Are people who attend church more likely to be simple-minded or ignorant?

[Anonymous]

I've noticed many people in churches are very ignorant and closed minded.

[BCRanger10]

No.

For one thing, what exactly are we ignorant of, how, and what makes you ao certain of such? And for another, what is the standard for being "open-minded", who decides, and most importantly, why?

It's my observation that those who preach against ignorance and who say stuff like "be open-minded" are often the first ones to forget, if not outright dismiss that there are in fact people out there who think differently. If the behavior I see of some of the atheists here is anything to go by, the labels you suggest here can be just as easily applied to them as well. I've seen an interacted with plenty of them who are just as allergic to legitimate, good faith questions as some of the fundamentalist stereotypes that they themselves see most Christians as, and who are just as self-righteous. Some of the most hateful, hostile, smug, and condescending people I've seen here have been atheists.

But likewise, I've seen and spoken with some decent and intelligent ones as well. Someone on this very question already said as much about Christians.

At any rate, I wrote an entire MyTake about this back in 2018 after someone posted a question exactly like this one. There are some intellectual dangers in looking at the world this way and everyone would do well to think about the implications of such. Including atheists. The MyTake is linked below.

The Tolerance Myth: On The Three Victims of the Open-Mind Ideology

[strateguy632]

nah. you have not been to church. people around me are sophisticated. but liberals - you described well. doing fascist censor to opinions and proofs- they can't bear to see! while pretending to be anti fascist! here on gag is where the closed minded users are.

[MissSunshine2]

Not at all. The church people are just people, like everyone else. They vary in character and intelligence, just like everyone else.

[browsingthroughthe]

I'll give you the quick and simple: depends on the church, depends on the denomination

There. I said it. 😊😋

[AngryCarl3]

Simple-minded? Not really. Closed minded? They believe what they believe and they're not open to alternatives.

[Anonymous]

If they leave education/indoctrination and still choose to remain involved in indoctrinated they can't be considered truly intelligent

[strateguy632]

if listening to a lecture is indoctrinated then all college students did that. are indoctrinated.

[Opinion Owner]

Correct, you're getting it

[ThisSiteSux]

Do you attend church? That's probably why YOU are what you project them to be.

[Abbycado]

That’s ignorant to think like that.

[jahaims]

Cults don't attract intelligent people

[Asker]

Technically that's wrong man , some people have been in cults for years who have above average IQ

[In_Trance]

Ignorant of what?