Are Women More Religious than Men?

Seeing as how this was a class topic for me earlier this week….it was suggested the reasoning behind why women are more religious was because they are able to identify more easily with a "lowly, meek and mild" Jesus. Simply stated, the Jesus we portray isn't masculine enough for men to identify with. And also, I'm coming from the Black Church perspective, so I'll admit my POV may be jaded to some extent. I've only worked in a predominantly white church for a summer, and I wasn't there long enough to get an impression either way. But still, with football season starting up and basketball not far, I mean, many men still would prefer to be in the living room on the couch and not in church–and that's totally across racial lines.

Could it also be said that the poor are more religious than the wealthy?

Could it then be about spirituality offering a place of belonging?

Spirituality tends to force us to come to terms with our brokenness, our need for community, and our need for God.

This is much more difficult for the powerful and wealthy. Addressing those needs is often seen as a weakness instead of a strength.

And men fall into the "powerful and wealthy" category much more often than women.

So, it's probably not a trait inherent of gender itself, but a result of gender stratification and how it effects one's thinking.

I’m wondering about this myself with a male friend. He says he wants to hear from God but he says he doesn’t pray much and he doesn’t read his bible.

Someone commented its a sense of belonging. I also think its a matter of pride. We will break down (or allow to be broken down) the spirit of pride faster than males. Why? Men don’t think its pride but its the pride stopping them from seeing its pride.

So, are women more “religious”? I think we acknowledge quicker that we are merely dust and we need a Savior.

Here's the thing though man….studies show that women are more religious than men in all religions and in nearly every country.

So it's not just about the emasculation of Jesus in America. Your thoughts?

Are you saying that men are more religious than women?

Ok so we can look at this in 2 ways. One is simply by numbers, there are more women in the world than there are men so in any study by percentage it would look like there are more women who are more religious than there are religious men. My second thought is from womens position in most societies no one really thinks in terms of the oppressed vs the oppressor but historical women have occupied the position of the oppressed and even more often the position of the double oppressed because of their race and their sex or their social class and their sex. From that position when the world has left you brokenthat is when most find religion or where religion finds them. When the world doesn't make sense, religion speaks to the deepest part of the self that requires more than thought but thought, emotion and action.

Shaun,
As Luce said, women are more likely to acknowledge their need for a Savior (without worrying about what others think.) I don't particularly like the word "religious", but I do understand the question. In h the next few comments, I am speaking of men in a general sense. Society has taught men that to be spiritual is to be weak (what could be further from the truth). The most basic teaching of Christianity (love in its purest form) is also considered a weakness by many men. (I can only really speak of religion in the black church.) Because of what our men suffered (having everything they loved and cared for taken away) through slavery, Jim Crow, etc. it has been very difficult for them to learn how to "connect", especially with anything other than what they can see or touch. Praise be unto God, though, it's changing! Men are learning that it's okay to be religious (spiritual), to love God and their families.

Women are more emotional and therefore are more drawn to experiences that appeal to their feelings.

Also, women are weaker and would need to turn to God more for strength. I also think that with the number of women without fathers and husbands would result in us needing a father/husband figure and God would be the perfect one to fill that role.

Some great comments and discussion. Often times churches in society today are much more geared towards a feminine audience. The style of music is soft or even the loud songs are more emotional and laid back. I know this is not true everywhere, but probably safe to say it is true in most churches. The primary message to men cannot just explain how to be "a nice person", but must tap into their deep desire to make a difference and for adventure. This is not to say that men cannot be emotional, but the way we program our services needs to be more balanced and take into account the way men think and respond. I don't believe men are less religious, but display it in a different way.

Well, like I said, my experience is rather limited and I'm speaking from my experience as far as I see it. Don't really have an answer as to why.

But I will say this, "religious" as is the word "spiritual" is such a broad term and has so many subjective definitions. What may be religious for one may not be for another. The question is rather open ended and I don't think should suffice with just an answer of "yes" or "no."

An "alpha" complex maybe?

I don't buy into the idea that this is because women are more emotional, identify more with an emasculated Jesus (in terms of Christianity) and such. As far as saying women are more emotional, that isn't true. Women just more often show their emotion in visible ways. In fact a guy friend of mine admitted he barely ate or slept after a break up, and was on the verge of a break down for about two weeks. I never noticed, and it was because he hid it. Basically same emotions, different manifestations for the sexes (he said men are like this in general too).

The reason I believe this is because I think true Christianity itself tells us otherwise–it is a belief for all. Does anyone really think God would send His Son to only halfway identify with His children for some random, biological reason (women more emotional)?

That just doesn't make sense.

I think the problem lies in the idea of having something/someone one above you authoritatively. As a woman myself, I am already used to the social/cultural chain of command that is men, then women and finally children (note: I'm going off of how societies by and large have operated on these levels, and yes, I studied this, lol!). Because of this, and especially in places where religion isn't exactly the most popular thing to embrace, this would mean the men aren't obligated (in their minds) to be in submission to anyone. I think this is why you can find this same issue in the workplace as well–give a guy a female or highly efficient/competent male boss, and see how he reacts. On average, even if they don't openly admit anything, many guys would admit otherwise that this sort of rubs them the wrong way.

With that said, I don't think the issue has to do with religion at all really, but rather the acknowledge of power. It's largely an authority thing.

~bliss

Women are more religious or more spiritually inclined than men because it's a heart condition. As we all know, women love with their whole heart (and boy do they) . . . no proof of reciprocating energy in most cases, they just fall and fall hard, and men do too . . . uhmm . . .eventually! but men first need proof of _____ (something that solidifies their committment to something e.g love, trust etc) ~ so they need to get to a place of seeing their need for God first while women we just trust that God says He loves us and so He does . . . that's my two cents and i could be wrong but overall a great discussion.