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A meta-analysis that considered 63 studies reveals an interesting relationship between intelligence and religiosity. In simple terms, smarter individuals tend to be less religious. This trend is particularly strong among college students and the general population. It also appears that intelligence is more associated with what one believes rather than how one practices their faith.

Interpretation of the results

There are three thoughts on why this might be the case:

1. Smarter people tend to question more and do not simply subscribe to opinions. This makes them less susceptible to religious beliefs that cannot be questioned.

2. Individuals with high intelligence often think analytically and base their beliefs on facts and evidence. This does not always align with religious belief systems, which often rely more on emotion and tradition.

3. Intelligent individuals can often achieve through their own cognitive and emotional abilities what some seek through religion (stress management, personal development, or a sense of community). Therefore, the need for religious beliefs may be lower for them.

My Views on the Matter:

I don't think that being religious automatically makes one unintelligent. Like any subject, one can err and act in an illogical or irrational manner. For many, religion serves as a sort of lifeline to cling to, offering hope that there may be more to life. There are naturally significant cultural differences, and the extent to which one is pressured into religion varies. If one has been subjected to brainwashing from a young age, it's generally more difficult to place greater trust in science.

Closing Words

Although the study suggests that decreased intelligence may play a role in religiosity, there are certainly other factors that need to be considered.