I suppose you and I have different notions of what defines smart. Being “brainwashed” into supporting something that someone of even middling intelligence can see is overwhelmingly stupid suggests a lack of the most basic critical thinking skills, which I would not say suggests any notable degree of intelligence.
I’m not conflating anything. I know her. She’s smart. I know a lot of scientists, plenty of them are dumb as a box of frogs.
She was persuaded by a friend to go to a particular church and she was brainwashed in no time.
I suppose you and I have different notions of what defines smart. Being “brainwashed” into supporting something that someone of even middling intelligence can see is overwhelmingly stupid suggests a lack of the most basic critical thinking skills, which I would not say suggests any notable degree of intelligence.