Intelligence Bias Against Theists
I’ve noticed something in myself that I’m not proud of, and I want to be honest about it instead of just pretending it’s not there.
When I interact with deeply religious people, I sometimes catch myself assuming they’re less critical or less intellectually rigorous. Like they’re operating inside a kind of mental framework I automatically see as limited or unexamined.
And I hate that I think that way.
Because I know it’s not actually that simple. Religious belief is tied to upbringing, culture, emotion, identity, community, tons of factors that aren’t just “intelligence vs ignorance.” But in the moment, I still get this knee-jerk judgment, like I’m watching someone accept answers I personally don’t find convincing.
I think part of it is frustration, like I can’t relate to faith as a way of knowing things, so I default to interpreting it as a lack of critical thinking. But I also know that’s a pretty shallow read of other people.
I guess I’m posting because I don’t want to stay stuck in that mindset. I don’t want atheism for me to turn into superiority or contempt. I’d rather understand where that reaction comes from and how to not let it turn into something unfair.
Has anyone else dealt with this kind of bias creeping in?