• ThatWeirdGuy1001@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    34
    arrow-down
    4
    ·
    8 months ago

    If the smartest man alive told you he would kill for Santa Claus would that not terrify you?

    You could be an alien with such a complex knowledge and understanding of physics that you can manipulate matter on a molecular scale but the minute you bring up the almighty Kloothorp as your lord and savior I’m out.

    • yesman@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      6
      arrow-down
      19
      ·
      8 months ago

      You say that belief in an “obvious fairy tale shows a massive issue with critical thinking and cognitive ability” , but you can’t back that up because people who are smart and religious exist.

      I agree that believing in something phantasmagorical is a cognitive blind spot. But that’s so common criticizing others for it lacks self awareness. It’s normal to take some obviously symbolic, illusory, or non-existent things seriously: the law, borders, sovereignty, human rights, authority, hierarchy, language, logic, or math. Are you terrified of those willing to die for human rights?

      • Carighan Maconar@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        8 months ago

        We’re talking a lot of different types of smart, though.

        For example said archbishop is obviously smart. And religious. And the two are the same, he’d be an idiot not to uphold the structure that gives him power, at least to the outside. That’s what religion is, a power structure, and you’d be a fool to think those in power believe in the fairy tale instead of the structure.

      • Mr_Blott@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        3
        arrow-down
        14
        ·
        8 months ago

        people who are smart and religious exist.

        Precisely. And if they can’t accept that, and just downvote anyone that disagrees with them, they just proved the existence of ignorant, non-religious people

        The delicious irony 😂

        • harry_balzac@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          8
          arrow-down
          1
          ·
          8 months ago

          Depends on how you define smart. Knows many facts? Sure. Able to look at a puzzle and figure it out? Sure. But believing in an invisible Sky Daddy who may or may not talk directly or indirectly to people and getting your morals from books riddled with contradictions and things that are considered immoral and illegal isn’t smart.