More atheist men than women?

[rexbeccarox]

Because atheism is a natural result of high education, critical thinking, scientific knowledge and other things that socially are discouraged for women by our institutions - Gender roles for women put them in a position where being religious is perfectly compatible and even recommended - The concepts of purity, virginity and obedience come to mind - For men there is greater freedom and possibility to not believe, and it makes more sense. This isn't biological, it's merely a result of social constraints, as it is possible for women to be atheist.

If it is true that religions have stricter rules for women, then wouldn't that make more women want to leave then men?

Or perhaps I misunderstood your post...

It's the Stockholm Syndrome Vic mentioned.

[Catholic_Lady]

If it is true that religions have stricter rules for women, then wouldn't that make more women want to leave then men?

Or perhaps I misunderstood your post...

It's the Stockholm Syndrome Vic mentioned.

Ok, but isn't this experienced by the minority of people in abusive situations? It seems most of them would still want to leave.

If a religion was abusing women and treating them like prisoners, while treating men like kings, it seems like more men would want to stay than women. Sure, I guess some women would develop SS, but it doesn't seem like it would be enough of them to make so many more women want to stay than men.

[SteelCurtain]

Also, the anonymity of the internet allows the women on your forum to be more vocal, whereas most men feel like they can say whatever they want IRL within a patriarchal institution.

[Metis]

Women generally tend to be more emotional, and have a stronger need for community. Generally speaking. Theism caters to both of those.

They also tend to have a far stronger sense of attachment to tradition and culture, as well as living longer than men and have a greater chance of attaining the lay elder/mystic status which in turn can have some influence upon the intellectual formation of other women.

I think a big part of it is an unwillingness to rock the boat; men are usually far more aggressive and willing to object to the status quo than women who are more inclined to work with the system instead of flipping the table entirely.

[SteelCurtain]

It's the Stockholm Syndrome Vic mentioned.

Ok, but isn't this experienced by the minority of people in abusive situations? It seems most of them would still want to leave.

If a religion was abusing women and treating them like prisoners, while treating men like kings, it seems like more men would want to stay than women. Sure, I guess some women would develop SS, but it doesn't seem like it would be enough of them to make so many more women want to stay than men.

But we are also talking about the blackmail of eternal torture that is looming over everyone's head. So the stakes are believed to be much higher than an abusive relationship, and less temporal.

[robvalue]

I think it's because there aren't generally any science books in the kitchen.

*Snigger*

I have heard before there are slightly more female theists, which is weird given religion's generally misogynistic nature.

[Catholic_Lady]

Also, the anonymity of the internet allows the women on your forum to be more vocal, whereas most men feel like they can say whatever they want IRL within a patriarchal institution.

I don't think so. Most Catholic women on there aren't on there to say bad stuff about Catholicism. Most of them are very devout.

And women can say what they want. The pope does not "punish" women for saying something, while being ok with men saying the same thing. ;-)

We don't need to hide behind the internet to say what we want about the Church.

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Women generally tend to be more emotional, and have a stronger need for community. Generally speaking. Theism caters to both of those.

They also tend to have a far stronger sense of attachment to tradition and culture, as well as living longer than men and have a greater chance of attaining the lay elder/mystic status which in turn can have some influence upon the intellectual formation of other women.

I think a big part of it is an unwillingness to rock the boat; men are usually far more aggressive and willing to object to the status quo than women who are more inclined to work with the system instead of flipping the table entirely.

This makes sense.

---

Ok, but isn't this experienced by the minority of people in abusive situations? It seems most of them would still want to leave.  

If a religion was abusing women and treating them like prisoners, while treating men like kings, it seems like more men would want to stay than women. Sure, I guess some women would develop SS, but it doesn't seem like it would be enough of them to make so many more women want to stay than men.

But we are also talking about the blackmail of eternal torture that is looming over everyone's head. So the stakes are believed to be much higher than an abusive relationship, and less temporal.

But this is the same for both men and women. And if anything, if I felt like I was being "blackmailed" it would make me more likely to not want to believe in any of it at all.

[rexbeccarox]

It's the Stockholm Syndrome Vic mentioned.

Ok, but isn't this experienced by the minority of people in abusive situations? It seems most of them would still want to leave.  

If a religion was abusing women and treating them like prisoners, while treating men like kings, it seems like more men would want to stay than women. Sure, I guess some women would develop SS, but it doesn't seem like it would be enough of them to make so many more women want to stay than men.

Well, obviously we can't find out rates of Stockholm Syndrome within religious groups... especially if the victims aren't leaving. It's the only thing I can think to attribute to women for staying in oppressive situations, much like the rate of women who stay with or go back to abusive spouses.

I also think Stockholm Syndrome is probably an imperfect way of describing it, since these aren't black-and-white hostage/ kidnapping situations, but I don't think we have a term for when it's used in religious situations, so describing it like SS gets the point across.

[Longhorn]

And women can say what they want.

'I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet'

....You wouldn't know where that quote comes from, would you?

[robvalue]

If you don't mind me asking CL, if you openly abandoned your faith, what would be the repercussioms for you from others?

Haha Vic, you read my mind