Are religious people really less smart, on average, than atheists?

[Magical Realist]

Doubting the validity of your doubt isn't belief.

Doubting your doubt in god is belief in god, however weak it may be. There is no way around it. And it can't be doubt and belief at the same time without cognitive dissonance.

'quote]Doubting doubt is uncertainty, not belief.

Doubting your doubt isn't uncertain. It's belief. It's the opposite of uncertain.

You just keep proving my point. You're inability to recognize uncertainty demonstrates your dogmatism.

There is no virtue in believing something you also doubt. That's cognitive dissonance. I'd far rather be dogmatic in my doubt than ambivalent in my belief, especially about something that doesn't show any signs of existing.

[Leigha]

Doubting the validity of your doubt isn't belief.

Doubting your doubt in god is belief in god, however weak it may be. There is no way around it. And it can't be doubt and belief at the same time without cognitive dissonance.

'quote]Doubting doubt is uncertainty, not belief.

Doubting your doubt isn't uncertain. It's belief. It's the opposite of uncertain.

You just keep proving my point. You're inability to recognize uncertainty demonstrates your dogmatism.

There is no virtue in believing something you also doubt. That's cognitive dissonance. I'd far rather be dogmatic in my doubt than duplicitous in my belief, especially about something that doesn't show any signs of existing.

Belief isn't based on facts, though. Many believers don't wish to prove to non-believers as to why they believe what they do, as if it's based on objective evidence. Some do, but many don't. Belief is just...belief.

[Magical Realist]

Doubting the validity of your doubt isn't belief.

Doubting your doubt in god is belief in god, however weak it may be. There is no way around it. And it can't be doubt and belief at the same time without cognitive dissonance.

'quote]Doubting doubt is uncertainty, not belief.

Doubting your doubt isn't uncertain. It's belief. It's the opposite of uncertain.

You just keep proving my point. You're inability to recognize uncertainty demonstrates your dogmatism.

There is no virtue in believing something you also doubt. That's cognitive dissonance. I'd far rather be dogmatic in my doubt than duplicitous in my belief, especially about something that doesn't show any signs of existing.

Belief isn't based on facts, though. Many believers don't wish to prove to non-believers as to why they believe what they do, as if it's based on objective evidence. Some do, but many don't. Belief is just...belief.

What distinguishes belief from wishful thinking? For example, I believe in evolution. But I do so based on evidence and logic, not just because I want it to be true.

[Leigha]

Doubting the validity of your doubt isn't belief.

Doubting your doubt in god is belief in god, however weak it may be. There is no way around it. And it can't be doubt and belief at the same time without cognitive dissonance.

'quote]Doubting doubt is uncertainty, not belief.

Doubting your doubt isn't uncertain. It's belief. It's the opposite of uncertain.

You just keep proving my point. You're inability to recognize uncertainty demonstrates your dogmatism.

There is no virtue in believing something you also doubt. That's cognitive dissonance. I'd far rather be dogmatic in my doubt than duplicitous in my belief, especially about something that doesn't show any signs of existing.

Belief isn't based on facts, though. Many believers don't wish to prove to non-believers as to why they believe what they do, as if it's based on objective evidence. Some do, but many don't. Belief is just...belief.

What distinguishes belief from wishful thinking? For example, I believe in evolution. But I do so based on evidence and logic, not just because I want it to be true.

Subjective evidence for some believers, would be enough for them to consider their beliefs to be based on actual evidence. Such evidence would come from believing what their pastors teach for example, or what they've read in ancient holy texts. To some, those stories are just fairy tales, but to others, they believe them. As for objective evidence, or putting those beliefs through a scientific process, I'd agree with you. Wishful thinking for some, is actually enough. Or finding comfort and some sense of peace in believing in something not of ''this'' world. 

You believe in the paranormal, but there isn't any objective evidence to honestly substantiate those beliefs. There's nothing wrong with believing in the evidence that you have found to support your views, but your belief in the paranormal (the process anyway) isn't that far off from how someone religious processes their beliefs.

[Magical Realist]

You believe in the paranormal, but there isn't any objective evidence to honestly substantiate those beliefs.

Yes there is. There's tons of evidence for the paranormal. EVP's and photos and videos and eyewitness accounts. And because my belief is based on the evidence, it bears no resemblance to the wishful thinking of religion.

[Leigha]

You believe in the paranormal, but there isn't any objective evidence to honestly substantiate those beliefs.

Yes there is. There's tons of evidence for the paranormal. EVP's and photos and videos and eyewitness accounts. And because my belief is based on the evidence, it bears no resemblance to the wishful thinking of religion.

But, that's still your opinion. I believe in the possibility of the paranormal...just like the possibility of a spiritual realm. Two different ideas, but how I arrive at my beliefs, follow the same process. I choose to believe in the possibilities. 

But, many people don't believe in the paranormal, despite possible evidence and eye witness accounts to support it. What do you make of those skeptics?

[Magical Realist]

But, that's still your opinion.

It's opinion backed up by evidence. I've posted endless threads of evidence for paranormal phenomena, both here and in Sci Forums. To deny that it is evidence is just delusional. The evidence it there for any to look at. As far as skeptics go, those are just people who haven't examined the evidence. They base their beliefs on what they wish were true, or what they've told each other, that there is no evidence of the paranormal and that the paranormal doesn't exist. It is wishful thinking just like religion.

[Syne]

Doubting your doubt isn't uncertain. It's belief. It's the opposite of uncertain.

You just keep proving my point. You're inability to recognize uncertainty demonstrates your dogmatism.

There is no virtue in believing something you also doubt. That's cognitive dissonance. I'd far rather be dogmatic in my doubt than ambivalent in my belief, especially about something that doesn't show any signs of existing.

Okay, buddy. Whatever you feel you need to tell yourself.

[Leigha]

But, that's still your opinion.

It's opinion backed up by evidence. I've posted endless threads of evidence for paranormal phenomena, both here and in Sci Forums. To deny that it is evidence is just delusional. The evidence it there for any to look at. As far as skeptics go, those are just people who haven't examined the evidence. They base their beliefs on what they wish were true, or what they've told each other, that there is no evidence of the paranormal and that the paranormal doesn't exist. It is wishful thinking just like religion.

I don't disagree, I believe in the possibility of the paranormal. But, your argument is the same argument many believers/theists use. Just different beliefs. Not saying you need to believe in something you wholeheartedly don't believe in, but just the argument style is the same. Many people are skeptical over the information you deem as ''evidence,'' in the same way you are skeptical of what perhaps a religious person considers as evidence to support their beliefs.

[Syne]

I'm pretty sure your beating a dead horse, Leigha.