Does this Forum attract smart people?

[Gordon]

I was thinking about what makes this forum unique and I'd like to think it's how kind and compassionate we are to each other. But then I thought it's kind of a hang out for higher than average IQ Christians. I have seen a lot of very smart posters and a lot of people love to dive deep into theology. Even the atheists that join seem smart.

I am wondering why this is? Does the topical and debate nature of forums attract smart people? Do people ever feel like they don't belong watching people debate the age of the earth with science and theology?

Not that we should all pat ourselves on the back but has anyone else noticed as a whole we are pretty smart?

 

[Aardverk]

I have to agree with you - with some fairly obvious exceptions of course ;)

I suspect that many of the regular posters would not bother if they did not get intelligent responses. Certainly some Christian sites are deadly dull.

 

[Davies]

Hi Gordon,

I haven't frequented other Christian sites. I dabbled before on one Christian site, but left it quickly. Sure, there are a lot of smart people here. The challenge with smart noodles is they come with an ingredient called pride. I find, the smarter a person is, the larger the pride can be. I'd say its a testimony of the grace and patience of God that we can come here and express every gammit of human expression, from sin to grace.

Happy Thanksgiving,

- Davies

 

[Gordon]

Thank you for the replies. I meant the topic as a reflection on the site. Is it set up in some way that serves smart people? Is it also set up in a way that discourages other people who can't engage as well in the debates? I am not sure you are right aardverk about many people who would leave if we weren't as sharp as a whole. I have seen a lot of people with wisdom (more important) and IQ desire to help people with their gifts instead of flex their brain power. I agree about pride in smart people davies. I'd like to think we aren't elitists here.

 

[Kaliani]

A high IQ still has its limits. I know academics and intellectuals who are the worst conversationalists in the world.

This forum is full of people who can express themselves properly. I feel a certain pressure to keep up and have been reading many English books to this end. And of course the dictionary. My English is rather quite good now, I dare say. So I guess I would agree - I AM smart, in languages anyway.

 

[JCitoL]

every modern believer should rather ask itself: "is there love in me"?!, because many religious people till now were principally spiritual, but without enough love towards the neighbour(-s), however what is the spirituality as opposed to the love?!, of course that the spirituality is like a savourless salt without the love towards the other humans, it is as if the surgeon has surgical instruments, but without the ability to operate the patients

Matthew 5:13 "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."

Blessings

 

[Blev]

Does it attract smart people? Well at least the 6 of us smart people

 

[King James]

Well, the strictness on what is dicussed. Also, when your are a new member not having the ability to create topics, not having the abilitiy to post in locked areas, not having the ability to post links to articles or videos to help your explain your position, would discourage many to post what they really think or to stick around in general. For instance, like mindedness does not necessarily equate to intelligence.

 

[Paul1965]

I think the great majority of people are all gifted with intelligence in different fields. Someone who may seem a little lacking in verbal communication skills,may be a genius at putting his thoughts down in writing and vice verso. A manually gifted tradesman may lack in learning ability but the learned scholar can't put a nail into a wall or find the dipstick on his car. He needs the intelligence of the tradesman to do it for him.

For the purpose of a forum, everyone's opinion is valuable and worthy of publishing. It is up to "the intelligent ones" to understand the post or if they can't, to ask for clarification in a civil way without belittling, bullying for answers,trying to force agreement with them or mocking the others "lack of learning." A very intelligent man once told me "Civility costs nothing" and that is so true.
Being uncivil or pedantic turns an otherwise intelligent person into the true buffoon in any discussion.

KJ the lack of being able to post links etc.is short term insurance policy on most forums. In that case I just wait until my full membership is granted then revisit the topic if I feel it is that important. Sometimes sitting back and watching the fur fly is more interesting than being a participant.
Blessings in Christ to you all.

 

[Blev]

Does it attract smart people? Well at least the 6 of us smart people

Of course you guys know I"m kidding ;)

I think smart people want to be at a site that's not like a free for all fight, like most I have seen. They are too impatient to wait to go by some rules or don't last long because they don't want to keep them, which shows they aren't too smart. Here people are respectful for the most part and seem to want to be friendly and edifying.

 

[Potluck]

Smart or not I think this is the kind of site that offers an outlet to talk about things. I mean, seriously, how often does one talk to so many people about any certain topic for long? When was the last time you had 10 friends around all talking about the same thing with differing viewpoints?

 

[Blev]

I think the great majority of people are all gifted with intelligence in different fields. Someone who may seem a little lacking in verbal communication skills,may be a genius at putting his thoughts down in writing and vice verso. A manually gifted tradesman may lack in learning ability but the learned scholar can't put a nail into a wall or find the dipstick on his car. He needs the intelligence of the tradesman to do it for him.

For the purpose of a forum, everyone's opinion is valuable and worthy of publishing. It is up to "the intelligent ones" to understand the post or if they can't, to ask for clarification in a civil way without belittling, bullying for answers,trying to force agreement with them or mocking the others "lack of learning." A very intelligent man once told me "Civility costs nothing" and that is so true.
Being uncivil or pedantic turns an otherwise intelligent person into the true buffoon in any discussion.

KJ the lack of being able to post links etc.is short term insurance policy on most forums. In that case I just wait until my full membership is granted then revisit the topic if I feel it is that important. Sometimes sitting back and watching the fur fly is more interesting than being a participant.
Blessings in Christ to you all.

Good post Paul. I'm glad you're here Yes we all have different gifts and that's why we all need each other. Like the Bible says what would it be like if we were all hands or all feet? ( especially if we all had 2 left feet! J/K ) We can help each other and compliment each other, were one lacks. Members of a body work together and so does the Body of Christ. And when one hurts we all hurt. Would a person hit their own foot with a hammer? That would not make sense and be very destructive.
If we disagree at times, we don't have to be disagreeable. Give grace.

 

[Blev]

Smart or not I think this is the kind of site that offers an outlet to talk about things. I mean, seriously, how often does one talk to so many people about any certain topic for long? When was the last time you had 10 friends around all talking about the same thing with differing viewpoints?

And its so neat to be able to talk to people from all around the world

 

[Paul1965]

We can help each other and compliment each other, were one lacks. Members of a body work together and so does the Body of Christ. And when one hurts we all hurt. Would a person hit their own foot with a hammer? That would not make sense and be very destructive.
If we disagree at times, we don't have to be disagreeable. Give grace.

Exactly Blev
And again
Missed with an Axe once, yes it was destructive......and painful

I mean, seriously, how often does one talk to so many people about any certain topic for long? When was the last time you had 10 friends around all talking about the same thing with differing viewpoints?

Potluck, real world very seldom if never, here every day, and 10 of my friends together with differing viewpoints is not a pretty sight :D

 

[Aardverk]

A high IQ still has its limits. I know academics and intellectuals who are the worst conversationalists in the world.

This forum is full of people who can express themselves properly............

Taking your time at the keyboard is, or certainly should be, a great leveler. It can completely take away the advantage that a good orator has over a more reticent, more pensive speaker. Often the ones who like to hear his/her own voice are the least intelligent.

I am an old man and if you met me at a party, you would probably assume that I was well on my way to senility. I would probably not hear you properly, I may struggle to find the right word to express myself (Aphasia) and my recall of events would be slow or inconsistent. I am however a mine of useful and useless information and pride myself on being multi-skilled and able to turn my hand and my mind to just about any task. The keyboard enables me to debate on even terms with others far more capable than I would be in the real world.

As someone else has pointed out above, IQ is almost irrelevant. Clear, unbiased thinking is the key. IF you have 'made up your mind' on an issue - you stop thinking. We see example of that all the time on this forum and in the real world. Reading other people's views here helps to keep an open, and therefore a healthy mind.

 

[Paul1965]

Often the ones who like to hear his/her own voice are the least intelligent.

Aardverk, spot on, how often do we see supposedly intelligent debates on TV degenerate into a verbal slanging match of monumentally childish proportions?

Reading other people's views here helps to keep an open, and therefore a healthy mind.

So very well said and true

 

[Pizzaguy]

I was thinking about what makes this forum unique and I'd like to think it's how kind and compassionate we are to each other.

I"d like to think that, too. But I don't.

But then I thought it's kind of a hang out for higher than average IQ Christians. I have seen a lot of very smart posters and a lot of people love to dive deep into theology. Even the atheists that join seem smart.

I dont' know WHY it is, but I do believe you are right. I've been a part of three Christian sites (including one Christian Nudist site) and I can tell you that the average IQ here is every bit as high as on thespaceport.us

Not sure what it is - but it is undeniable.

 

[Christ_empowered]

I don't know if we're smarter, or just more motivated to dig in and talk about some issues. We're a self-selected group. First off, we all have internet access. That cuts out a lot of Christians right there. Secondly, we have to be motivated enough to come here and give and (hopefully) receive insights from others. Also, this is a mostly Protestant site, so all those Catholics--smart and not so smart--aren't represented. I have no idea what, if anything, that would do to the smart-ness of our group.

Keep in mind also that some people get weeded out. I've seen less mature, trouble making Christians and some self-important (but often intelligent) atheists leave after a quarrel or simply because whatever needs brought them to the forum weren't being adequately met. I imagine that if you'd break it down, there are certain members who post frequently in certain areas, so you can't really judge the entire group by the input of some regulars.

That said, I'd love to think we attract smart ones. I agree with another poster who wrote that "intelligence" comes in many, many forms. We're probably not hearing from those Christians who can build houses or pain masterpieces, but aren't big on online debate.

Oh, yeah, and finally...on a personal note...this is great place to grow. I look my old posts, and I cringe. Seriously. I don't know if this indicates an increase in intelligence (although my IQ has recently shot up a bit...weird, huh?), maturity, or both. I've observed growth in other regular posters, too.

 

[jasoncran]

christian nudist? ok that shouldnt suprise me. after all theres a gay pentacostalism movement. sheesh

 

[elijah23]

I was thinking about what makes this forum unique and I'd like to think it's how kind and compassionate we are to each other. But then I thought it's kind of a hang out for higher than average IQ Christians. I have seen a lot of very smart posters and a lot of people love to dive deep into theology. Even the atheists that join seem smart.

I am wondering why this is? Does the topical and debate nature of forums attract smart people? Do people ever feel like they don't belong watching people debate the age of the earth with science and theology?

Not that we should all pat ourselves on the back but has anyone else noticed as a whole we are pretty smart?

No, I don't think this forum attracts smart people. It attracts people like me.