Restating My "Religion Does Good" Post More Explicitly

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But it can't be the only factor when the choice is between religion and no religion (and the person has a 130 IQ.) Their upringing wouldn't sway them to believe in astrology or alien abductions would it?

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Intelligence is not a universally rational influence. Wittgenstein, Newton, Pascal, all with estimated IQ's 190+, had long periods of intensified religious conviction as adults at the height of their intellectual power.

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I have heard anecdotes of Astronauts, who upon their return to Earth have become profoundly religious. Although I cannot confirm or deny this, it is an interesting phenomenon.

Does anyone have any facts regarding this?

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I'm sure there are lots of factors that correlate with religion, almost independent of IQ.

Of course the classics would be extreme physical suffering, permanent social dysfunction, and near-death experiences. (Ship all three in Pascal's case.) But also stuff like psychological anguish from repressed homosexuality (Wittgenstein) helps. Or just general awareness of how utterly sordid human nature really is (Kierkegaard, Dostoevsky.)

Nietzsche is another great example, although he was obviously an atheist, his ideals for humankind are viscerally spiritual and demand transcendence. His life? About as alienated and physically miserable as you can imagine.