Most people follow the establishment, including scientists. Science is not immune to nonsense - witness the stuff about dark matter, it's what holds various theories together but is totally unproven. A little too convenient.
I don't think it is anything to do with IQ, it's more to do with the fact it is highly acceptable to be atheist/agnostic in our society. While buying into consumerist nonsense.
If they were in the Soviet Union, all the scientists would be (openly) atheist, and support Stalinism. In a Muslim society, they would be openly Muslim.
__________________
(Two can play at George Orwell quotes)
"In this country I don’t think it is enough realized—I myself had no idea of it until a few years ago—that Scotland has a case against England."