so in essence, the test of whether someone is "smart" is whether or not they agree with what you've chosen to believe....why do you believe scientists who don't see proof of a god, are smart?.....
The validity of a claim, such as the existence of god, is not governed by the intelligence of the minds which hold it. Evidence and reason are the deciding factors.
The fact that an intelligent person holds an irrational belief is simply evidence that our brains are able to compartmentalize world-views and models from one another, usually in order to maintain a state of ‘ignorant bliss’ and escape the discomfort of cognitive dissonance.
Smart people who know this and still believe believe because they want to believe. Even they would have to admit that there is no proof.
Just look at who we take seriously on USMB. Do we take anyone who takes the bible literally seriously? No. We blow them off as nuts. So the only people who we even debate with here are people who have philosophical reasons for believing in god(s).
Because we can't prove there is no god, that is why they have FAITH. Because they were brainwashed with fear and hell. Because they want to believe, no other reason.
No. The validity of a claim, such as the existence of god, is not governed by the intelligence of the minds which hold it. Evidence and reason are the deciding factors.
Sir Isaac Newton, one of history’s greatest scientists, was not only intensely religious but also believed in alchemical transmutation. Alchemy is, however, fully incorrect given our modern understanding of chemistry, the atom and nucleosynthysis.
The fact that an intelligent person holds an irrational belief is simply evidence that our brains are able to compartmentalize world-views and models from one another, usually in order to maintain a state of ‘ignorant bliss’ and escape the discomfort of cognitive dissonance.