altruistic, family-bound, adventurous, artistic and argumentative folks spend less of their mindpower seeking wealth and more doing other things.
Actually, neither can formal education.
The way to evaluate the amount of intelligence a person applies to a belief is to draw out his/her reasoning.
Click to expand...
essentially i am working backwards from the distribution of belief among the population in an attempt to show that since we all fall along an average in the IQ and educational curves, than we cannot say that one group or another has a specific advantage in these areas. so if there are differences in distribution between the theist and atheist positions then that difference cannot be attributed to any difference in IQ or education, but rather the range of distribution should actually reflect the validity of the opposing philosophies.

but as yet i await a reply from an actual atheist, and as there are several running around here i hope to here a good counter argument from them.
 
crowonsnow said:
Atheists deny god like adults deny Santa.

Yes, I suppose it had to be said again.
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do you have an argument that addresses the OP?

on the side Saint Nicholas actually existed. i assume you mean the fairy tale having nothing to do with Christianity and everything to do with commercialism.
 
Those that call themselves atheists can think and say (almost)what they like about their relative intelligence and maturity.

Resorting to that kind of playground taunt is the behaviour of the desperate, the lost and those looking for an argument.
 
Fran65 said:
Those that call themselves atheists can think and say (almost)what they like about their relative intelligence and maturity.

Resorting to that kind of playground taunt is the behaviour of the desperate, the lost and those looking for an argument.
Click to expand...
Well, of course they can,…and will.It is the very nature of the beast to exalt or esteem oneself higher than another; even God.They’re atheists!Can you believe they actually think we evolved from MONKEYS!!!:rotfl:
 
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