Changes

[[Socioeconomics|Socioeconomic]] factors have an effect on intelligence.<ref>[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4641149/ Socioeconomic status and the growth of intelligence from infancy through adolescence] by Sophie von Stumma and Robert Plomin, Intelligence. 2015 Jan-Feb; 48: 30–36.</ref>

[[Socioeconomics|Socioeconomic]] factors have an effect on intelligence.<ref>[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4641149/ Socioeconomic status and the growth of intelligence from infancy through adolescence] by Sophie von Stumma and Robert Plomin, Intelligence. 2015 Jan-Feb; 48: 30–36.</ref>

As a result, Socioeconomic factors can cause differences in regional intelligence levels (for example, wealth which can affect the quality of education, health care and nutrition). Although social scientists have disputes about the accuracy of IQ scores in a given region, regions do vary in terms of their IQ scores.<ref name="CountryIQ">[https://iq-research.info/en/page/average-iq-by-country WORLD RANKING OF COUNTRIES BY THEIR AVERAGE]</ref><ref name="NatureIQ">[http://www.nature.com/hdy/journal/v92/n4/full/6800418a.html Book Review: IQ and the Wealth of Nations], ''Nature''</ref><ref name="AfricanIQ">[https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100121155220.htm Controversial study of African IQ levels is 'deeply flawed'], Science Daily, January 21, 2010</ref> Ethnic groups facing discrimination as immigrants and their IQs temporarily dropping and then later rebounding when the discrimination is over, strongly suggests that IQ is significantly affected by one's environment and not due to any inherent and permanent genetic differences between races.<ref>[http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2017/05/charles-murray-still-convinced-whites-are-smarter-blacks Charles Murray Still Convinced That Whites Are Smarter Than Blacks] by Kevin Drum, ''Mother Jonees'', 2017</ref>

As a result, Socioeconomic factors can cause differences in regional intelligence levels (for example, wealth which can affect the quality of education, health care and nutrition). Although social scientists have disputes about the accuracy of IQ scores in a given region, regions do vary in terms of their IQ scores.<ref name="CountryIQ">[https://iq-research.info/en/page/average-iq-by-country WORLD RANKING OF COUNTRIES BY THEIR AVERAGE]</ref><ref name="NatureIQ">[http://www.nature.com/hdy/journal/v92/n4/full/6800418a.html Book Review: IQ and the Wealth of Nations], ''Nature''</ref><ref name="AfricanIQ">[https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100121155220.htm Controversial study of African IQ levels is 'deeply flawed'], Science Daily, January 21, 2010</ref> Ethnic groups facing discrimination as immigrants and their IQs temporarily dropping and then later rebounding when the discrimination is over, strongly suggests that IQ is significantly affected by one's environment and not due to any inherent and permanent genetic differences between races.<ref>[https://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2017/05/charles-murray-still-convinced-whites-are-smarter-blacks Charles Murray Still Convinced That Whites Are Smarter Than Blacks] by Kevin Drum, ''Mother Jonees'', 2017</ref>

Within various countries, standardized intelligence test scores related to the issue of [[atheism|atheists]]/[[agnosticism|agnostics]] vs. [[theism|theists]] intelligence scores often yield conflicting results.<ref>

Within various countries, standardized intelligence test scores related to the issue of [[atheism|atheists]]/[[agnosticism|agnostics]] vs. [[theism|theists]] intelligence scores often yield conflicting results.<ref>

{{cquote|In many areas [[Phenotype|phenotypic]] intelligence has been increasing (the [[Flynn Effect|Flynn Effect]]) while [[Genotype|genotypic]] intelligence is decreasing due to the negative association between intelligence and that which is known as ³[[Dysgenics|dysgenic]] fertility´. Gains of as much as 7.5 IQ points in phenotypic intelligence are much greater than the 0.43 IQ points per generation in the world-wide genotypic IQ that had been estimated for the period 1950-2000. The situation in the industrially developed world appears to follow the lead of the United States and a handful of other developed nations in so far as the phenotypic IQ has been increasing at a greater rate as a result of environmental improvements.

{{cquote|In many areas [[Phenotype|phenotypic]] intelligence has been increasing (the [[Flynn Effect|Flynn Effect]]) while [[Genotype|genotypic]] intelligence is decreasing due to the negative association between intelligence and that which is known as ³[[Dysgenics|dysgenic]] fertility´. Gains of as much as 7.5 IQ points in phenotypic intelligence are much greater than the 0.43 IQ points per generation in the world-wide genotypic IQ that had been estimated for the period 1950-2000. The situation in the industrially developed world appears to follow the lead of the United States and a handful of other developed nations in so far as the phenotypic IQ has been increasing at a greater rate as a result of environmental improvements.

In Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Great Britain and Australia phenotypic intelligence has stabilized and now is declining.<ref>[http://www.academia.edu/1203173/The_Rise_and_Fall_of_the_World_1_ ''The Rise and Fall of the World's IQ''] by Thomas Hally</ref>}}

In Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Great Britain and Australia phenotypic intelligence has stabilized and now is declining.<ref>[https://www.academia.edu/1203173/The_Rise_and_Fall_of_the_World_1_ ''The Rise and Fall of the World's IQ''] by Thomas Hally</ref>}}

The ''Daily Mail'' reported in 2014, "Evidence suggests that the IQs of people in the [[UK]], [[Denmark]] and Australia have declined in the last decade."<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2730791/Are-STUPID-Britons-people-IQ-decline.html Are we becoming more STUPID? IQ scores are decreasing - and some experts argue it's because humans have reached their intellectual peak], ''Daily Mail'', 2014</ref>

The ''Daily Mail'' reported in 2014, "Evidence suggests that the IQs of people in the [[UK]], [[Denmark]] and Australia have declined in the last decade."<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2730791/Are-STUPID-Britons-people-IQ-decline.html Are we becoming more STUPID? IQ scores are decreasing - and some experts argue it's because humans have reached their intellectual peak], ''Daily Mail'', 2014</ref>

[[China]] has the world's largest [[atheism|atheist]] population.

[[China]] has the world's largest [[atheism|atheist]] population.

<ref>[http://www.thechapmans.nl/news/Atheist.pdf Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics (Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], ''Washington Post'' By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey May 23, 2013</ref>  China is a [[communism|communist]] country and the [[Communist Party of China]] requires its members to be atheists (see: [[Atheism and communism]]).<ref>

<ref>[http://www.thechapmans.nl/news/Atheist.pdf Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics (Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], ''Washington Post'' By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey May 23, 2013</ref>  China is a [[communism|communist]] country and the [[Communist Party of China]] requires its members to be atheists (see: [[Atheism and communism]]).<ref>

*[http://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/asia/item/19567-china-s-communist-party-reaffirms-marxism-maoism-atheism China’s Communist Party Reaffirms Marxism, Maoism, Atheism], ''New American'', 2014

*[https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/asia/item/19567-china-s-communist-party-reaffirms-marxism-maoism-atheism China’s Communist Party Reaffirms Marxism, Maoism, Atheism], ''New American'', 2014

*[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/02/china-communist-party-atheism-zhejiang-ban-religious-members-christianity_n_6599722.html China's Communist Party Bans Believers, Doubles Down On Atheism]</ref>  

*[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/02/china-communist-party-atheism-zhejiang-ban-religious-members-christianity_n_6599722.html China's Communist Party Bans Believers, Doubles Down On Atheism]</ref>  

Unless otherwise indicated, the national IQ scores given below for Asian, European countries and Australia comes from the work carried out from 2002 to 2006 by Richard Lynn, a British Professor of Psychology, and Tatu Vanhanen, a Finnish Professor of Political Science, who performed IQ studies in more than 80 countries.<ref name="CountryIQ"/>

Unless otherwise indicated, the national IQ scores given below for Asian, European countries and Australia comes from the work carried out from 2002 to 2006 by Richard Lynn, a British Professor of Psychology, and Tatu Vanhanen, a Finnish Professor of Political Science, who performed IQ studies in more than 80 countries.<ref name="CountryIQ"/>

*[http://www.examiner.com/article/how-the-world-s-iq-is-decline How the world's IQ is in decline] by Gunjan Singh - Cognitive Science Examiner, July 31, 2010

*[http://www.examiner.com/article/how-the-world-s-iq-is-decline How the world's IQ is in decline] by Gunjan Singh - Cognitive Science Examiner, July 31, 2010

*Richard Lynn and Tatu Vanhanen (2006). IQ and Global Inequality. Washington Summit Publishers: Augusta, GA. ISBN 1-59368-025-2

*Richard Lynn and Tatu Vanhanen (2006). IQ and Global Inequality. Washington Summit Publishers: Augusta, GA. ISBN 1-59368-025-2

*[http://www.academia.edu/1203173/The_Rise_and_Fall_of_the_World_1_ ''The Rise and Fall of the World's IQ''] by Thomas Hally

*[https://www.academia.edu/1203173/The_Rise_and_Fall_of_the_World_1_ ''The Rise and Fall of the World's IQ''] by Thomas Hally

*[http://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/science-and-technology/intelligence-quotient-james-flynn Received wisdom: Average IQ is falling in Britain and beyond, explains Philip Hunter] by Philip Hunt, March 21, 2012, Published in April 2012 issue of Prospect Magazine</ref>

*[http://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/science-and-technology/intelligence-quotient-james-flynn Received wisdom: Average IQ is falling in Britain and beyond, explains Philip Hunter] by Philip Hunt, March 21, 2012, Published in April 2012 issue of Prospect Magazine</ref>

== Recent intelligence trends in  secular Europe/Australia and the religious United States ==

== Recent intelligence trends in  secular Europe/Australia and the religious United States ==

[[File:Flag of Sweden.png|thumbnail|200px|right|Sweden is one of the most atheistic countries in the world.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref> In [[Sweden]], phenotypic intelligence is now declining.<ref>[http://www.academia.edu/1203173/The_Rise_and_Fall_of_the_World_1_ ''The Rise and Fall of the World's IQ''] by Thomas Hally</ref> ]]  

[[File:Flag of Sweden.png|thumbnail|200px|right|Sweden is one of the most atheistic countries in the world.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref> In [[Sweden]], phenotypic intelligence is now declining.<ref>[https://www.academia.edu/1203173/The_Rise_and_Fall_of_the_World_1_ ''The Rise and Fall of the World's IQ''] by Thomas Hally</ref> ]]  

''See also:'' [[Intelligence trends in religious countries and secular countries]]

''See also:'' [[Intelligence trends in religious countries and secular countries]]

{{cquote|In many areas phenotypic intelligence has been increasing (the Flynn Effect) while genotypic intelligence is decreasing due to the negative association between intelligence and that which is known as ³dysgenic fertility´. Gains of as much as 7.5 IQ points in phenotypic intelligence are much greater than the 0.43 IQ points per generation in the world-wide genotypic IQ that had been estimated for the period 1950-2000. The situation in the industrially developed world appears to follow the lead of the United States and a handful of other developed nations in so far as the phenotypic IQ has been increasing at a greater rate as a result of environmental improvements.

{{cquote|In many areas phenotypic intelligence has been increasing (the Flynn Effect) while genotypic intelligence is decreasing due to the negative association between intelligence and that which is known as ³dysgenic fertility´. Gains of as much as 7.5 IQ points in phenotypic intelligence are much greater than the 0.43 IQ points per generation in the world-wide genotypic IQ that had been estimated for the period 1950-2000. The situation in the industrially developed world appears to follow the lead of the United States and a handful of other developed nations in so far as the phenotypic IQ has been increasing at a greater rate as a result of environmental improvements.

As noted above, in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Great Britain and Australia phenotypic intelligence has stabilized and now is declining.<ref>[http://www.academia.edu/1203173/The_Rise_and_Fall_of_the_World_1_ ''The Rise and Fall of the World's IQ''] by Thomas Hally</ref>}}

As noted above, in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Great Britain and Australia phenotypic intelligence has stabilized and now is declining.<ref>[https://www.academia.edu/1203173/The_Rise_and_Fall_of_the_World_1_ ''The Rise and Fall of the World's IQ''] by Thomas Hally</ref>}}

As noted above, the ''Daily Mail'' reported in 2014, "Evidence suggests that the IQs of people in the [[UK]], [[Denmark]] and Australia have declined in the last decade."<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2730791/Are-STUPID-Britons-people-IQ-decline.html Are we becoming more STUPID? IQ scores are decreasing - and some experts argue it's because humans have reached their intellectual peak], ''Daily Mail'', 2014</ref>

As noted above, the ''Daily Mail'' reported in 2014, "Evidence suggests that the IQs of people in the [[UK]], [[Denmark]] and Australia have declined in the last decade."<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2730791/Are-STUPID-Britons-people-IQ-decline.html Are we becoming more STUPID? IQ scores are decreasing - and some experts argue it's because humans have reached their intellectual peak], ''Daily Mail'', 2014</ref>

[[File:Flag of Denmark.png|thumbnail|left|200px|In godless [[Denmark]], phenotypic intelligence is now declining.<ref>[http://www.academia.edu/1203173/The_Rise_and_Fall_of_the_World_1_ ''The Rise and Fall of the World's IQ''] by Thomas Hally</ref> ]]  

[[File:Flag of Denmark.png|thumbnail|left|200px|In godless [[Denmark]], phenotypic intelligence is now declining.<ref>[https://www.academia.edu/1203173/The_Rise_and_Fall_of_the_World_1_ ''The Rise and Fall of the World's IQ''] by Thomas Hally</ref> ]]  

In 2012, it was reported that Norway was the eighth most godless country on earth.<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2012/05/14/whats-the-most-godless-place-on-earth/ What’s the Most Godless Place on Earth?] by [[Hemant Mehta]], May 14, 2012</ref>

In 2012, it was reported that Norway was the eighth most godless country on earth.<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2012/05/14/whats-the-most-godless-place-on-earth/ What’s the Most Godless Place on Earth?] by [[Hemant Mehta]], May 14, 2012</ref>

[[Image:Billcraig_czvx.jpg‎‎|thumb|150px|Dr. [[William Lane Craig]] ]]

[[Image:Billcraig_czvx.jpg‎‎|thumb|150px|Dr. [[William Lane Craig]] ]]

Dr. [[William Lane Craig]] is one of Christianity's leading defenders and many individuals over the years have attempted to arrange a debate between Dr. Craig and Richard Dawkins. Richard Dawkins has offered various ruses on why he will not debate William Lane Craig, which Dr. Craig supporters have shown were inconsistent and merely a dodge to avoid debating one of Christianity's strongest advocates.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlnVe934u38&feature=related</ref><ref name="uncommon">[http://www.uncommondescent.com/evolution/william-lane-craig-is-avoided-by-richard-dawkins William Lane Craig is avoided by Richard Dawkins]</ref>  

Dr. [[William Lane Craig]] is one of Christianity's leading defenders and many individuals over the years have attempted to arrange a debate between Dr. Craig and Richard Dawkins. Richard Dawkins has offered various ruses on why he will not debate William Lane Craig, which Dr. Craig supporters have shown were inconsistent and merely a dodge to avoid debating one of Christianity's strongest advocates.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlnVe934u38&feature=related</ref><ref name="uncommon">[http://www.uncommondescent.com/evolution/william-lane-craig-is-avoided-by-richard-dawkins William Lane Craig is avoided by Richard Dawkins]</ref>  

On May 14, 2011, the [[Great Britain|British]] newspaper ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' published a news story entitled "Richard Dawkins accused of cowardice for refusing to debate existence of God".<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8511931/Richard-Dawkins-accused-of-cowardice-for-refusing-to-debate-existence-of-God.html</ref> In ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' article Dr. [[Daniel Came]], a member of the Faculty of [[Philosophy]] at [[Oxford University]] was quoted as writing to fellow atheist Richard Dawkins concerning his refusal to debate Dr. [[William Lane Craig]],  "The absence of a debate with the foremost [[Christian apologetics|apologist]] for Christian theism is a glaring omission on your [[Curriculum vitae|CV]] and is of course apt to be interpreted as cowardice on your part."<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8511931/Richard-Dawkins-accused-of-cowardice-for-refusing-to-debate-existence-of-God.html Richard Dawkins accused of cowardice for refusing to debate existence of God], ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', May 14, 2011</ref>  In October 2011, Dr. Craig went to England and the Daily Telegraph declared that Dawkins is either a fool or a coward for his refusal to debate William Lane Craig plus declared that Dawkins is a "proud man" and a "coward" who puts on an "illiterate, angry schtick" for the public.<ref>[http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/timstanley/100112626/richard-dawkins-is-either-a-fool-or-a-coward-for-refusing-to-debate-william-lane-craig/ Richard Dawkins is either a fool or a coward for refusing to debate William Lane Craig - October 21, 2011 - ''The Daily Telegraph'']</ref>

On May 14, 2011, the [[Great Britain|British]] newspaper ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' published a news story entitled "Richard Dawkins accused of cowardice for refusing to debate existence of God".<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8511931/Richard-Dawkins-accused-of-cowardice-for-refusing-to-debate-existence-of-God.html</ref> In ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' article Dr. [[Daniel Came]], a member of the Faculty of [[Philosophy]] at [[Oxford University]] was quoted as writing to fellow atheist Richard Dawkins concerning his refusal to debate Dr. [[William Lane Craig]],  "The absence of a debate with the foremost [[Christian apologetics|apologist]] for Christian theism is a glaring omission on your [[Curriculum vitae|CV]] and is of course apt to be interpreted as cowardice on your part."<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8511931/Richard-Dawkins-accused-of-cowardice-for-refusing-to-debate-existence-of-God.html Richard Dawkins accused of cowardice for refusing to debate existence of God], ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', May 14, 2011</ref>  In October 2011, Dr. Craig went to England and the Daily Telegraph declared that Dawkins is either a fool or a coward for his refusal to debate William Lane Craig plus declared that Dawkins is a "proud man" and a "coward" who puts on an "illiterate, angry schtick" for the public.<ref>[http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/timstanley/100112626/richard-dawkins-is-either-a-fool-or-a-coward-for-refusing-to-debate-william-lane-craig/ Richard Dawkins is either a fool or a coward for refusing to debate William Lane Craig - October 21, 2011 - ''The Daily Telegraph'']</ref>

1. Metastudies are often unreliable (researchers can arbitrarily pick which studies they include or exclude)

1. Metastudies are often unreliable (researchers can arbitrarily pick which studies they include or exclude)

2. The atheist population is skewed as far as a [[Western atheism and race|predominance of caucasians]] (IQ tests are biased against racial minorities,<ref>[http://academics.hamilton.edu/government/home/government_375/sp97/Race&Testing/rt4.html Race and testing]</ref><ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/j/jencks-gap.html The Black-White Test Score Gap]</ref> see also: [[Western atheism and race]])  

2. The atheist population is skewed as far as a [[Western atheism and race|predominance of caucasians]] (IQ tests are biased against racial minorities,<ref>[http://academics.hamilton.edu/government/home/government_375/sp97/Race&Testing/rt4.html Race and testing]</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/books/first/j/jencks-gap.html The Black-White Test Score Gap]</ref> see also: [[Western atheism and race]])  

3. Given the relative size of the atheist population compared to the much larger [[Theism|theist]] population, there are still many more intelligent theists than atheists (as noted above there are over eleven times the number of high intelligent theists relative to the number of high intelligent atheists)<ref>[http://voxday.blogspot.com/2013/08/mailvox-superior-atheist-intelligence.html MailVox: Superior atheist intelligence]</ref>  

3. Given the relative size of the atheist population compared to the much larger [[Theism|theist]] population, there are still many more intelligent theists than atheists (as noted above there are over eleven times the number of high intelligent theists relative to the number of high intelligent atheists)<ref>[http://voxday.blogspot.com/2013/08/mailvox-superior-atheist-intelligence.html MailVox: Superior atheist intelligence]</ref>