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This is complete bunk. Why? Because firstly, IQ is flawed because it fails to take into account different forms of intelligence - for instance, an African living in the bush may not be as good linguistically, but will be a far more "intelligent" hunter than the average western person. IQ tests have been repeatedly criticised for failing to adapt to cultural differences, and are effectively geared towards a western understanding of human intelligence - essentially, it's like comparing a long jumper and a sprinter, having them both sprint, and then declaring the sprinter is a better all-round sportsman. Religion could also be linked to, for instance, poverty or desperate conditions. It's all very well sitting back in our cities with power and relatively good pay and oodles of free time, philosophising to ourselves and declaring that god could not possible exist, but for people in packed, impoverished slums, religions serves as a motivator, either by being the only thing that gives people hope, or principally because one is taught it at a young age and doesn't have the time or education to question it with science or reason. This has nothing to do with a "lack of intelligence". Religion is also a much greater part of society - think about England several hundred years ago - many of the great minds were religious, simply because it was just the given thing to be, it was the Zeitgeist. Apologies for the aggressive tone, but this study just reeks of cultural imperialism and sneering at others without really attempting to understand anything. |