Perhaps the fact that they have intelligence is no measure of whether they have any common sense?

Maybe it is as obvious to you as it once was to me that if they would just take time to think about it they would realise the truth, ie. that the only God is the one that you feel you need or want to create for yourself.

How often I've heard it said that nature and the physical universe is God or that God is something individual to you. God can be what or who you want.

I'd like to briefly tell you about two encounters I've had with intelligent people who believe that there is no God.

The first is about a teacher of philosophy.
The second is about people in the high IQ society - Mensa.

Encounters of a biased kind - Part One

Going back some considerable time ... I was routinely taking courses in further education. This was just a fun thing for me. Year after year I studied subjects that I hadn't looked at before. Some resulted in O-level or A-level certificates but there was no ultimate goal.

I started a course in Philosophy (A-level). I already had a smattering of knowledge and I fancied going deeper. The tutor was an intelligent woman who had previously gained my respect in her teaching of other subjects.

If you have any knowledge of this subject you will appreciate that in most philosophical matters there are at least two (generally opposing) views.  Belief in God is such a matter. There are arguments for the existence of God and there are arguments against the existence of God.  Philosophically - all arguments should be explored.

My position at that time was that I had no belief in the existence of God.
When we came to study this area of philosophy the tutor went to great lengths to describe herself as a 'raging atheist' but as a student I was appalled to find that she could not objectively consider the arguments (no matter how preposterous) in favour of God.

I was not taking a pro-God stance but I wanted to examine both sides of the argument in correct philosophical debate.  I found myself continuously curious as to the motivation of this woman.  Why was she so afraid to even discuss the options?

It quickly became obvious that her bias prevented her from teaching the subject correctly and that having observed such a blatant bias in one area it was unlikely she could give fair discussion in other areas where she had her own fixed opinions.  I decided this course was like trying to study geography with a flat-earther.
I stopped attending and never took any further study at that particular college.

The experience stayed with me.

Encounters of a biased kind - Part Two

The second encounter - with people of proven intelligence.

Mensa is an organisation for intelligent people. The purpose of Mensa is ...
"to identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity ..."

In reading the monthly magazine I was always interested in following some of the ongoing discussions and outright arguments on the 'Letters' pages.

I can understand disagreement amongst intelligent people when it comes to matters of politics, law, and morals. I can understand disagreement on issues such as crime, abortion, euthanasia and animal rights.

What I could not understand was how some Mensans would argue in favour of the existence of God and it was apparent that many were Christians.

How did such 'stupid' people get rated as being amongst the top 2% of the population in recognised IQ tests?  I thought this was an obvious example of 'blind belief' due to upbringing and influences from parents or peers.
If only they would give the matter some thought (as I had) they would surely realise the folly of such silly ideas.

Have they not been taught or do they not understand evolution?
Have they not been taking notice of all the pain, suffering, famines and horrors in this world?  Why were these 'believers' not as intelligent as me?

Some years later - - I understand.

The greatest failing of intelligent people are that they think they can think their own answer to the question of the existence of God.  Having done so it is they who have the 'blind belief' that they are correct.

In their insular thought processes they find that what they know (believe) to be scientific facts and the problems they observe in the world are sufficient evidence for their conclusion.

There certainly is enough evidence to make an informed decision but it is essential that you look for it, ask questions and listen with an open mind.
The truth cannot be found just by your own thoughts.

Understanding that there really is a God is the first part of the answer to life, the universe and everything. The consequence of finding the right answer is the difference between heaven and hell.
Yes - they are real.  We are all on our way to one or the other.