There are religious people who are not dull-witted. The likelihood of sharp people being fundamentalists or effusively religious, however, seems remote to me. Buying into the myths requires more ability to suspend disbelief than I think most fine minds can muster unless their psyches are broken and needy.
Oh, well-said. Well said indeed.
I'd add, that once (in Europe, anyhow) the finest minds used to be concentrated in the Church because that was the only outlet for mental (as against physical) labour for all but the richest. Then, given no non-Xtian knowledge of the world, small wonder that no other insight was sought... especially given the punishments for such seeking.
Now, relying on 'Our Father in Heaven' to solve all problems and resolve all ignorance is really not the most distinguished intellectual path in life. I don't think of it so much as 'dull-witted', however... at best, I see religious faith as a hope for some longer span of awareness or presence, with nothing to be lost if belief proves mis-founded.
A shame that too often 'belief' seems to be used as a palliative for any and all misfortune or wrong decision - especially the 'I know I'm going to Heaven because I believe, and my sins are hence forgiven' stance...
As for me, any faith in the Bible was removed by a combination of reading about evolution and reading the far more dramatic Greek and Sumerian myths... especially when the common sources became apparent... |
