Welcome to Gaia! ::

They can. Religion and intellect are not mutually exclusive. It's how one adheres to one's religion that determines whether one is a 'total idiot'. And this applies to all religions, not just christianity.
Part of the reason for this is that some people are incapable of combining faith with an inquisitive mind, the strongest indicator of intelligence. The best example of this is the catholic church deeming everyone who practiced the natural sciences a heretic. The church was afraid that science would undermine their claim of being the only path to god, enlightenment and wisdom. Or even worse, what if science would suggest that god does not exist.
Today still, many christians fly in the face of evidence by denying irrevocable physical evidence (eg. denying the existence of dinosaurs) simply because it doesn't occur in the bible.

The best advocate for intellect and religion to be compatible is Gallileo Gallilei. A devout catholic who, despite many protests from the church, pursued the quest of science, and can, without a doubt, be named among the greatest scientists this world has seen to date.

i am a religious person, and Im an intellectual as well. I am part of the Nation of Gods and Earth, and we have many philosophies, and teachings that we study, so yeah you can say it is a such thing as a religious intellectual. (that wasnt well said, but if you want to know more about us, click on this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5_percenter )

Absolutely. I've also been a Catholic all my life, but a few years ago I was thinking of giving it up to be agnostic (Because that's what all the cool kids were doing. rolleyes ). But then my Dad stepped in.

He's also been raised Catholic, but he really has a great understanding of the faith and why he believes what he does. At first I didn't like it, traditional rebellion against your parents, but the more we talked, the more I understood as well. I expected it to be the bible-thumping "You're going to go to Hell if you do this!" sort of thing, but he rationally laid out his positions and backed them up logically. I was impressed, and now whenever I have questions or just want to talk, I go to my Dad.

Through the whole experience, I learned a lot about myself, my faith, and have a new respect for my parents. We weren't really that close before, but now I really have someone I can talk with. 3nodding

P.S. Altae?

LOVE THE SIGGY!

The difference is a fundamental leap of faith for either side. If you are religious, then you believe that there is a purpose to all of this. If not, then you are fine with the idea that there is none.

As such, there is currently no experimental procedure that can prove whether something has purpose or not, and whether something has been designed intelligently or through nature.

Agreed! I've had a theory for awhile. Why isn't evolution just God's version of creation. Cells, chemicals and time are just as much under his control as anything else. Why can't they all just mesh together?

Here's another question for ya - why, when people say they're religious, does everyone assume they believe in the Christian's God?

Honestly, I consider myself to be religious, and intelligent, but I'm Wiccan. But, if someone asked me if I was religious, most would assume I'm Christian or Catholic or I follow some form of the monotheistic religions, mainly believing in 'God' (as apposed to things like Buddha, etc., ya know)

And I hate it when people explain things saying "God meant it to be this way" Or simply using their 'God' as support to something, assuming everyone else also believes in that same god.

heart Blessed Be heart