No, the claim that religious people have a lower IQ than atheists is not supported by scientific evidence. Intelligence Quotient (IQ) is a measure of cognitive ability, and there is no inherent connection between one's religious beliefs and their IQ. Intelligence is a complex trait influenced by various factors, including genetics, environment, education, and life experiences.
Research has shown that there is no consistent relationship between religious belief and IQ. People of various intelligence levels can be found across all religious and non-religious groups. Studies on this topic have produced mixed and inconclusive results, with some finding a weak correlation between lower IQ and higher religiosity in certain populations, while others show no significant correlation.
It's essential to recognize that intelligence is a multifaceted concept, and IQ is just one way to measure cognitive abilities. IQ tests have also been criticized for various reasons, including cultural bias, which can affect the results.
Religious beliefs are complex and influenced by cultural, social, psychological, and emotional factors. People have different reasons for holding religious or non-religious views, and it is not accurate to generalize or make assumptions about someone's intelligence based on their religious beliefs.
In summary, there is no compelling evidence to suggest that religious people, as a whole, have lower IQs than atheists or vice versa. Intelligence and religious beliefs are separate aspects of a person's identity and should not be conflated or used to make sweeping generalizations about any group of individuals.