I came across an interesting statistic recently which got me thinking.
So, 23% of men in the USA are nonbelievers while only 19% of women are.
I wonder why that is?
Could it be that men are generally more brave than women so they don't fear the possibility of what could happen to them if they turn away from god, like eternal damnation?
Could it be that women are more focused on relationships and therefore are less likely to give up on belief because it could mean the end of valuable relationships which have been cultivated over time?
If anyone has any thoughts on this, please leave me a comment.
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.I don't claim to know the answer, but it's certainly an interesting question. Made me think.
So, the thoughts that bubbled up are these:
I've heard it said, and my experience seems to bear it out, that, on average, men tend to focus more on things, and women tend to focus more on people. Seems to me that men, in general, tend to think more mechanically, and women tend to think more organically. I'm sure that in reality it's a lot more complex than this, but my guess is that maybe men, on average, tend to read religious texts more literally, and anyone who does that (and who is thinking) can see that it is hopelessly conflicted. Whereas women may tend to read the material more metaphorically, as poetry, and not get too caught up in taking it literally. Like being able to appreciate a Jackson Pollock for the movement and color, and not get too wrapped around the axle about "what it means." ??
skado
Level 9
Nov 2, 2020
0
Only 19—23% are nonbelievers? I can't believe this
Spongebob
Level 7
Oct 31, 2020
0
Yeah, pretty discouraging right. But these numbers are constantly increasing 
I have, since a child, heard Dad say that women were slower to react to things because they generally thought on something from every angle they could think of it before making up their minds. And that again, generally speaking, once thei minds were made, it took moving a mountain, to get them to change. At seventy seven, I'm inclined to agree with his thinking.
HankSherman
Level 8
Oct 30, 2020
3
Seems like a good thing to me. Impulsivity is problematic. This is why a lot people want more females in leadership positions.
@RoboGraham that is something I agree with. Males have had a long period in which to try running things, and have screwed up, hugely.. time for some intelligent women to see what kind of job they can do...
Yes, step aside guys. It's time for the ladies to take the reins!
It's an interesting question. I had thought it was the other way around
RoboGraham
Level 8
Oct 30, 2020
1
You wrote"So, 23% of men in the USA are nonbelievers while only % of women are."
You left out the % for women.
Word
Level 8
Oct 30, 2020
2
Oh, whoops. It was 19%.
Thanks for alerting me of that.
it could be that fewer women were asked. it could be that the wrong women were asked. it could be the phrasing of the question that was used in the poll. i know more female nonbelievers than male ones.
g
genessa
Level 8
Oct 30, 2020
3
Very true. There are always possible issues with how the data is collected.
Your numbers are very far off.
Here's the real numbers from Pew research.
In the United States women are more likely than men to say religion is “very important” in their lives (60% vs. 47% for men)
So it's a slightly elevated tendency, not a hard percentage, certainly not more than a 2% difference.
[pewforum.org]
Willow_Wisp
Level 8
Oct 30, 2020
1
Well that's good news. I hope as many women as possible are liberated from religion.
Let's see your evidence.
LovinLarge
Level 8
Oct 30, 2020
1
I don't have evidence, I'm just putting out my thoughts on why it might be this way. I'm asking, not telling.
@Zoltans_Queen When you cite statistics, it's incumbent upon you to provide the source of the research for examination.
I don't have anything to post. It's just something I saw that someone had posted elsewhere.
I put it here to create a casual conversation and trade ideas. If you don't think those numbers are correct, that's great, it's good to be skeptical.
@LovinLarge Not really, she's wanting to discuss the disparity not the actual stats. "Why are there not as many women openly secular." She doesn't really need a source to query that.
@Leelu LOL, there's no disparity to discuss until the statistics are validated.
@LovinLarge Sure there is since it's common knowledge. But go ahead a pick nits, have fun with that.
@Leelu It's not common knowledge. There's a disparity in information within this single thread. Viewing the evidence allows us to rule out potential problems with the data suggested in another comment. It also divulges the scope of the research and may suggest answers to some of the questions raised by the OP. Evidence is how we distinguish fact from fiction. Opposition to evidence like yours is suspicious and ill-founded.
@Zoltans_Queen I totally accept that answer, I think it's totally normal to take casual notice of something and then ponder it later. I don't know if those numbers are accurate or even current, and I wasn't doubting them by asking to see the evidence. Your questions were premised on the numbers, so seeing the evidence was necessary for me to discuss your questions. Obviously not everyone is as discerning as I, but their input won't generally be as helpful either because they haven't done their homework.
The real back story here is that we have members that make outlandish factual claims on a daily basis and refuse to support them with evidence because they can't. Particularly right before a critical election, we need to be very careful about distinguishing fact from fiction. Anyway, thanks for hearing me out and welcome to this website!
I totally agree! The numbers are important. If someone is saying something unusual,we need to see the proof before we believe it. And that is especially important during election season. I can't believe how close it finally is. The suspense is killing me!
@Zoltans_Queen Thank you for accepting my comments in the spirit they were intended. As soon as I read your bio, I expected you would become a valuable member here. I hope you enjoy your interactions here. There are some very interesting personalities and backgrounds. I look forward to hearing more from you!
@LovinLarge I am not opposed to evidence and there's nothing in my post that states that. It just wasn't necessary in this situation of a general discussion. Your hyperbole belies your argumentative disposition and your false assertation are laughable. Maybe you'd spend better time getting over yourself. Ta!
@Leelu I've watched your pattern on this website of creating problems where none exist, just like now. You made yourself unwelcome with your very first post here making you part of an elite group of timewasters. You have no regard for the truth and don't understand the significance of evidence. Blocked.
@LovinLarge I imagine she feels the same about you.
@Leelu Nit picking, that's a good one. 
@Heathenist How pathetic that you would make up a new name so that you could continue to interact with me pretending to be someone else after I blocked you. You have to be an adult to use this website. Blocked.
Apparently we have a self appointed arbiter now.
One or more or all could be reasons. Many things have filtered down to genders from traditions, customs and old ways of life.
- Women are fearful, men are much less
- Women feel less secure than men
- Women are not risk takers, men are
- Women follow, men lead
- Women take orders, men give orders
- Women are emotional, men are much less
- Women do faith and church for children, fathers are not as nourishing as mothers are
- Women have less control over things in life than men do
- Men like to have control over life, women have been used to being submissive
- Women have not headed families as much as men have (that's where decision making comes from)
But some of the great exceptions are - Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Greta Christina, Jennifer Michael Hecht, Nella Larsen
Men being less religious is a global phenomenon. According to “A World of Atheism: Global Demographics” in the Oxford Handbook of Atheism, 2013:
- 77% of self-designated atheists in the Ukraine are male
- 76% in Portugal
- 70% in Uruguay
- 67% in Japan
- 65% in Israel
- 65% in Mexico
- 61% in Sweden
- 60% in the Netherlands
St-Sinner
Level 9
Oct 30, 2020
0
Women are oppressed, men much less.
Agreed. I don't know if I'd say that we are much more fearful than men but, overall, yes.
Okay, now that you updated your comment, I take it back, not agreed.
most of those are myths rather than traditions.
g
My thoughts: Women have been oppressed, for all time really, so as a survival mechanism women (as a group) are less likely to pull away from church where they can get a variety of resources and support regardless of their situation or status. Especially women with children. Secondly, as an oppressed people they are also more conditioned to submission than men. Thirdly, women are not widely welcomed into secular groups as equals when those groups are run by men and often times expected to still be submissive to their male counterparts without any of the support that church gives them. Though it's 2020 it's still in their best interest and their children's best interest to stay where they can have the best available resources.
I'm not saying these are the only reasons there are fewer openly secular women but I see these as the 3 main reasons. As women become more independent, more reliant on each other, not only in their jobs/careers but also in their thinking, those numbers will change to the more secular.
In addition... Secular life only combats religion, not misogyny.
Leelu
Level 7
Oct 30, 2020
5
I think you make some good . Men are less expected to be caretakers and they don't have to deal with the same oppression and they get better, so they are more able to be independent and break away from the social structures they find themselves in.
This is the first specifically secular group I've joined since leaving my church. So far I have been welcomed, but I can see what you mean as far as not being looked at as equal. There is still a long way to go to reach equality.
I agree. Women will someday lead the pack as soon as they get their feet under them and have time to. The setting the battlegrounds against the lawmakers come first.
Enjoy being online again!
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