Replies

A+. If I could only get my students to understand sample-selection bias as well as you do. I am afraid though that your explanation will be completely ignored, I have tried similar lines of reasoning several times here on FR with absolutely no success.

Yes, most of us here on FR probably fall far below your intelligence level, oh learned one. That explains why you dodged the statistical evidence about Catholics and divorce rates.

That explains why you dodged the statistical evidence about Catholics and divorce rates.

Yes, the divorce rate for Catholics is lower; those guys living in their Medieval fiefdom over there have been successful in that regard. But do you care to give us any statistics on cheating?

That explains why you dodged the statistical evidence about Catholics and divorce rates.

I don't believe that the unwillingness of most posters to question statistics that back their viewpoint has anything to do with intelligence. But thanks for the personal attack.

I am also not at all surprised that church-going folks have lower divorce rates and had definitely no intention of dodging it. I simply thought that this was so likely that it wasn't even worth discussing. The bible belt statistics I mentioned on the other hand point to the hypothesis that a moral conservative / Christian upbringing is not a very strong indicator of subsequent behavior, contrary to what's being claimed on this thread. Please note the difference - church going describes actual behavior, while location is at best indicative of background.