[kidcolin]

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But if this is true it suggests that the smarter people think these things about religious beliefs. And people who can think better are big favorites to be right when arguing with people who can't think as well.




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There is no doubt that smarter people tend to think these things. But most of them think this way for non-smart reasons. You ask too much of science or mathematics when you begin using them to answer metaphysical questions.

It is correct that when very smart people think that something is false that it is more likely that it is false. But the relevance of this statistic diminishes as the topic departs from their areas of expertise.


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You're dangerously close to mistaking knowledge possessed and thinking ability are one in the same. Also, saying "they think these things for non-smart reasons" isn't supporting any argument one way or the other. All it is saying is that the group of people David is talking about isn't actually smart.

i.e., David is implying that strong thinking minds have put some thought into this and reached this conclusion, not that people with reputations for being smart are just saying "religion is dumb" and not backing it up properly.