I believe that highly intelligent people can do incredibly stupid things -- I've seen it first hand.

The correlating factor for those two acquaintances is that they are both devout Christians. I find that to be beyond ironic but also makes sense, as that devotion parallels the appeal to authority and many churches are run by leaders who believe in Supply Side Jesus.

I don't mean this to be inflammatory as it's only an observation, but organized religion is not compatible with modern society,