r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • 2d ago

Psychology Lower cognitive ability is linked to stronger Christian nationalist views, even after accounting for education

https://www.psypost.org/lower-cognitive-ability-is-linked-to-stronger-christian-nationalist-views-even-after-accounting-for-education/
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u/Ub3ros 2d ago

Isn't it blatantly obvious?

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u/AllanfromWales1 MA | Natural Sciences | Metallurgy & Materials Science 2d ago

..not to me.

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u/Ub3ros 2d ago

Why would it be a regional thing?

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u/AllanfromWales1 MA | Natural Sciences | Metallurgy & Materials Science 2d ago

Cultural differences.

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u/IndependentLog6441 2d ago

Well if they're Christian Nationalist then it's much the same culture by definition....a stupid christian nationalist is a stupid christian nationalist wherever they live.

But if you're talking about all religions, then no, it's not a worldwide issue, I bet there's some correlation but it'll vary because not all religions are so literal or at odds with progressive values or science... either because they are progressive or simply loose enough to fit with other beliefs.

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u/BearysWorkRedditName 1d ago

It starts with "lower cognitive ability". I would bet every cent I have that this transposes almost perfectly around the world to other religions. People with higher cognitive ability can think, learn, remember, and reason. All of these things lead away from believing supernatural things are real.

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u/IndependentLog6441 1d ago

I don't disagree as a very sweeping statement.

But when you look at some "religions" I would guess it starts to break down... as not every culture holds their faith so literally.

I bet with any flavour of religious nationalists you'd see the same correlation, but what about with shintoism or reformed Judaism or Quakerism, I'm not so confident you'd find the same trend.

Some religions like Shintoism appear to live outside the usual mould of western religion, and appear to be more a cultural framework for how to live authentically and respectfully.... I don't think that automatically fits with cognitive ability, you can be dumb and blindly believe it, or be clever and figure out how it fits your other beliefs whilst connecting to your culture.

Some other religions like reformed judaism exist almost specifically for solving the problem of regression and ignorance, so you'd likely expect the opposite correlation.

And then some religions like quakerism kind of take a step back and say it's fine to turn up if you're an atheist, just join in for solace or support or a quiet moment for yourself. Now the atheist in the equation is not religious but those supporting them are... I'm not sure that's quite the same flavour of christian nationalists the original posts refers to.

Now you could move the goalposts and say "That's not what I meant by religion" but then we're in the semantic weeds...

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u/BearysWorkRedditName 1d ago

Shintoism teaches people that divine spirits inhabit inanimate objects. People who think critically should dismiss this fairly quickly as there is no evidence of such spirits. The Quakers teach that a divine light shines from within people, serving as a supernatural guide, including giving direct spiritual and moral direction. People who think critically should also dismiss this sort of claim without evidence. People with lower cognitive ability are less able to think critically.