The never ending debate between scientists and believers in God continues. New controversial research conducted by the renowned physicists Stephen Hawking and Neil DeGrasse Tyson for the Ulster Institute for Social Research in Northern Ireland and Rotterdam University in Holland has revealed an adverse relationship between the belief in the Existence Of God and high intelligence.
This has led the two well-known scientists to declare that “God does not exist.”
The research
The very controversial research that was published in the journal of “Evolutionary Psychological Science,” examined various models in order to explain the reasons that make people who believe in God allegedly not as intelligent as those who do not.
The main objective of the research was to study and revise the work of the prominent American-British evolutionary psychologist Satoshi Kanazawa titled “Savanna-IQ Principle.” In brief, Kanazawa’s research had reached the conclusion that people’s actions and beliefs are based on the environment that their ancestors lived in.
Based on Kanazawa’s research as well as their own findings, the two researchers have reached the conclusion that religion is an “evolved instinct” whereas intelligence “involves rising above our instincts." This is because intelligence is closely linked with the control of our instincts in order to be able to make logical decisions.
The results of their research are in agreement with a Pew Survey that was conducted about a year ago which concluded that people without religion seek to find their answers in science.
Stephen Hawking’s theory about God
Hawking’s views about the existence of God are well-known since he has presented his theory in a scientific documentary. In brief, Hawking believes that God was necessary for our ancestors in order to explain natural phenomena that they could not understand.
However, today science can explain these phenomena in a rational way making God “unnecessary.” In the documentary, he gives a graphic example of the Vikings who tried to explain a solar eclipse. They believed that an evil God was trying to eat the sun so they wore their battle uniforms and weapons and made a lot of noise to scare that evil God away. Scientists were able to explain why an eclipse occurs and we no longer see people running around in full armor screaming to scare off the evil God.
In an interview given to the popular Spanish newspaper “El Mundo” about one year ago, Hawking said, "Before we understand science, it is natural to believe that God created the universe. But now science offers a more convincing explanation.”
In another BBC documentary called “Stephen Hawking: Expedition New Earth,” which will be part of the BBC documentary series “Tomorrow’s World” and is expected to air in the summer, the renowned physicist will present a warning that if humans do not colonize a new planet in 100 years, we may face extinction as a species because of serious threats to our planet.
In fact, two planets have recently been discovered that may be suitable candidates. One is Proxima b which is very close to Earth and the other is “Warm Neptune” which is more distant. This simply shows how relevant are Hawking’s theories.
A tolerant civilized society
The views expressed by the two researchers are indeed very controversial. However, today we live in a democratic tolerant and civilized society that can only function properly if we respect each other. This means that both Atheists and Theists must respect each other’s beliefs. The debate must also not become an argument between science and religion. In fact, there are many scientists who believe in God and have conducted their own studies with different results to this study. These opposing studies should be welcomed by both Theists and Atheists as the scientific debate can only increase the level of our knowledge.