There have been several studies of late that purportedly show that atheists have a higher average IQ, and that increased IQ is correlated to lowered or no religious belief. The correlation is that believers are more stupid.
This article counters that in several ways. Higher IQ doesn’t mean a better life. The article points out:
* Believers recover faster from injuries.
* Atheists have fewer kids. They are less likely to marry and more likely to divorce. Therefore, atheists act in ways contrary to social stability.
* Religious people are less likely to be depressed or commit suicide and have more friends - AKA, emotionally healthier.
* Seriously religious people (attending 2 or more services a month) are less likely to abuse drugs, alcohol and partners. Atheists are more likely to be addicted to alcohol, drugs and other substances.
* While atheism is correlated with advanced education like a master’s degree or doctoral degree, average kids who attend religious schools are more likely to graduate and to get an associate’s or bachelor’s degree than others - especially in the inner city.
So while atheists are theoretically the most educated and have the highest IQ, they are the least likely to have happy families, children, strong social relationships, be addiction free or happy in their relationships. Atheists are most likely to not donate money, be mean, die of an overdose, have no strong familial relationships, high blood pressure, poor health and kill themselves. While theoretically “smarter” and “better educated”, they are socially, physically and - in Darwinian terms - ill suited for life.
Some of this summary comes from the linked article in the article linked from FR
http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2006/12/why-religion-matters-even-more-the-impact-of-religious-practice-on-social-stability
In those terms the only issue that matters is how likely they are to reproduce successfully.
In which believers are WAY out in front of atheists.
It is *smart* people = valuable, and "dumb" people ≠ valuable.
There is so much more to personhood than intellectual abilities. What a random criteria to use to measure the value of a human life.