by A. Jacobina Poulsen

Created on: March 26, 2009

There's a theory that intellectualism precludes a belief in God, mainly held by those who consider themselves to be intellectuals. Belief in God is often seen as being anti-science, a throw back to more primitive times in our evolution and that belief in a spiritual being is not compatible with being an intelligent and educated person. The evidence, however, would indicate that this is not the case.

A study conducted in 2006 found that 23 percent of all college freshman polled believed in ghosts. This percentage actually increased with more education, so that by the time they hit graduate school, 34 percent now believed in paranormal phenomena, including ghosts, communicating with the dead, UFOs, haunted houses and ESP. In fact, about 18 percent believe that Bigfoot is real (interestingly, belief in the yeti, the Himalayan version of Bigfoot was more likely to be considered to be a primitive superstition of the villagers).

The point I am making is that belief in God really ought not to stretch the intellect any further than a belief in any other supernatural being, so why would so many people say it is their intellect getting in the way?

The reason is simple. It's much easier to say "I am too smart to believe in God" than it is to voluntarily submit your will to anyone who sets before you rules for conduct and admonishments for immoral behavior. Another way of putting this would be that no one wants to be told what to do, and unfortunately, this is what many people think Christianity is all about.

It's surprising really, since human beings like to think of themselves as moral creatures. We even give out awards for humanitarianism and embrace ideals such as peace and tolerance of others. The problem occurs when people feel they are not allowed to choose which moral laws they want to obey while discarding those which cramp their individual style.

To some extent, Christian morality is already widely adhered to insofar as it is partially codified into the laws of our society. We have laws against theft and murder, for example. The difference between man's law and God's law is that man can and does change laws and standards to suit his current perception of right and wrong. God's law and moral code, on the other hand, is immutable.

This is an uncomfortable position for most people. Accepting an authority higher than our own and knowing that the rules are not fluid or situational puts a responsibility on us. Socrates held that knowledge is virtue and ignorance is vice. His theory was that a man only commits vice when he wrongly believes he will benefit from it. Once we know right from wrong, we have a responsibility to choose right and that may interfere with our desires.

If 48% of all people in America can believe ghosts, haunted houses and mind-reading, then I can't accept that it is intellect that stands between them and accepting Christianity. The major stumbling block is that they fear to be held to a moral standard they do not wish to meet.

REFERENCES
http://www.christianpost.com/Society/ Polls_reports/2007/10/how-many-americans-believe-in- ghosts-spells-and-superstition-27/index.html

http://w ww.livescience.com/culture/080818-monsters-ghosts-go ds.html

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