Religion and the difference between men and women?

Question

Do you think that your gender has any effect on why you choose religion or why you don't?

Do men have different motives for joining religion than women? How about for leaving religion?

Your thoughts?

Answer 1

I think women as emotional creatures tend to want that interpersonal relationship with a higher power or powers. I have read quite often that men are less likely to be a part of organized religion than women. I think alot of our reasons for joining are the same- fear of possible rertibution, loneliness, genuine desire for a spiritual connection with a higher being, etc.
The reasons for leaving could be different. I have known a few women that have left a specific church that preached women were creatures of evil and even encouraged arranged marriage. A couple left the religion altogether.
I don't think men struggle with these issues as much.
I also chose to be pagan in large part due to the sexism of the Bible.

Answer 2

I would say, not necessarily. But I do however have a thought for you... How about referring to god in a male context? Peculiar isn't it, that the religious gods of the past were personified so much. Gods of the past? God of the now? I'm going to go out on a limb here... Lets say Civilization has for the most part come to believe that "God", Is one god (monotheism), another large portion of the population believes there is no god, and then there is another (I can only assume) large portion that I don't know much about (cultural religions like Norse, Voodoo, and Greek and so forth). Now, how about those monotheism religions? I know I'm not the only one to notice, but there's a lot of men in those religions... Sure, you got Jesus who sounds like a great guy! I grew up following him I suppose... Him and His Father. I can't tell you all the names of the apostles Jesus had - Bunch of Guys, Thomas was one. How about that religion with all the priests? Bishops? Cardinals? Popes? Lot of men there. I'm not sure what Psalms means... but all those books in the Bible, men. Do they talk about men much in Islam? How about all the stories we've heard about? Prophets, Heroes, Gods? So men and religion... that's what that question stirs up. I actually wondered if woman think much about that...? There's more still! So how does having all these men in religion make any difference? Well... I think it could play a key role in the way society/civilization/cultures are set up. To put in a cosmic perspective: it's probably, a large "contribution",on our evolution as humans. What I think the largest contribution is, is these times now, when it feels as though there is this struggle amongst us. A struggle to recover our humanity. We have strayed so far from what is natural, as an animal, as an organic organism of this planet. Is it Religion that is doing this to us...? The most alarming part (that I have seen) in this struggle, is the massive shift in consciousness about what God means to everyone. There is a lot to be said about this topic, but the alarming part I'm referring to, is the Atheism and how that is evolving. I have nothing against Atheism, I have come to understand what it means, which is the belief that there is no god. This is nothing new. The evolution is alarming, as much of what I see now is people who claim to be Atheist and their conversion takes place on the disbelief in religion. The reason this is alarming to me is because I do believe in God, but I am not religious (another growing population). So there are the shoes in which you must stand. The words men have been writing about "God" for centuries, have separated our understanding from the nature of Life's Existence. In the confusion, many are lost. They lose faith in something greater than themselves. They abandoned their conscious for a mind of reason. Their emotions will start to fade. Their humanity begins to slip. Have they only forgotten what they are? Or are they becoming something else? Beware, The Age of Reason. Be aware. -JS-

Answer 3

To get a really good answer I suspect you would have to subdivide this question into separate religions, at least monotheistic and polytheistic, perhaps. No doubt gender plays a huge role in religion preferences and understanding. For example, in my own religion, it's been shown that men are more likely to use visual metaphors (I saw the light) etc. Women are more likely to describe in auditory metaphors (This passage of scripture really spoke to me.)

However, beyond gender differences is the commonality of wanting to find and grasp the truth of what life is all about, what is beyond the other side of death, why we are here at all, and how we are supposed to live in relation to other people. That drive to fulfill one's spiritual needs goes beyond male and female, even though gender differences may direct that drive in varying directions. A very good question.

Answer 4

Dear

Islam is the only Religion which gave equal rights to women and provided Share in the properties of the Parents.

Read what the Holy Book Quran says:

4:32. And in no wise covet those things in which Allah Hath bestowed His gifts More freely on some of you than on others: To men is allotted what they earn, and to women what they earn: But ask Allah of His bounty. For Allah hath full knowledge of all things.

4:7. From what is left by parents and those nearest related there is a share for men and a share for women, whether the property be small or large,-a determinate share.

Our Holy Prophet Muhammad peace be on him said:

The Heaven is beneath the feet of Mother.

It is also said by him that a Mother has to be honoured three times more than the Father.

Of Course God has choosen Men for the Posts of Holy Prophets and It is the responsibility of Men to run the expenditure of the family and not the women and they are not bound to work for the sake of earning.

Again it is said that the First School of the Child is his Mother's lap. Mothers lay the foundation for religious thoughts in a child by their talk, action and advice.

So Men and Women share equal responsibilities be a Religion or a family.

Answer 5

I cannot answer for men but I can certainly answer, "Do you think that your gender has any effect on why you choose religion or why you don't?"

Absolutely!!!

I studied monotheism of all stripes and responded with a resounding "No!" simply because I am a woman. There is no significant or meaningful place set at the table for people of my gender when we are being referred to in their holy books as "property" or "chattel."

It took years but then I discovered Wicca. I've never looked back. And yes. In this, my gender had a great deal of influence over my eventual decision about which form of spirituality I would pursue.

Answer 6

No my gender has nothing at all to do with my religion. I don't think people have motives other than to grow spiritually.

Answer 7

I think there are a lot of variables besides gender. I also don't usually refer to my faith as a religion, because a religion is humankind's attempt to reach God. My faith is in Jesus Christ and is a relationship that Jesus initiated by coming to die for sins. The difference? With Jesus, God reached out to humankind because we could never reach Him with our own efforts.

Men and women might live out their faith in different ways, respond to aspects of it differently, but the same basic needs draw both to seek God. That God shaped hole in the human soul that can only be filled with Jesus.

Answer 8

I can't think of a single effect of gender on religion? Doesn't mean there aren't any..

Answer 9

Good question.

Historically, religion has always without fail, attracted the male of the species.

Perhaps it is because males are more interested in the acquisition of any form of power over another being or of many beings, and the spoils that come with it.

Answer 10

Boys think about girls mostly, and church can be a good place to find girls. Religions treat females in VERY different ways, and that would concern their choice of religion.