Weak atheism and intelligence

Citing data from the General Social Survey (GSS), Theodore Beale writes: "..the two most common types of atheists are the High Church atheists with +2SD IQs (128+) and Low Church atheists with -2SD IQs (65-72). Note that the Low Church atheists actually outnumber the High Church atheists, 22.9 to 17.2 percent." (click on the graph above to enlarge)

Weak Atheism (sometimes referred to as "negative atheism") describes a belief system and philosophical stance whereby a person lacks a belief in God/gods.

Leading encyclopedias of philosophy use a more strict definition of atheism (See: Definition of atheism). For example, atheism, as defined by the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, the Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, and other philosophy reference works, is the denial of the existence of God.

Social scientists use variant definitions of atheism.

In his article How Many Americans are Atheists? Fewer than You Might Think, Bradley Wright wrote:

“

Another quality measure is offered by the General Social Survey, probably the best-known, most rigorous social survey out there. It gives respondents a series of statements about their beliefs in God, and it asks which come closest to what they believe. The 2010 survey found that: • 3% of Americans “don’t believe in God.” • (Another 6% reported that they “don’t know whether there is a God and don’t believe there is any way to find out,” i.e., agnostics.)

”

The General Social Survey (GSS) is the "largest project funded by the Sociology Program of the National Science Foundation. Except for the U.S. Census, the GSS is the most frequently analyzed source of information in the social sciences."

Weak Atheism is an individual merely lacking a belief there is a God/gods. Using this very broad definition of definition of atheism, there are atheists who argue that babies are atheists.

Citing data from the General Social Survey, Theodore Beale writes about atheist intelligence quotient (IQ) scores:

“

"..the two most common types of atheists are the High Church atheists with +2SD IQs (128+) and Low Church atheists with -2SD IQs (65-72). Note that the Low Church atheists actually outnumber the High Church atheists, 22.9 to 17.2 percent...

”

As noted above, describes a belief system and philosophical stance whereby a person lacks a belief in God/gods. Using this very broad definition of definition of atheism, there are atheists who argue that babies are atheists (Of course, atheists cannot verify what is in the minds of babies). Also, using this very broad definition of definition of atheism, it could be argued that individuals with severe mental disabilities and/or individuals born with extremely low IQs are more apt to be weak atheists (Of course, this also would be difficult to verify in many cases). This helps explain why the General Social Survey (GSS) data has twice as many low IQ atheists as high IQ atheists.

See also

• Atheism and intelligence

• Atheism, intelligence and the General Social Survey

• Intelligence trends in religious countries and secular countries

Atheism and the theory of multiple intelligences:

• Atheism and the theory of multiple intelligences

• Atheism and moral intelligence

• Atheism and interpersonal intelligence

• Atheism and emotional/intrapersonal intelligence

• Atheism and bodily-kinesthetic intelligence

• Atheism and musical–rhythmic intelligence and artistic intelligence

• Atheism and naturalistic intelligence

• Atheist community and verbal–linguistic intelligence