Every now and then, articles and surveys pop up suggesting that religious people are, by whatever criteria, dumber than then general population—or at least dumber than atheists. Today Bishop Barron responds to this and the charge that religion has a “smart-people problem.” A listener asks about new ecclesial movements in the Church.
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Topics Discussed
- 0:05 – Intro and Catholic podcast recommendations
- 1:30 – Bishop Barron’s initial reaction to the articles claiming that religion has a smart-people problem.
- 5:00 – What does it say about religion when studies show that most scientists are atheists?
- 8:30 – Is it worrisome that most professional philosophers are atheists?
- 12:00 – Does it matter that most religious philosophers are theists?
- 13:30 – How does the culture feel about religious people, are they considered childish and simple-minded?
- 17:50 – What does historical evidence tell us about the relationship between science and religion?
- 19:30 – Question from listener: What’s your take on Communion and Liberation and other ecclesial movements in the Church?
Bonus Resources
- Study Program
- Articles
- “Religion’s Smart-People Problem: The Shaky Intellectual Foundations of Absolute Faith” (Salon)
- “A Scientist Looked Through 63 Studies to Conclude Atheists are More Intelligent than Religious People” (Indy 100)
- “Atheists More Intelligent Because They Can Override “Instinctive” Religious Beliefs—But It Will Be Their Downfall” (Newsweek)
- “Religion’s Smart-People Problem: The Shaky Intellectual Foundations of Absolute Faith” (Salon)
- Videos
- Websites
- Brandon’s Recommended Podcasts