Hat tip to Evangelical Outpost…
"It's very simple," says Vox Day, in his typical controversial style, "Agnosticism is a belief in the lack of evidence for God's existence. Atheism is a symptom of a personality disorder which inordinately affects developmentally challenged young men. Watch and learn. Science will confirm this in the relatively near future."
Buried within the goading hyperbole is an interesting question: Is there a correlation between atheism and autism?
In earlier post Vox raised that as a possible hypothesis:
It's not just a figment of my imagination, it seems atheists truly are socially autistic by their own report. Asperger's Syndrome is a disorder described as "autistic psychopathy" by its discoverer, Dr. Hans Asperger. Those with the disorder tend to be intelligent, socially awkward and difficult to converse with. They are also likely to be male.
Based on Wired Magazine's observation that atheists tend to be quarrelsome, socially challenged men, to say nothing of the unpleasant personalities of leading public atheists such as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens and Michel Onfray, one could reasonably hypothesize that there is likely to be a strong correlation between Asperger's and atheism.
Asperger's Syndrome (AS) is a neurobiological disorder on the autism spectrum (some even claim it is merely High Functioning Autism). AS differs from typical cases of autism in that non-social aspects of intellectual development generally proceed at a normal or accelerated rate. Persons with AS show marked deficiencies in social skills and have a difficulty reading nonverbal cues (i.e., body language). Some positive characteristics, however, include things such as "enhanced mental focus, excellent memory abilities, superior spatial skills, and an intuitive understanding of logical systems. These characteristics can often lead to fulfilling careers in mathematics, engineering, the sciences, music, art, or language."
Are atheists more likely to have AS? To test this hypothesis, Vox compared the scores of 232 blog readers (both on his site and on PZ Myer's blog Pharyngula) who took the Asperger Quotient Test.
A score of 32 or more is generally taken to indicate Asperger's Syndrome or high-functioning autism (34 is considered a high score). The average man scores 18 and the average woman a 15. The average results of Vox's analysis, broken down by religion belief, were:
27.2 Atheist
20.0 Agnostic
19.0 Theist
By comparison I scored a 15 (average woman and average male/female biologist) and atheist PZ Myers (an actual biologist) scored a 24 (average math contest winner).
Vox is right that the "sampling is too subjective and self-selected to be meaningful." It does, however, hint that there may be a pattern. While there is only a slight variation between theist and agnostics, there is a wide divergence between those groups and atheists, who tend to fall higher up on the autism spectrum. Is there a correlation between atheism and autistic tendencies?*
I don’t have enough evidence to argue on way or the other. But for the sake of argument let's assume that it is a plausible hypothesis. What could be the connection?
For atheists, the explanation could be a simply matter of evolution. If theistic beliefs can be explained by appeals to "evolutionary advantage" then atheism should also be explained the process. Perhaps atheism is just a mental maladaption on the autism spectrum.
However, the majority of theists (and more than a few atheists) would probably want a more robust explanation. My own theory is that the correlation has to do with "mind detection." There is a theory that individuals with autism or Asperger’s syndrome are unable to theorize about other minds. Some researchers claim that the majority of individuals with autism are "mind-blind", that they (especially as children) are unable to "attribute mental states, such as dreaming, hoping, thinking, believing and wanting in others or in oneself."
So how would that relate to atheism? In his book "God and Other Minds", philosopher Alvin Plantinga presents an argument that one reviewer summarized as follows:
The novel feature of this book, however, is Plantinga's claim that although the arguments for God's existence fail, the grounds offered for our belief in other minds are also inadequate. Their inability to establish belief in other minds is similar to the inadequacy of the teleological argument for God's existence. Yet despite the weakness of the grounds one can offer, we believe in other minds and we hold that such a belief is rational. From this Plantinga makes the bold suggestion that ". . . if my belief in other minds is rational, so is my belief in God" (p. 271).
If the belief in other minds is analogous to belief in God, then individuals who have a propensity to "mind-blindness" would likely be "God-blind" as well. With effort, high functioning autistics may be able to overcome their inability to attribute mental states to other physical beings. But while they may be able to learn to accept the rationality of other minds, they may find it more difficult to develop a belief in a Being who is both non-physical.
If this is true and there is a correlation between autism and atheism, what would be the implications? Would it change the apologetic approach that Christians take in dealing with such unbelievers? Should it affect how we respond, knowing that the anti-social behavior is connected with their atheism?
Of course, this entire hypothesis may be nothing more than silly speculation. But if its not, if there is a kernel of truth, then it might mean we Christians need to rethink how we approach our atheist neighbors. Are we willing to be that open about other people's minds?
For the commenters: If you have the time, please take the Asperger Quotient Test and report your scores in the comment box, along with whether you are a theist, atheist, or agnostic.
*To prevent any misunderstandings, let me be clear what I am not saying:
1. No, I'm not saying that all atheists are autistic. (The evidence seems to show that is not true.)
2. No, I'm not saying that autistic people tend to be atheists. (I have no idea whether they are or not.)
3. No, I don’t think that autism causes atheism or vice versa. (I think there is a correlation, not a causal relationship between the two.)
4. No, I'm not trying to offer an argument. I'm merely raising what I think is an intriguing question.
5. Yes, the title of this post is intentionally provocative and ultimately answered by an empathic "no."
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41 responses so far ↓
1 WMD // Aug 14, 2007 at 7:25 pm
dear Tony:
i’d could make a plausable arguement that Christianity is a religion for “crazy” people
1) God gets a virgin pregnant – duh
2) then God divides himself into three parts (father, son and holy ghost) – duh
3) then God becomes his own son – duh
4) God dies and then comes back to life – duh
5) God’s best friend on earth are 12 other men – duh. gay – maybe
6) his follwers are told to drink his blood and eat his body – double duh
7) wine and bread turn into blood and body – duh
the list goes on and on
2 WMD // Aug 14, 2007 at 7:27 pm
the beauty of Christianity (and the Bible) is that it can be used to validate any thought
in the 1800’s it was used to both validate and denounce slavery
both sides used the Bible to support their positions
3 Robert // Aug 14, 2007 at 7:49 pm
Let us not forget that a virgin gets pregnant after a visit from an angel… and has has his son. I mean, really.
Talking bushes, raining frogs…
4 Tony Penny // Aug 14, 2007 at 9:24 pm
Pretty cool isn’t it?
5 richardgwhite // Aug 14, 2007 at 9:36 pm
For those who consider Dawkins and Hitchens simply “unpleasant personalities,” I’d invite you to read them with an open mind. I think it’s quite possible that you’ll realize that “believers” are (and there’s just no pleasant way to say this) at the very least deluded and certainly superstitious.
6 Tony Penny // Aug 14, 2007 at 9:40 pm
Thanks.
7 richardgwhite // Aug 14, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Thanks?
8 Bob // Aug 14, 2007 at 10:11 pm
While I’m not sure I’m crazy about “OUT” being appropriated by atheists (like me), I like this site. Check it out …
http://www.outcampaign.org/
“It is time to let our voices be heard regarding the intrusion of religion in our schools and politics. Atheists along with millions of others are tired of being bullied by those who would force their own religious agenda down the throats of our children and our respective governments. We need to KEEP OUT the supernatural from our moral principles and public policies.”
9 richardgwhite // Aug 14, 2007 at 10:16 pm
The sad thing is that by speaking out in support of logic and reason and skepticism, we are viewed as some sort of “unpleasant” crackpots who are spoiling the party so to speak.
10 richardgwhite // Aug 14, 2007 at 10:17 pm
I actually wonder who is in more danger when “coming out.”
Atheists or Gays?
11 Tony Penny // Aug 14, 2007 at 10:19 pm
Maybe you can get yourself some “protected status” so that if, God forbid (and I mean that), some deluded superstitious Jesus freak hits you you can call it a hate crime.
12 Tony Penny // Aug 14, 2007 at 10:20 pm
The sad thing is that logical, reasonable people still can’t seem to escape name calling as a form of intellectual discourse.
13 richardgwhite // Aug 14, 2007 at 10:21 pm
Who called names???? I stated my opinion on a group’s beliefs – I NEVER called anyone names.
14 Tony Penny // Aug 14, 2007 at 10:22 pm
No, you labeled a group as deluded and superstitious.
15 richardgwhite // Aug 14, 2007 at 10:25 pm
Also – The words agnostic and atheist get thrown around a lot and are also used interchangeably.
What are people’s thoughts here on the differences between the two?
I’m not really sure if I should label myself (though i surely hate labels to begin with) an atheist or an agnostic. I only know that I do not believe that there is a “God.” PLEASE NOTE: The absence of belief does not mean I BELIEVE there is no “God.” But I DO NOT believe that there is a “God” because I have yet to see the evidence. The two are very (but apparently subtly) different.
16 richardgwhite // Aug 14, 2007 at 10:27 pm
You say “labelled.” I just stated my opinion that I find belief in god to be delusional and superstitious. You can choose to be offended by this but I’m not trying to call names.
17 Bob // Aug 14, 2007 at 10:27 pm
Well, deluded may be a bit strong. I wouldn’t call members of other religious groups or cults deluded because they believe fantastical shit. But superstitious certainly is appropriate. But then I’m superstitious.
18 Tony Penny // Aug 14, 2007 at 10:28 pm
“believers” are (and there’s just no pleasant way to say this) at the very least deluded and certainly superstitious.”
You didn’t say their beliefs are deluded, you said THEY are deluded.
19 richardgwhite // Aug 14, 2007 at 10:29 pm
I don’t seek protected status but you certainly can’t say that you aren’t aware of the many historical atrocities committed in the name of Christianity.
Even your own hostility is apparent here and now.
20 richardgwhite // Aug 14, 2007 at 10:30 pm
So I think that you and other believers are deluded.
I didn’t call you stupid.
What other honest and diplomatic way can i express my opinion about your beliefs?
Or would you have us just shut the fuck up?
21 Tony Penny // Aug 14, 2007 at 10:30 pm
Yeah, I’m funny that way; I take offense to being called deluded. And of course, that’s tantamount to a Crusdade.
22 richardgwhite // Aug 14, 2007 at 10:33 pm
Bob, Tony – I think deluded is quite appropriate and I’m not trying to be offensive.
Deluded – 1: to mislead the mind or judgment of : deceive, trick.
I believe that you and others have been mislead, yes.
23 Tony Penny // Aug 14, 2007 at 10:33 pm
So I’m deluded, but just not stupid. That’s better.
A simple and respectful “I don’t buy it” would suffice. You just CAN’T seem to stay away from a personal attack.
24 richardgwhite // Aug 14, 2007 at 10:33 pm
Anyway…agnostic and atheistic.
Any thoughts anyone?
25 richardgwhite // Aug 14, 2007 at 10:34 pm
The sad thing is that you and others feel so “attacked.”
26 Tony Penny // Aug 14, 2007 at 10:36 pm
“..I’m not trying to be offensive.”
Whether you’re trying or not, you ARE being offensive to at least one person here.
27 Bob // Aug 14, 2007 at 10:42 pm
The Yankees suck!!
28 richardgwhite // Aug 14, 2007 at 10:53 pm
Bob – Now I’M offended!!
29 richardgwhite // Aug 14, 2007 at 10:54 pm
Tony – You have my apology if what I have said offends you.
It was not my intention to offend.
30 Tony Penny // Aug 14, 2007 at 10:58 pm
Accepted.
31 Jennifer // Aug 15, 2007 at 6:00 am
When will you guys ever learn…after all the discussions on this thread regarding religion.
We don’t AGREE!!! And I don’t think we ever will.
Richard – I must say, I was a little insulted by the word deluded. It came across like a WMD statement. In other words, you were stating “I know there is no God and ya’ll think there is so your delusional.” That couldn’t be further from the truth. You can’t PROVE that there isn’t a GOD. You just don’t WANT to believe in a higher power. So who is delusional?
32 Tony Penny // Aug 15, 2007 at 6:58 am
What’s funny to me is that the atheists on this blog, who don’t believe in the first place, are the ones who post these threads and/or inject their feelings into threads that have nothing to do with religion.
33 richardgwhite // Aug 15, 2007 at 7:14 am
Tony – Funny, I thought this post was titled “Are Atheists Autistic?” which to me CLEARLY references religion.
Jennifer – I will also apologize to you (and anyone else) if what I said offended you (or anyone else.
I do have to say that you are OFF BASE when you claim that I think that there is NO GOD. I NEVER made such a claim and never would. Perhaps if my words and thoughts were read logically and not emotionally, I’d be better understood.
Again, I DID NOT mean for the worded deluded to be offensive – it was just the most appropriate word. I’ve asked Tony what he would have said and I ask you: What word would you use if you were me?
Of course I CANNOT PROVE there isn’t a “god” and I shouldn’t have to. I CANNOT prove that Zeus and Apollo didn’t exist either but we all generally accept that they are myth don’t we?
I’m going to stay away from this subject as I DO NOT enjoy or appreciate being misquoted or mischaracterized: “I know there is no God and ya’ll think there is so your delusional” and “You just don’t WANT to believe in a higher power.”
I’ll also refrain from answering your last question as you already know the answer and I don’t wish to quarrel with an overwhelming majority who will not look past their own superstitions and mythologies.
34 Jennifer // Aug 15, 2007 at 7:23 am
Richard – Just one more reason why we should probably stay away from religion on this site. I believe a lot of what we type is misinterpreted for lack of actually seeing the person, body languages, and inferences that are made. I don’t believe I misquoted you, I didn’t quote you at all. The words I have in quotes (maybe I shouldn’t have used quotes)
“I know there is no God and ya’ll think there is so your delusional.”
were used to show you the way I received your comments. I do not believe you meant for your comments to be receied that way, but that’s the way it sounded to me.
As for you saying there is NO GOD, again I didn’t quote you on that, it was in my inference. In other words, I never said you said that.
Oh this is starting to not make sense. I hope you can decipher what I am trying to say.
As for my last question, it was rhetorical.
35 Tony Penny // Aug 15, 2007 at 7:24 am
How many of my previous posts are about religion? Very, very, VERY few if any. And that’s out of RESPECT for people who don’t believe and disagree.
36 Tony Penny // Aug 15, 2007 at 7:31 am
“I do have to say that you are OFF BASE when you claim that I think that there is NO GOD. I NEVER made such a claim and never would.”
You’ve described yourself to whoever will listen as an “ardent atheist”. By your own definition an atheist is one who believe God doesn’t exist. How is it off base to suggest you think there is no God?
37 richardgwhite // Aug 15, 2007 at 7:33 am
Jennifer – you said in regards to me “In other words, you were stating ‘I know there is no God…’”
I took that to mean that you were saying that I say definitively that there is no god.
I cannot and would not ever say this. One cannot prove something DOESN’T exist.
So if I misunderstood you, I apologize.
To all Christians, Muslims, Jews and believers of all stripes, when I used the word “deluded,” it was not meant to be offensive or a jab of any sort.
I do believe however that all of you believe and stake your lives on stories that are false and I believe that the world would be better off as a whole without these beliefs because in my opinion, they are not the truth.
I hope that the above was clear and not offensive to anyone. If so, please let me know how so that I can again apologize.
38 richardgwhite // Aug 15, 2007 at 7:34 am
Tony – this is why I started the Atheist/Agnostic thread – can we continue this there in a less combative manner?
39 Tony Penny // Aug 15, 2007 at 7:34 am
Boy you just keep digging…
40 Tony Penny // Aug 15, 2007 at 7:34 am
I’m done. It’s pointless.
41 richardgwhite // Aug 15, 2007 at 7:37 am
I don’t think it is but Ok.
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