Apatheistic Intelligence

topic posted Wed, April 21, 2004 - 6:36 AM by  Peter
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This may be "old news" around here, but...

Something I've noticed over the years-- and now from finding this tribe-- is that people who answer the question "Do you believe in God? with "Does it matter?" generally tend to be of above average (or even MUCH above average) intelligence.

Which sortov begs the question "Does it *require* a certain level of intelligence to be an Apatheist?"
posted by:
Peter
Seattle
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  • Re: Apatheistic Intelligence

    Mon, April 26, 2004 - 2:42 PM
    I'm not sure if MUCH-above-average-intelligence is necessarily a factor, but some natural resistance to dogma and uncomfortableness with "faith" certainly is. The main commonality that I've noticed in the few Apatheists that I personally know, is that we're all skeptical in general.

    If you have ever read Prometheus Rising by Robert Anton Wilson (and if you haven't I HIGHLY recommend it), then you'll be familar with the "8 circuits" of awareness. The vast majority of people operate on circuits 1 & 2 (roughly equivalent to Freud's oral and anal stages of development) almost all of the time. I don't think it's possible to be an Apatheist unless you operate on levels 3 or above at least some of the time. People with above average intelligence usually fall into that category.
  • Re: Apatheistic Intelligence

    Mon, April 26, 2004 - 2:43 PM
    I dont know, but I feel pretty smart right now.
    • Re: Apatheistic Intelligence

      Mon, April 26, 2004 - 7:35 PM
      Same here -- I tied my own shoes today! Hooray!
      • Re: Apatheistic Intelligence

        Thu, April 29, 2004 - 10:39 AM
        When I'm feeling grouchy, I completely agree with Peter... but when I'm feeling somewhat more magnanimous, Lindsay's explanation is sufficient...
        • Re: Apatheistic Intelligence

          Fri, April 30, 2004 - 10:58 PM
          I think that it has as much to do with how you grew up and your own personality as your intelligence. The way I see it, those that are brought up to be religious usually are; those that break that upbringing are generally the rebellious type anyway. Myself I was raised with an open-door approach.

          Basically, my parents were religious but didn't push it on me either way. Some friends started going to sunday school so they asked if I wanted to go. No big deal. It sucked, I left. No big deal. The decision was left up to me.

          Anyone I've talked to (not that that's many) that has had any kind of say in their religious views as a child has chosen philosophies over religions. But I wouldn't say that it has to do with intelligence per se. The most devout religous fervor does lie in the most rural areas, however, which would seem to imply that at least /education/ and /diversity/ have a fair say in the matter...
          • Re: Apatheistic Intelligence

            Sun, May 9, 2004 - 11:21 PM
            its very easy to say (and think) that religion is for the simple minded. but i dont really think thats fair. i like what gabriel had to say plus i happen to believe that some of us are born with more wisdom/perspective than others. this may have to do with "soul age" or some other mysterious thing but don't really know so its easy to just call it "personality" .
            and i've met some DUMB people out there who could give a shit about god and the angelic hierarchy and some really smart folks who were all about god and wanted me to be too.
            interesting connection to the 8 circuit theory!

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