Conservapedia

Difference between revisions of "European atheism and intelligence"
 
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[[File:Europe pol 2004.jpg|thumbnail|right|326px|In 2014, the Pew Research Forum indicated that [[Europe]] will go from 11% of the world's population to 7% of the world's population by 2050.<ref>[https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/02/03/10-projections-for-the-global-population-in-2050/ 10 projections for the global population in 2050] By Rakesh Kochhar, Pew Research Forum, February 3, 2014</ref>]]
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[[File:Europe pol 2004.jpg|thumbnail|right|326px|In 2014, the Pew Research Forum indicated that [[Europe]] will go from 11% of the world's population to 7% of the world's population by 2050.<ref>[http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/02/03/10-projections-for-the-global-population-in-2050/ 10 projections for the global population in 2050] By Rakesh Kochhar, Pew Research Forum, February 3, 2014</ref>]]
 
 
From a global perspective, [[Europe]] is more secular/[[Atheism|atheistic]] than the rest of the world although it does have a considerable amount of religious immigrants who have higher birth rates (see: [[Secular Europe]] and [[Atheist population]] and [[Global atheism]]).  
 
From a global perspective, [[Europe]] is more secular/[[Atheism|atheistic]] than the rest of the world although it does have a considerable amount of religious immigrants who have higher birth rates (see: [[Secular Europe]] and [[Atheist population]] and [[Global atheism]]).  
  
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The current [[Atheist Population|atheist population]] mostly resides in East Asia (particularly China) and in secular Europe/Australia among whites.<ref>[http://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], By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey, ''Washington Post'', May 23, 2013</ref> See: [[Asian atheism]] and [[Western atheism and race]]  
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The current [[Atheist Population|atheist population]] mostly resides in East Asia (particularly China) and in secular Europe/Australia among whites.<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], By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey, ''Washington Post'', May 23, 2013</ref> See: [[Asian atheism]] and [[Western atheism and race]]  
  
 
According to a poll measuring religious identification in the European Union in 2012 by Eurobarometer, 16% identify as non-religious/agnostic and 7% of EU citizens identify as atheists.<ref>[http://lfn.wikia.com/wiki/Cultur_de_Europa Cultur de Europa]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121202023700/http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_393_en.pdf Discrimination in the EU in 2012]" (PDF), Special Eurobarometer, 383 (European Union: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Commission European Commission]), p. 233, 2012, archived from [http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_393_en.pdf the original] (PDF) on 2012-12-02, retrieved 14 August 2013 The question asked was "Do you consider yourself to be...?" With a card showing: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Other Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu, Atheist, and Non-believer/Agnostic. Space was given for Other (SPONTANEOUS) and DK. Jewish, Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu did not reach the 1% threshold.</ref>
 
According to a poll measuring religious identification in the European Union in 2012 by Eurobarometer, 16% identify as non-religious/agnostic and 7% of EU citizens identify as atheists.<ref>[http://lfn.wikia.com/wiki/Cultur_de_Europa Cultur de Europa]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121202023700/http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_393_en.pdf Discrimination in the EU in 2012]" (PDF), Special Eurobarometer, 383 (European Union: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Commission European Commission]), p. 233, 2012, archived from [http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_393_en.pdf the original] (PDF) on 2012-12-02, retrieved 14 August 2013 The question asked was "Do you consider yourself to be...?" With a card showing: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Other Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu, Atheist, and Non-believer/Agnostic. Space was given for Other (SPONTANEOUS) and DK. Jewish, Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu did not reach the 1% threshold.</ref>
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== IQ scores reported for various Irreligious European countries  ==
 
== IQ scores reported for various Irreligious European countries  ==
  
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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>
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[[Socioeconomics|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>
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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"/><ref name="NatureIQ"/><ref name="AfricanIQ"/>
  
 
Unless otherwise indicated, the national IQ scores given in this article for European countries 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 in this article for European countries 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"/>
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*[[UK]]: National IQ is 100.<ref name="CountryIQ"/>
 
*[[UK]]: National IQ is 100.<ref name="CountryIQ"/>
  
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*[[The Netherlands]]:  National IQ is 100. <ref name="CountryIQ"/>
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*[[The Netherlands]]:  National IQ is 100.<ref name="CountryIQ"/>
  
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*[[Sweden]]'s national IQ is 99. <ref name="CountryIQ"/>
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*[[Sweden]]'s national IQ is 99.<ref name="CountryIQ"/>
  
 
*[[Estonia]]'s national IQ is 99.<ref name="CountryIQ"/>
 
*[[Estonia]]'s national IQ is 99.<ref name="CountryIQ"/>
  
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*[[Germany]]'s national IQ is 99. <ref name="CountryIQ"/>
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*[[Germany]]'s national IQ is 99.<ref name="CountryIQ"/>
  
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*[[Finland]]'s national IQ is 99. <ref name="CountryIQ"/>
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*[[Finland]]'s national IQ is 99.<ref name="CountryIQ"/>
  
 
*[[Denmark]]'s national IQ is 98.<ref name="CountryIQ"/>
 
*[[Denmark]]'s national IQ is 98.<ref name="CountryIQ"/>
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==  Degree of irreligion for some of the most irreligious countries of Europe ==
 
==  Degree of irreligion for some of the most irreligious countries of Europe ==
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[[File:Sweden location.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>  Sweden's national IQ is 99.<ref name="CountryIQ"/> ]]  
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[[File:Sweden location.png|thumbnail|200px|right|Sweden is one of the most atheistic countries in the world.<ref name="adherents.com">[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref>  Sweden's national IQ is 99.<ref name="CountryIQ"/> ]]  
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Sweden is one of the most [[Atheism|atheistic]] countries in the world and in [[secular Europe]]. The website adherents.com reported that in 2005 46 - 85% of Swedes were agnostics/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref> Sweden also has the 3rd highest rate of belief in evolution as far as [[Western World]] nations.<ref>[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/21329204.html Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds]</ref>
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Sweden is one of the most [[Atheism|atheistic]] countries in the world and in [[secular Europe]]. The website adherents.com reported that in 2005 46 - 85% of Swedes were agnostics/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref name="adherents.com"/> Sweden also has the 3rd highest rate of belief in evolution as far as [[Western World]] nations.<ref name="news.nationalgeographic.com">[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/21329204.html Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds]</ref>
  
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Denmark has the highest rate of belief in evolution in the [[Western World]].<ref>[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/21329204.html Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds]</ref> In addition, in 2005 [[Denmark]] was ranked the third most atheistic country in the world and the website adherents.com reported that in 2005 43 - 80% of Danes are [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref>
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Denmark has the highest rate of belief in evolution in the [[Western World]].<ref name="news.nationalgeographic.com"/> In addition, in 2005 [[Denmark]] was ranked the third most atheistic country in the world and the website adherents.com reported that in 2005 43 - 80% of Danes are [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref name="adherents.com"/>
  
 
Estonia is one of the least [[religion|religious]] areas in the world.  Merely 14% of the population declared religion an important part of their daily lives.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://euobserver.com/social/27587|title=Estonians least religious in the world|date=11 February 2009 |accessdate=9 January 2014|publisher=EU Observer}}</ref>
 
Estonia is one of the least [[religion|religious]] areas in the world.  Merely 14% of the population declared religion an important part of their daily lives.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://euobserver.com/social/27587|title=Estonians least religious in the world|date=11 February 2009 |accessdate=9 January 2014|publisher=EU Observer}}</ref>
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A Eurobarometer poll in 2010 reported that 37% of UK citizens "believed there is a God", 33% believe there is "some sort of spirit or life force" and 25% answered "I don't believe there is any sort of spirit, God or life force".<ref>[http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_341_en.pdf Special Eurobarometer, biotechnology, p. 204"]. Fieldwork: Jan-Feb 2010.</ref>  See also: [[British atheism]]
 
A Eurobarometer poll in 2010 reported that 37% of UK citizens "believed there is a God", 33% believe there is "some sort of spirit or life force" and 25% answered "I don't believe there is any sort of spirit, God or life force".<ref>[http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_341_en.pdf Special Eurobarometer, biotechnology, p. 204"]. Fieldwork: Jan-Feb 2010.</ref>  See also: [[British atheism]]
  
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France was ranked the 8th most atheistic country in the world in 2005.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref> France has the 4th highest rate of belief in evolution in the Western World.<ref>[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/21329204.html Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds]</ref>
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France was ranked the 8th most atheistic country in the world in 2005.<ref name="adherents.com"/> France has the 4th highest rate of belief in evolution in the Western World.<ref name="news.nationalgeographic.com"/>
  
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Germany is one of the most [[Atheism|atheistic]] countries in the world and the website adherents.com reports that 41-49% of Germans are [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref>
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Germany is one of the most [[Atheism|atheistic]] countries in the world and the website adherents.com reports that 41-49% of Germans are [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref name="adherents.com"/>
  
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Finland was ranked the 7th most atheistic country in the world in 2005.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref> Finland has the 17th highest rate of belief in evolution in the Western World.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref>  
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Finland was ranked the 7th most atheistic country in the world in 2005.<ref name="adherents.com"/> Finland has the 17th highest rate of belief in evolution in the Western World.<ref name="adherents.com"/>  
  
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In 2005, the Netherlands was ranked the 13th most atheistic country in the world and the website adherents.com reports that in 2005 39 - 44%% of the Dutch were [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/[[atheism|atheists]]/non-believers in God.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref> The Netherlands also has the 11th highest rate of belief in [[evolution]] as far as [[Western World]] nations.<ref>[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/21329204.html Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds]</ref>
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In 2005, the Netherlands was ranked the 13th most atheistic country in the world and the website adherents.com reports that in 2005 39 - 44%% of the Dutch were [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/[[atheism|atheists]]/non-believers in God.<ref name="adherents.com"/> The Netherlands also has the 11th highest rate of belief in [[evolution]] as far as [[Western World]] nations.<ref name="news.nationalgeographic.com"/>
  
 
== Recent intelligence trends in  secular Europe/Australia and the religious United States ==
 
== Recent intelligence trends in  secular Europe/Australia and the religious United States ==
  
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[[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> ]]  
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[[File:Flag of Sweden.png|thumbnail|200px|right|Sweden is one of the most atheistic countries in the world.<ref name="adherents.com"/> In [[Sweden]], phenotypic intelligence is now declining.<ref name="academia.edu">[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]]
  
 
To a certain extent intelligence is heritable and the link between higher IQ individuals having fewer kids is known as dysgenic fertility.<ref>[http://www.examiner.com/article/how-the-world-s-iq-is-decline How the world's IQ is in decline July 31, 2010]</ref>
 
To a certain extent intelligence is heritable and the link between higher IQ individuals having fewer kids is known as dysgenic fertility.<ref>[http://www.examiner.com/article/how-the-world-s-iq-is-decline How the world's IQ is in decline July 31, 2010]</ref>
  
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Michael Blume, a researcher at the University of Jena in Germany, wrote about the sub-replacement level of fertility among [[Atheist Population|atheistic populations]]: "Most societies or communities that have espoused atheistic beliefs have not survived more than a century."<ref>[http://www.scilogs.eu/en/blog/biology-of-religion/2011-01-06/atheists-a-dying-breed-as-nature-favours-faithful-sunday-times-jan-02-2011-jonathan-leake-full-draft-version Atheist: A dying breed as nature favours faithful]</ref> Blume also indicated concerning concerning his research on this matter: "What I found was the complete lack of a single case of a secular population, community or movement that would just manage to retain replacement level."<ref>[http://www.scilogs.eu/en/blog/biology-of-religion/2011-01-06/atheists-a-dying-breed-as-nature-favours-faithful-sunday-times-jan-02-2011-jonathan-leake-full-draft-version Atheist: A dying breed as nature favours faithful]</ref>  See also: [[Atheism and fertility rates]] and [[Atheism and sexuality]]
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Michael Blume, a researcher at the University of Jena in Germany, wrote about the sub-replacement level of fertility among [[Atheist Population|atheistic populations]]: "Most societies or communities that have espoused atheistic beliefs have not survived more than a century."<ref name="scilogs.eu">[http://www.scilogs.eu/en/blog/biology-of-religion/2011-01-06/atheists-a-dying-breed-as-nature-favours-faithful-sunday-times-jan-02-2011-jonathan-leake-full-draft-version Atheist: A dying breed as nature favours faithful]</ref> Blume also indicated concerning concerning his research on this matter: "What I found was the complete lack of a single case of a secular population, community or movement that would just manage to retain replacement level."<ref name="scilogs.eu"/>  See also: [[Atheism and fertility rates]] and [[Atheism and sexuality]]
  
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Professor [[Eric Kaufmann]]'s academic work and his book ''Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?'' argue using a wealth of demographic data that due to the higher birth rates of religious conservatives (and the below replacement level of the irreligious) and religious immigration to the [[Western World]], atheism/secularism will decline in the Western World as early as 2021 or by 2050.<ref>[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London]</ref><ref>[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/2011/05/eric-kaufmann-shall-religious-inherit.html Eric Kaufmann: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?]</ref><ref>[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/search/label/atheist%20demographics Eric Kaufmann's Atheist Demographic series]</ref><ref>[http://fora.tv/2010/09/05/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation]</ref>  
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Professor [[Eric Kaufmann]]'s academic work and his book ''Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?'' argue using a wealth of demographic data that due to the higher birth rates of religious conservatives (and the below replacement level of the irreligious) and religious immigration to the [[Western World]], atheism/secularism will decline in the Western World as early as 2021 or by 2050.<ref>[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London]</ref><ref>[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/2011/05/eric-kaufmann-shall-religious-inherit.html Eric Kaufmann: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?]</ref><ref>[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/search/label/atheist%20demographics Eric Kaufmann's Atheist Demographic series]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwmgFZsgSo0 Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation]</ref>  
  
 
In his paper, ''The Rise and Fall of the World's IQ'', Thomas Hally wrote:
 
In his paper, ''The Rise and Fall of the World's IQ'', Thomas Hally wrote:
 
{{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.
  
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In [[Norway]], [[Sweden]], [[Denmark]], [[Great Britain]] and [[Australia]] phenotypic intelligence has stabilized and 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>}}
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In [[Norway]], [[Sweden]], [[Denmark]], [[Great Britain]] and [[Australia]] phenotypic intelligence has stabilized and is now declining.<ref name="academia.edu">[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>}}
  
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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>
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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>[https://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>
  
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[[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> ]]  
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[[File:Flag of Denmark.png|thumbnail|left|200px|In godless [[Denmark]], phenotypic intelligence is now declining.<ref name="academia.edu">[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> ]]  
  
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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>
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In 2012, it was reported that Norway was the eighth most godless country on earth.<ref name="patheos.com">[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>
  
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Sweden is one of the most atheistic countries in the world and the website adherents.com reported that in 2005 46 - 85% of Swedes were agnostics/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref> In 2012, it was reported to be the 4rth most godless place 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>  Sweden also has the 3rd highest rate of belief in evolution as far as [[Western World]] nations.<ref>[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/21329204.html Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds]</ref> See also: [[Sexual immorality and Sweden]]
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Sweden is one of the most atheistic countries in the world and the website adherents.com reported that in 2005 46 - 85% of Swedes were agnostics/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref name="adherents.com"/> In 2012, it was reported to be the 4rth most godless place on earth.<ref name="patheos.com"/>  Sweden also has the 3rd highest rate of belief in evolution as far as [[Western World]] nations.<ref name="news.nationalgeographic.com"/> See also: [[Sexual immorality and Sweden]]
  
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Denmark has the highest rate of belief in evolution in the [[Western World]].<ref>[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/21329204.html Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds]</ref> In addition, in 2005 [[Denmark]] was ranked the third most atheistic country in the world and the website adherents.com reported that in 2005 43 - 80% of Danes are [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref>
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Denmark has the highest rate of belief in evolution in the [[Western World]].<ref name="news.nationalgeographic.com"/> In addition, in 2005 [[Denmark]] was ranked the third most atheistic country in the world and the website adherents.com reported that in 2005 43 - 80% of Danes are [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref name="adherents.com"/>
  
 
According to Rabbi [[Shmuley Boteach]] and an article on Belief.net, Britain (which was the fountainhead of Darwinism) has become one of the most godless places on earth.<ref>[http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/watchwomanonthewall/2011/07/has-godlessness-truly-%E2%80%98doomed%E2%80%99-great-britain.html HAS GODLESSNESS TRULY ‘DOOMED’ GREAT BRITAIN?]
 
According to Rabbi [[Shmuley Boteach]] and an article on Belief.net, Britain (which was the fountainhead of Darwinism) has become one of the most godless places on earth.<ref>[http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/watchwomanonthewall/2011/07/has-godlessness-truly-%E2%80%98doomed%E2%80%99-great-britain.html HAS GODLESSNESS TRULY ‘DOOMED’ GREAT BRITAIN?]
Line 154: Line 155:
  
 
For more information, including how economic/societal deterioration is lowering intelligence scores in some secular countries, please see: [[Intelligence trends in religious countries and secular countries]]
 
For more information, including how economic/societal deterioration is lowering intelligence scores in some secular countries, please see: [[Intelligence trends in religious countries and secular countries]]
−
 
−
== Secular European countries, religious immigration and IQ ==
 
−
 
−
Developed countries with greater wealth, better educational systems and nutrition often have a cultural heritage of [[Christianity]] and often have significant Christian populations within them.<ref>[http://www.pewforum.org/2011/12/19/global-christianity-exec/ Global Christianity – A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World’s Christian Population], Pew Forum, December 10, 2011</ref><ref>[https://www.cai.org/bible-studies/these-were-christian-nations These Were Christian Nations]</ref>
 
−
 
−
Formerly Christian countries which have become secularized very often have sub-replacement fertility rates and policies which encourage immigration (and as noted above, [[Eric Kaufmann|many of these immigrants]] are religious). See also: [[Secular Europe|Desecularization of secular Europe in the 21st century]] and [[Secular Europe|Growth of evangelical Protestantism in Europe]]
 
−
 
−
=== Immigrant group's IQ can rise if there is economic opportunity ===
 
−
 
−
As far as immigrants, IQs differ by country which is not surprising since poverty and its attendant maladies such as poor nutrition lowers a nation's IQ. In short, factors such as greater wealth with its attendant better quality of education/health/nutrition help increase IQ scores.<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> 
 
−
 
−
However, if there is economic opportunity for immigrants from poor countries, an immigrant group's IQ  rises and can even surpass the native population's IQ depending on their ambition/discipline level since wealth and higher IQs is highly correlated (Thomas J. Stanley, Ph.D. points out that it is often a person's work ethic and frugality that leads to wealth more than a person's intelligence.<ref>''The Millionaire Mind'' by Thomas J. Stanley, Ph.D.</ref>  In addition, the social scientists Andrea L. Duckworth and Martin Seligman found that higher degrees of [[self-control|self-discipline]] better predict higher academic grades than IQ scores do among adolescents.<ref>[http://www.sas.upenn.edu/~duckwort/images/PsychologicalScienceDec2005.pdf Self-Discipline Outdoes IQ in Predicting Academic Performance of Adolescents], Andrea L. Duckworth and Martin Seligman, Positive Psychology Center, University of Pennsylvania</ref>).
 
−
 
−
For example, Ron Untz wrote:
 
−
{{cquote|Perhaps the strongest evidence supporting this cultural rather than genetic hypothesis comes from the northwestern corner of Europe, namely Celtic Ireland. When the early waves of Catholic Irish immigrants reached America near the middle of the 19th century, they were widely seen as particularly ignorant and uncouth and aroused much hostility from commentators of the era, some of whom suggested that they might be innately deficient in both character and intelligence. But they advanced economically at a reasonable pace, and within less than a century had become wealthier and better educated than the average white American, including those of “old stock” ancestry. The evidence today is that the tested IQ of the typical Irish-American—to the extent it can be distinguished—is somewhat above the national white American average of around 100 and also above that of most German-Americans, who arrived around the same time.<ref>[http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/race-iq-and-wealth/ Race, IQ, and Wealth
 
−
What the facts tell us about a taboo subject] By Ron Unz • July 18, 2012</ref>}}
 
−
 
−
In addition, often immigrants are more entrepreneurial which can provide an economic boost to countries which will help boost their national IQ scores. In 2012, ''The Economist'' magazine pointed out that one of the significant factors for secular Europe's economic malaise is a chronic failure to encourage entrepreneurial activity.<ref>[http://www.economist.com/node/21559618 Les misérables]</ref> Historically, atheists have often tilted to left in their politics and as a result [[socialism]]/[[communism]] has often been prevalent in atheistic countries rather than [[free market]] [[capitalism]] which encourages entrepreneurship (see: [[Atheism and politics]] and [[Atheism and communism]]).
 
−
 
−
=== Protestant work ethic, European immigrants, wealth and IQ ===
 
−
 
−
On July 12, 2012, the ''Christian Science Monitor'' reported:
 
−
{{cquote|French scholars say, evangelicalism is likely the fastest-growing religion in France – defying all stereotypes about Europe’s most secular nation...
 
−
 
−
Daniel Liechti, vice-president of the French National Evangelical Council, found that since 1970, a new evangelical church has opened in France every 10 days. The number of churches increased from 769 to 2,068 last year.<ref>[http://www.csmonitor.com/World/2012/0712/In-a-France-suspicious-of-religion-evangelicalism-s-message-strikes-a-chord In a France suspicious of religion, evangelicalism's message strikes a chord]</ref>}}
 
−
 
−
As noted above, in terms of economic development, biblical Christianity has historically had a positive affect on countries.<ref>
 
−
*[http://blog.tifwe.org/the-protestant-work-ethic-alive-well-in-china/ The Protestant Work Ethic: Alive & Well…In China] By Hugh Whelchel on September 24, 2012
 
−
*[http://creation.com/christianity-as-progress  ''Christianity as progress: A review of The Victory of Reason: How Christianity Led to Freedom, Capitalism, and Western Success by Rodney Stark
 
−
Random House, New York, 2005''] by Lael Weinberger
 
−
*[http://creation.com/the-biblical-origins-of-science-review-of-stark-for-the-glory-of-god  The biblical origins of science: A review of For The Glory of God: How Monotheism Led to Reformations, Science, Witch-hunts and the End of Slavery by Rodney Stark] by Alex Williams</ref>  Also, as mentioned above, [[Harvard University]] historian Niall Ferguson declared: "Through a mixture of hard work and thrift the [[Protestantism|Protestant]] societies of the North and West Atlantic achieved the most rapid economic growth in history." (See: [[Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism|Protestant work ethic and capitalism]] and [[Protestant cultural legacies]]).<ref>[http://blog.tifwe.org/the-protestant-work-ethic-alive-well-in-china/ The Protestant Work Ethic: Alive & Well…In China] By Hugh Whelchel on September 24, 2012</ref>  European countries with a cultural heritage of Protestantism are often economically prosperous and have among the highest IQs in Europe (Yet, as noted above as they have become secularized some of the countries IQs are falling due to "dysgenic fertility").<ref>[http://iqcomparisonsite.com/NationalIQs.aspx IQs of countries]</ref>
 
−
 
−
Accordingly, evangelical Christians from Africa and other countries could prove to be an economic long-term benefit to France/Europe and higher wealth is associated with higher IQs. [[Global Christianity]], particularly [[conservative Christianity]], is seeing a significant amount of growth in the world today which certainly could affect future European immigration.
 
−
 
−
=== Immigrant groups, IQ and discrimination/poor assimilation ===
 
−
 
−
On the other hand, as far as immigrants immigrating into a more prosperous country, if there is widespread discrimination against an immigrant group and/or poor assimilation, the immigrant's group IQ will not see as big a jump due to the slower economic progress of the immigrant group.
 
−
 
−
The London School of Economics and Political Science reported:
 
−
{{cquote|There is growing concern in France that [[Islam|Muslim]] immigrants from North Africa are poorly integrated into French society, often due to discrimination. But are they discriminated against because of their religion, or because of their national or ethnic origins? Claire Adida, David Laitin and Marie-Anne Valfort address this very issue, and find that Muslims face significantly higher levels of discrimination from rooted French (defined as French nationals with four grandparents born in metropolitan France) than do their Christian counterparts, and that the dynamics leading to such discrimination are likely to endure.<ref>[http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2013/01/31/muslims-france-north-africa-senegal-discrimination/ Muslim immigrants have come to expect discrimination in France because of their religion, and this is unlikely to change]</ref>}}
 
−
 
−
In France, Britain, Sweden and other European countries, Muslims have often not assimilated well into countries and Muslim riots have ensued.<ref>[http://www.bnp.org.uk/news/christians-killed-muslim-riots-%E2%80%93-scary-glimpse-britains-future-under-islam Muslim riots in Britain]</ref><ref>[http://www.bnp.org.uk/news/christians-killed-muslim-riots-%E2%80%93-scary-glimpse-britains-future-under-islam Muslim riots in France]</ref><ref>[http://www.wnd.com/2013/05/youth-rioting-in-sweden-its-the-muslims-stupid/ 'Youth rioting' in Sweden? It's the Muslims, stupid]</ref><ref>[http://www.frontpagemag.com/2014/dgreenfield/muslim-protesters-in-europe-protest-for-peace-by-threatening-to-kill-jews/ Muslim Protestor in Europe]</ref> [[Islam]]ic cultures are very different from cultures which have been influenced by Christiannity. For example, Muslim countries are often less democratic and frequently have significant corruption issues (NGO Transparency International's annual index finds Muslim-majority countries are 8 of 10 most corrupt nations<ref>[http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/174773#.VJFQE3uMG1s Index: 8 Muslim-Majority Nations Among 10 Most Corrupt]</ref>).
 
−
 
−
Corruption often depletes a countries wealth so many Muslim nations which lack natural resources such as Middle Eastern oil, have many poor citizens.<ref>[http://www.transparency.org/whoweare/organisation/faqs_on_corruption/2/ Effect of corruption on a country], Transparency International</ref><ref>[http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=d07_1369844469#XH6cmvzQxi4IoFcs.99 Muslims are the world’s poorest, weakest and illiterate]</ref>
 
−
 
−
In 2013, LiveLeak reported about Muslim economic performance:
 
−
{{cquote|The combined annual GDP of 57 Muslim countries remains under $2 trillion. America, just by herself, produces goods and services worth $10.4 trillion; China $5.7 trillion, Japan $3.5 trillion and Germany $2.1 trillion. Even India’s GDP is estimated at over $3 trillion (purchasing power parity basis).
 
−
 
−
Oil rich Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., Kuwait and Qatar collectively produce goods and services (mostly oil) worth $430 billion; Netherlands alone has a higher annual GDP while Buddhist Thailand produces goods and services worth $429 billion.
 
−
 
−
Muslims are 22 percent of the world population and produce less than five percent of global GDP.<ref>[http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=d07_1369844469#XH6cmvzQxi4IoFcs.99 Muslims are the world’s poorest, weakest and illiterate]</ref>}}
 
−
 
−
And since poverty is related to lower IQs, poor Muslim countries have lower national IQ scores than  [[Western World]] countries.<ref>[http://www.photius.com/rankings/national_iq_scores_country_ranks.html National IQs]</ref>
 
−
 
−
Another reason for culture clash among seculars/[[atheism|atheists]] and Muslims is that both groups have a history of intolerance and/or militancy (see: [[Militant atheism]] and [[Atheism and anger]] [[Suppression of alternatives to evolution]]  and [[Atheism and Mass Murder]] and [[Irreligion/religion and war|Islam and War]]), so a certain amount societal friction is a natural result. The atheist Pat Condell is among the most vociferous anti-Muslim video makers on YouTube. However, since atheists are often [[leftism|leftists]] and [[multiculturism]] is a part of leftism, many atheists decry anti-Muslim discrimination (The multiculturism of atheists frequently does not extend to Christian culture. In such cases, atheist tolerance of Muslims may be in some cases an example of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend"). In many Muslim countries, atheists often face severe punishments.<ref>[http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2014/12/atheism-belief-and-persecution The Cost of Unbelief], The Economist</ref>
 
−
 
−
==== New Atheists and accusations of Islamophobia ====
 
−
 
−
The [[New Atheism|New Atheists]] [[Richard Dawkins]], [[Sam Harris]] and the late [[Christopher Hitchens]] have received multiple accusations of engaging in [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]] behavior.<ref>
 
−
*[http://www.salon.com/2013/03/30/dawkins_harris_hitchens_new_atheists_flirt_with_islamophobia/ Dawkins, Harris, Hitchens: New Atheists flirt with Islamophobia] by Nathan Lean, ''Salon'', March 30, 2013
 
−
*[http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/apr/03/sam-harris-muslim-animus Sam Harris, the New Atheists, and anti-Muslim animus] by Glenn Greenwald, ''The Guardian'', April 3, 2013</ref> On the other hand, defenders of atheist criticisms of [[Islam]]/Muslims indicated that New Atheists should be able to criticize Islam without being accused of Islamophobia.<ref>[http://www.newstatesman.com/religion/2013/04/new-atheism-should-be-able-criticise-islam-without-being-accused-islamophobia New Atheism should be able to criticise Islam without being accused of Islamophobia] by Andrew Zak Williams, ''New Statesman'', Published 19 April 2013</ref>
 
−
 
−
=== Future of immigration to Europe uncertain ===
 
−
 
−
The future of immigration to Europe is difficult to determine. Should Europe's economic condition worsen in the future it will be less attractive to immigrants and anti-immigration politics could heighten due to increased competition for scarcer job opportunities. In addition, anti-Muslim sentiments in Europe appear to be rising so the proportion of immigration from Muslim countries could be affected due to politicians catering to anti-Muslim public sentiments.
 
  
 
== Secular Europe, alcoholism and loss of brain functionality ==
 
== Secular Europe, alcoholism and loss of brain functionality ==
  
 
''See also:'' [[Secular Europe and alcoholism]] and [[Secular Europe and obesity]] and [[Secular Europe]]
 
''See also:'' [[Secular Europe and alcoholism]] and [[Secular Europe and obesity]] and [[Secular Europe]]
−
[[File:Europe map CIA 2005.jpg|thumbnail|200px|left|According to the [[World Health Organization]]'s (WHO) regional office in [[Europe]], "The WHO European Region has the highest proportion in the world of total ill health and premature death due to alcohol.<ref>[http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/disease-prevention/alcohol-use/data-and-statistics World Health Organization's (WHO) regional office in Europe- Alcohol usage of Europe]</ref>]]
+
[[File:Europe map CIA 2005.jpg|thumbnail|200px|left|According to the [[World Health Organization]]'s (WHO) regional office in [[Europe]], "The WHO European Region has the highest proportion in the world of total ill health and premature death due to alcohol.<ref name="euro.who.int">[http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/disease-prevention/alcohol-use/data-and-statistics World Health Organization's (WHO) regional office in Europe- Alcohol usage of Europe]</ref>]]
  
 
According to the [[World Health Organization]]'s (WHO) regional office in [[Europe]]:
 
According to the [[World Health Organization]]'s (WHO) regional office in [[Europe]]:
Line 234: Line 170:
 
The risk of death from a chronic alcohol-related condition is found to increase linearly from zero consumption in a dose–response manner with the volume of alcohol consumed.
 
The risk of death from a chronic alcohol-related condition is found to increase linearly from zero consumption in a dose–response manner with the volume of alcohol consumed.
  
−
At a societal level, the European Union is the heaviest-drinking region in the world, with over one fifth of the European population aged 15 years and above reporting heavy episodic drinking (five or more drinks on an occasion, or 60g alcohol) at least once a week. Heavy episodic drinking is widespread across all ages and all of Europe, and not only among young people or those from northern Europe.<ref>[http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/disease-prevention/alcohol-use/data-and-statistics World Health Organization's (WHO) regional office in Europe- Alcohol usage of Europe]</ref>}}
+
At a societal level, the European Union is the heaviest-drinking region in the world, with over one fifth of the European population aged 15 years and above reporting heavy episodic drinking (five or more drinks on an occasion, or 60g alcohol) at least once a week. Heavy episodic drinking is widespread across all ages and all of Europe, and not only among young people or those from northern Europe.<ref name="euro.who.int">[http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/disease-prevention/alcohol-use/data-and-statistics World Health Organization's (WHO) regional office in Europe- Alcohol usage of Europe]</ref>}}
 
=== Atheism, alcoholism, binge drinking and brain damage ===
 
=== Atheism, alcoholism, binge drinking and brain damage ===
  
Line 244: Line 180:
  
 
Currently, there is a downward trend in intelligence scores in secular countries (see:  [[Intelligence trends in religious countries and secular countries]]).
 
Currently, there is a downward trend in intelligence scores in secular countries (see:  [[Intelligence trends in religious countries and secular countries]]).
−
 
−
== Atheism, obesity, secular countries and falling rates of intelligence ==
 
−
 
−
[[File:Union jack.jpg|right|thumbnail|250px|In May 2014, the British paper ''The Mirror'' reported that according to the [[Britain|British]] medical journal ''Lancet'', British girls are the most overweight girls in [[Western Europe]].<ref>[http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology-science/science/british-girls-fattest-western-europe-3620185 British girls are FATTEST in western Europe claims alarming new research by The Lancet], ''Mirror'', Ben Burrows, May 29, 2014 10:52</ref>
 
−
 
−
In [[Great Britain|Britain]], which is a country less religious than many countries, 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><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> See: [[Intelligence trends in religious countries and secular countries|Intelligence trends in secular countries]] ]]
 
−
 
−
''See also:'' [[Atheism and obesity]] and [[Atheism, obesity, secular countries and falling rates of intelligence]]
 
−
 
−
[[Obesity]] is a significant problem in many atheistic/irreligious countries such as the countries in [[secular Europe]] (see: [[Secular Europe and obesity]] and [[China and obesity]]). 
 
−
 
−
In the journal article ''Religion, self-regulation, and self-control: Associations, explanations, and implications'', psychologists McCullough and Willoughby theorize that many of the positive links of religiousness with health and social behavior may be caused by religion's beneficial influences on [[self-control]]/self-regulation.<ref>[http://www.psy.miami.edu/faculty/mmccullough/Papers/Relig_self_control_bulletin.pdf Religion, Self-Regulation, and Self-Control: Associations, Explanations, and Implications]</ref><ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19210054</ref> Furthermore, a 2012 Queen's University study published in ''Psychological Science'' found that religion replenishes self-control.<ref>[http://pss.sagepub.com/content/early/2012/05/02/0956797611431987.abstract ''Religion Replenishes Self-Control'', ''Psychological Science'', June 2012 vol. 23 no. 6 635-642, Kevin Rounding, Albert Lee, Jill A. Jacobson and Li-Jun Ji at Queen’s University]</ref><ref>[http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-01/qu-qsf012412.php Study finds religion helps us gain self-control]</ref>  Also, numerous studies indicate that those who engage in regular spiritual practices have lower mortality rates.<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10868765 Religious involvement and mortality: a meta-analytic review. McCullough ME, Hoyt WT, Larson DB, Koenig HG, Thoresen C., Health Psychol. 2000 May;19(3):211-22.]</ref><ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1305900/ ''The role of spirituality in health care'', roc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). 2001 October; 14(4): 352–357.]</ref>
 
−
 
−
According to the [[Gallup poll|Gallup Inc.]], "Very religious Americans are more likely to practice healthy behaviors than those who are moderately religious or nonreligious."<ref>http://www.gallup.com/poll/145379/Religious-Americans-Lead-Healthier-Lives.aspx</ref>
 
−
 
−
For more information, please see: [[Atheism and obesity]]
 
−
 
−
=== Obesity and its negative impact on intelligence ===
 
−
 
−
''See also:'' [[Obesity and its negative impact on intelligence]]
 
−
 
−
On October 15, 2006, The Telegraph reported in an article entitled ''The greater your weight, the lower your IQ, say scientists'':
 
−
{{cquote|It is bad for your blood pressure, knocks years off your life and is a strain on your heart. Now scientists have discovered that gaining weight lowers your intelligence.
 
−
 
−
The findings follow last week's government figures that show Britain as the "fat man" of Europe, with nearly a quarter of adults and more than 14 per cent of children under 16 classified as obese.
 
−
 
−
The new five-year study of more than 2,200 adults claims to have found a link between obesity and the decline in a person's cognitive function. The research, conducted by French scientists, which is published in this month's Neurology journal, involved men and women aged between 32 and 62 taking four mental ability tests that were then repeated five years later.
 
−
 
−
The researchers found that people with a Body Mass Index – a measure of body fat – of 20 or less could recall 56 per cent of words in a vocabulary test, while those who were obese, with a BMI of 30 or higher, could remember only 44 per cent.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1531487/The-greater-your-weight-the-lower-your-IQ-say-scientists.html The greater your weight, the lower your IQ, say scientists], By Nina Goswami,'' The Telegraph,'' 12:01AM BST 15 Oct 2006</ref>}}
 
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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*[[African atheism and intelligence]]
 
*[[African atheism and intelligence]]
 +
 +
'''British atheists ducking debates:'''
 +
 +
*[[Atheism and cowardice#British Humanist Association|British Humanist Association pulled out of debate]]
 +
 +
*[[Atheism and cowardice#Richard Dawkins|British new atheist Richard Dawkins ducks debates]]
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
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[[Category:Atheism]]
 
[[Category:Atheism]]
 
[[Category:Psychology]]
 
[[Category:Psychology]]
−
[[Category: Sociology]]
+
[[Category:Sociology]]

Latest revision as of 02:41, May 20, 2019

In 2014, the Pew Research Forum indicated that Europe will go from 11% of the world's population to 7% of the world's population by 2050.[1]

From a global perspective, Europe is more secular/atheistic than the rest of the world although it does have a considerable amount of religious immigrants who have higher birth rates (see: Secular Europe and Atheist population and Global atheism).

The current atheist population mostly resides in East Asia (particularly China) and in secular Europe/Australia among whites.[2] See: Asian atheism and Western atheism and race

According to a poll measuring religious identification in the European Union in 2012 by Eurobarometer, 16% identify as non-religious/agnostic and 7% of EU citizens identify as atheists.[3][4]

The 2010 eurobarometer poll found that on total average, of the EU27 population, 51% "believe in a God", 26% believe in "some sort of spirit or life force" and 20% had neither of these forms of belief.[5]

As briefly mentioned above, Europe is presently experiencing desecularization forces through: religious immigrants who have higher fertility rates than moderately religious and the sub-replacement level of fertility of the irreligious in many European countries. This trend is expected to continue and the secular population is projected to plateau by 2050, or as early as 2021 (see also: European desecularization in the 21st century and Growth of global desecularization).[6]

IQ scores reported for various Irreligious European countries

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.[7][8][9] 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.[10]

Although social scientists have disputes about the accuracy of IQ scores in a given region, regions do vary in terms of their IQ scores.[7][8][9]

Unless otherwise indicated, the national IQ scores given in this article for European countries 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.[7]

  • UK: National IQ is 100.[7]

IQ scores of the more religious countries of Italy and Switzerland

Italy and Switzerland are among the top three countries in national IQ scores and they are more religious than the irreligious countries cited above. The national IQ scores of Italy and Switzerland were reported to be 102 and 101 respectively.[7]

The Christian Post reported in 2007 concerning Switzerland:

“ But proponents of creationism contend that most Swiss want creationism taught alongside evolution in biology class.

A survey commissioned by the Christian organization Pro Genesis earlier this year found 80 percent of Swiss want creationism taught in schools, according to swissinfo. Meanwhile, an international survey last year found 30 percent of Swiss reject evolution – one of the highest rates in Europe.[11]

”

Higher intelligence in some East Asia coutnries compared to secular Europe

See: Asian atheism and intelligence

Degree of irreligion for some of the most irreligious countries of Europe

 
Sweden is one of the most atheistic countries in the world.[12] Sweden's national IQ is 99.[7]

Sweden is one of the most atheistic countries in the world and in secular Europe. The website adherents.com reported that in 2005 46 - 85% of Swedes were agnostics/atheists/non-believers in God.[12] Sweden also has the 3rd highest rate of belief in evolution as far as Western World nations.[13]

Denmark has the highest rate of belief in evolution in the Western World.[13] In addition, in 2005 Denmark was ranked the third most atheistic country in the world and the website adherents.com reported that in 2005 43 - 80% of Danes are agnostics/atheists/non-believers in God.[12]

Estonia is one of the least religious areas in the world. Merely 14% of the population declared religion an important part of their daily lives.[14]

From a historical perspective, the Czechs have been characterised as "tolerant and even indifferent towards religion".[15] According to the 2011 census, 34.2% of the Czech population declared they had no religion, 10.3% was Roman Catholic and 10.2% followed other forms of religion both denominational and nondenominational. Furthermore, 45.2% of the population did not answer the question about religion.[16] From 1991 to 2001 and further to 2011 the adherence to Roman Catholicism decreased from 39.0% to 26.8% and then subsequently to 10.3%.[17]

A Eurobarometer poll in 2010 reported that 37% of UK citizens "believed there is a God", 33% believe there is "some sort of spirit or life force" and 25% answered "I don't believe there is any sort of spirit, God or life force".[18] See also: British atheism

France was ranked the 8th most atheistic country in the world in 2005.[12] France has the 4th highest rate of belief in evolution in the Western World.[13]

Germany is one of the most atheistic countries in the world and the website adherents.com reports that 41-49% of Germans are agnostics/atheists/non-believers in God.[12]

Finland was ranked the 7th most atheistic country in the world in 2005.[12] Finland has the 17th highest rate of belief in evolution in the Western World.[12]

In 2005, the Netherlands was ranked the 13th most atheistic country in the world and the website adherents.com reports that in 2005 39 - 44%% of the Dutch were agnostics/atheists/non-believers in God.[12] The Netherlands also has the 11th highest rate of belief in evolution as far as Western World nations.[13]

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

 
Sweden is one of the most atheistic countries in the world.[12] In Sweden, phenotypic intelligence is now declining.[19]

See also: Intelligence trends in religious countries and secular countries

To a certain extent intelligence is heritable and the link between higher IQ individuals having fewer kids is known as dysgenic fertility.[20]

Michael Blume, a researcher at the University of Jena in Germany, wrote about the sub-replacement level of fertility among atheistic populations: "Most societies or communities that have espoused atheistic beliefs have not survived more than a century."[21] Blume also indicated concerning concerning his research on this matter: "What I found was the complete lack of a single case of a secular population, community or movement that would just manage to retain replacement level."[21] See also: Atheism and fertility rates and Atheism and sexuality

Professor Eric Kaufmann's academic work and his book Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth? argue using a wealth of demographic data that due to the higher birth rates of religious conservatives (and the below replacement level of the irreligious) and religious immigration to the Western World, atheism/secularism will decline in the Western World as early as 2021 or by 2050.[22][23][24][25]

In his paper, The Rise and Fall of the World's IQ, Thomas Hally wrote:

“ 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.

In Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Great Britain and Australia phenotypic intelligence has stabilized and is now declining.[19]

”

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."[26]

 
In godless Denmark, phenotypic intelligence is now declining.[19]

In 2012, it was reported that Norway was the eighth most godless country on earth.[27]

Sweden is one of the most atheistic countries in the world and the website adherents.com reported that in 2005 46 - 85% of Swedes were agnostics/atheists/non-believers in God.[12] In 2012, it was reported to be the 4rth most godless place on earth.[27] Sweden also has the 3rd highest rate of belief in evolution as far as Western World nations.[13] See also: Sexual immorality and Sweden

Denmark has the highest rate of belief in evolution in the Western World.[13] In addition, in 2005 Denmark was ranked the third most atheistic country in the world and the website adherents.com reported that in 2005 43 - 80% of Danes are agnostics/atheists/non-believers in God.[12]

According to Rabbi Shmuley Boteach and an article on Belief.net, Britain (which was the fountainhead of Darwinism) has become one of the most godless places on earth.[28] In 2012, Great Britain was reported to be the sixth most godless country on earth.[29]

Post World War II, Australia has become a highly secularized country.[30]

Secular Europe, culture and intelligence

See also: Atheism and culture

 
In atheistic Sweden, 81 percent of women said they had been harassed at some point after the age of 15 - compared to the EU average of 55 percent.[31] See: Irreligion and domestic violence

Children in dysfunctional homes/communities and/or homes/communities with financial problems often perform lower on intelligence tests as a result.[32][33]

Secular Europe and various matters of societal dysfunction:

Europe is an economically developed region with growing long term economic problems as can be see by the articles below:

Atheism, theism and culture

As far as a comparison between atheistic/theistic homes/individuals, see:

For more information, including how economic/societal deterioration is lowering intelligence scores in some secular countries, please see: Intelligence trends in religious countries and secular countries

Secular Europe, alcoholism and loss of brain functionality

See also: Secular Europe and alcoholism and Secular Europe and obesity and Secular Europe

 
According to the World Health Organization's (WHO) regional office in Europe, "The WHO European Region has the highest proportion in the world of total ill health and premature death due to alcohol.[34]

According to the World Health Organization's (WHO) regional office in Europe:

“ The WHO European Region has the highest proportion in the world of total ill health and premature death due to alcohol.

A country’s total per capita alcohol consumption is closely related to its prevalence of alcohol-related harm and alcohol dependence. This high level of harm hides enormous alcohol-related health inequalities between eastern and western Europe, particularly for injury deaths.

Both the volume of lifetime alcohol use and a combination of frequency of drinking and amount drunk per occasion increase the risk of health and social harm, largely in a dose-dependent manner.

The risk of death from a chronic alcohol-related condition is found to increase linearly from zero consumption in a dose–response manner with the volume of alcohol consumed.

At a societal level, the European Union is the heaviest-drinking region in the world, with over one fifth of the European population aged 15 years and above reporting heavy episodic drinking (five or more drinks on an occasion, or 60g alcohol) at least once a week. Heavy episodic drinking is widespread across all ages and all of Europe, and not only among young people or those from northern Europe.[34]

”

Atheism, alcoholism, binge drinking and brain damage

See also: Atheism and the brain and Atheism and intelligence

Alcoholism causes cognitive impairment.[35]

A 2012 study suggests that a habit of binge drink risks serious brain damage including increasing memory loss later in adulthood.[36][37]

Currently, there is a downward trend in intelligence scores in secular countries (see: Intelligence trends in religious countries and secular countries).

See also

British atheists ducking debates:

Notes

  1. ↑ 10 projections for the global population in 2050 By Rakesh Kochhar, Pew Research Forum, February 3, 2014
  2. ↑ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live, By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey, Washington Post, May 23, 2013
  3. ↑ Cultur de Europa
  4. ↑ Discrimination in the EU in 2012" (PDF), Special Eurobarometer, 383 (European Union: European Commission), p. 233, 2012, archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-12-02, retrieved 14 August 2013 The question asked was "Do you consider yourself to be...?" With a card showing: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Other Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu, Atheist, and Non-believer/Agnostic. Space was given for Other (SPONTANEOUS) and DK. Jewish, Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu did not reach the 1% threshold.
  5. ↑ "Special Eurobarometer, biotechnology, page 204" (PDF). Fieldwork: Jan-Feb 2010.
  6. ↑ Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann
  7. ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 WORLD RANKING OF COUNTRIES BY THEIR AVERAGE
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Book Review: IQ and the Wealth of Nations, Nature
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Controversial study of African IQ levels is 'deeply flawed', Science Daily, January 21, 2010
  10. ↑ Charles Murray Still Convinced That Whites Are Smarter Than Blacks by Kevin Drum, Mother Jonees, 2017
  11. ↑ Swiss Evangelicals Heat Up Creationism Debate, Christian Post, 2007
  12. ↑ 12.00 12.01 12.02 12.03 12.04 12.05 12.06 12.07 12.08 12.09 12.10 Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds
  14. ↑ Estonians least religious in the world. EU Observer (11 February 2009). Retrieved on 9 January 2014.
  15. ↑ Richard Felix Staar, Communist regimes in Eastern Europe, Issue 269, p. 90
  16. ↑ Richard Felix Staar, Communist regimes in Eastern Europe, Issue 269, p. 90
  17. ↑ Population by denomination and sex: as measured by 1921, 1930, 1950, 1991 and 2001 censuses (Czech and English). Czech Statistical Office. Retrieved on 2010-03-09.
  18. ↑ Special Eurobarometer, biotechnology, p. 204". Fieldwork: Jan-Feb 2010.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 The Rise and Fall of the World's IQ by Thomas Hally
  20. ↑ How the world's IQ is in decline July 31, 2010
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Atheist: A dying breed as nature favours faithful
  22. ↑ Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London
  23. ↑ Eric Kaufmann: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?
  24. ↑ Eric Kaufmann's Atheist Demographic series
  25. ↑ Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
  26. ↑ 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
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 What’s the Most Godless Place on Earth? by Hemant Mehta, May 14, 2012
  28. ↑ HAS GODLESSNESS TRULY ‘DOOMED’ GREAT BRITAIN? by Hallowell”Billy Hallowell
  29. ↑ What’s the Most Godless Place on Earth? by Hemant Mehta, May 14, 2012
  30. ↑ Buttrose, Larry. Buttrose, Larry. Sport, grog and godliness, The Australian. Retrieved on 11 September 2009
  31. ↑ Sweden stands out in domestic violence study Published: 05 Mar 2014 08:3
  32. ↑ Studies Link Childhood Abuse to Adult Social Dysfunction : Research: Neglect is tied to lower IQs and misuse of drugs, alcohol. Results also dispel notions related to temperament and prostitution. February 17, 1991|THOMAS H. MAUGH II | TIMES SCIENCE WRITER
  33. ↑ 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
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 World Health Organization's (WHO) regional office in Europe- Alcohol usage of Europe
  35. ↑ Cognitive impairment in alcoholism by Ilia Theotoka, Annals of General Psychiatry
  36. ↑ http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/binge/a/aa000818a.htm
  37. ↑ http://www.scripps.edu/newsandviews/e_20121022/koob.html
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