Comments on: When Are Atheists Irrational?

By: Rose

Rose — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:33:32 +0000

I think it may have something to do with if one was raised Atheist. I have a friend from high school who is an atheist; I would really like to be closer with her, but she’s a lot like the roommates mentioned. But she’s 26, still going through her 4 years of college…very very slowly while staying at home. When you’re raised without gods, you never have to “think about it”. Either that or its the only backlash against one’s parents/society.

It could also just show how much of a minority we are not!

By: The Uncredible Hallq » Celebrating stupid atheists

The Uncredible Hallq » Celebrating stupid atheists — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:09:12 +0000

[...] of Hemant’s readers writes in to complain about atheist roommates: … For example they are not very knowledgeable on any form of politics and their critical thinking [...]

By: Polly

Polly — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:51:35 +0000

What some of these responses tell me is that there are a lot of unwitting atheists out there just ripe for the picking by proselytizing churches. A few superficial arguments at a particular time of life and these “atheists” are liable to turn religious in no time.

By: hoverFrog

hoverFrog — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:54:58 +0000

Given that atheism is nothing more than lack of belief in God or gods then atheists can, of course, come from any background and have a vast range of intellectual abilities. That said, anyone who self identifies as an atheist is likely to have reached that conclusion through careful thought and some degree of debate. That shows at least the capacity for seeing more than one side of an argument and holding multiple factors in the mind in reaching a conclusion. There are some people who just can't manage this, sadly. In North America there is also a correlation between the standard of education and religiosity. Less religious states have better educated people. There is also a correlation between scientists in top jobs and lack of religious faith. Not that a correlation proves anything in itself. I would enjoy reading a study of the relationship between IQ and religiosity. I'd hope that my group would win but I suspect that we are as dumb as them.

By: Jonathan Dolias

Jonathan Dolias — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:40:38 +0000

I’ll admit it. I’m a 24 year old atheist in Chicago. I pay attention to the news as far as I listen to NPR and the BBC on my commute to work and evening news, although I’m not sure how much of it I absorb. I usually have a book by my bed, although I don’t read as often as I’d like. I wouldn’t say I’m Capt. Intellectual, nor would I say I’m stupid. I just figure myself to be a rather plain, ordinary, run of the mill fella’ who doesn’t believe in a higher power. I’m alright with that.

By: SarahH

SarahH — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:29:30 +0000

With whom you argued…

Aww… that’s mean. Mean, bad atheist!

There’s always more to learn, I guess.

By: Kirsten

Kirsten — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:51:21 +0000

I think the one that wrote that in a atheistic state, you would certainly find dumb atheists is very correct. That’s the fact of the Scandinavian countries, for instance Norway, where I live. And I think that is a healthy sign, that atheism isn’t longer an elite thing, but a “philosphy” also of “common people”. It means that the society as a whole has developed into a more seculare society.

By: Spork

Spork — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 10:17:39 +0000

And when my language-skills are concerned… let’s just say that they beat the German of those, whom I argued with.

With whom you argued…

By: Ngeli

Ngeli — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:49:20 +0000

I used to be an irrational atheist in discussions. I irrationally assumed that there is not much difference between the USA and Europe. And when my language-skills are concerned… let’s just say that they beat the German of those, whom I argued with. I learned though.

By: Lynx

Lynx — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:44:36 +0000

Two of my cousins, though not idiots, could hardly be called intellectual, and I don’t think they spend much time on politics or religion.

You yourself laid the groundwork by saying “you have to be able to come to the conclusion that god doesn’t exist (especially if you’re coming from a religious family).

My family is entirely atheist. My cousins were brought up atheist. They never had to come to any conclusion about god, such a being was entirely absent from their lives. They live surrounded by secular people, so they have never been particularly challenged to defend their beliefs. So sure you can be incurious and be an atheist, especially if you’re coming from an atheist family.