r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • 9h 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 9h 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/dplans455 5h ago

We are not religious people in our family but we live in a town that has a high population of Catholics. I don't begrudge them their beliefs, believe whatever you want. But I have a problem with indoctrination of children. You want to indoctrinate your own kids, fine. But don't teach your kids that it's their responsibility to "spread the word of god" to every single one of their friends at school.