Why are there less female atheists?

[Homeless Nutter]

Does religion give women more Stockholm syndrome than men?

Is there such a thing as "Stockholm Syndrome"? It certainly isn't a universally accepted psychologic/psychiatric diagnosis and there doesn't seem to be any scientific basis for it.

It seems to me, that it's just a trendy pop-psychology idea; something we like to believe, because it makes it easier to face the fact, that many people (especially females) are forced to live their lives with people they fear. It would be kind of convenient if child-brides sold like livestock/sex-toys to old, abusive men, or kidnapped by enemy tribes developed some kind of condition, that made them sympathize with and maybe even bond with their abusers. Maybe the millions of victims of nazi concentration camps actually liked their oppressors? Maybe slaves were infatuated with their masters? Because otherwise - why didn't they all just kill themselves? Surely - their psychology must have done something to make their ordeals somewhat bearable? Isn't that a comforting thought?

I doubt that's the case though. Survival instinct can make people adapt to even the most abhorrent and inhumane circumstances. That doesn't mean victims of those circumstances don't have a miserable time. They just don't have a choice.

Sure, in some cases it's possible for a non-violent kidnapper to be kind to their victim - enough for them to develop some sort of understanding and sympathy. As it seems to have been the case of that incident in the 70's from which Stockholm Syndrome takes its name. But I believe that to be a minority.

And no - I don't think women are more likely to be religious, because of some kind of mental condition, that makes them feel OK about being abused. It's just that - as some people already pointed out - women in traditional societies don't have much choice in the matter and even in the largely liberal West until fairly recently religion was one of the few aspects of society women could - and were in fact pressured to - partake, even if not exactly as equal to men.