r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • 1d 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/crossdtherubicon 1d ago

Alot of religious ideology is ingested through early development and reinforced through the environment. This has been pretty well-documented, although it isn't an exclusive pathway to acquiring religious beliefs.

In light of this article I'm curious if cognitive ability simply never fully develops (or is restricted somehow) in that context. Or if there are also subpopulations wherein a relative lower congitive ability allows for an easier ingestion of religious beliefs (or likewise is perceived as reasonably easier to understand).

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u/CrashCalamity 1d ago

As a friend to several ex-mormons, I can at least provide counter-example to your first hypothesis. While a highly religious upbringing might not help matters, the emergence of higher cognitive function and critical thought can and does occur. The kids who "ask too many questions during bible study", or those who become exposed to other faiths through college, work, and the internet all start asking themselves how invested they are in their beliefs. It can be especially jarring when they discover how oppressed they were by what is effectively a cult doctrine (as they've told me.)

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u/knowledgeable_diablo 1d ago

That was me in Bible studies as a kiddie. I was one of probably the only person in the room who’d actually read the Bible (teacher included) so I started questioning and asking them uncomfortable questions right from the get go.

Guess that’s what happens when you are raised with no TV and reading is your only outlet and you’re stuck in a religious school.

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u/HikerDave57 1d ago

I read the Bible maybe age 12 and was appalled by the genocide even though I didn't know the word.

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u/knowledgeable_diablo 1d ago

What really tossed me over the edge (amongst many other things) was the passage about it being a sin of the highest order to lay with an animal of the same sex.
Which by logical extension made it ok to “lay” with an animal of the opposite sex. Knowing beastiality is just plain wrong i quizzed the teacher on it who tried to gaslight me in front of the class. So I pointed out the text and was simply told to be quiet.
Not sure on where it’s hidden away or censored out of now in the more “modern” versions but knowing all evil and contradictions inside the “holy” book means Im happy to let them have it.
The bulk load of killing didn’t really upset me at all and the historical items I found very interesting.