Why does it seem to be that there are more male atheists and agnostics when women are often subjugated in almost every religion ergo there should be more female atheists and agnostics???
Oh also the likes of Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, both of whom I have greatly admired at times have made some outrageously sexist remarks. The Atheist boys club is alive and well.
The coverage of the Lawrence Krauss case has attracted attention to the Free-Thinker movement:
[medium.com]
Well, amen to that, so to speak!
Good question. My guess here. If you consider the poorer countries of the world, they are the most religious (except maybe USA which is an anomaly no one can figure out. ) . The poorest, the most subjugated have to have something bigger than themselves or life isn't worth living. Now in our first world culture, women have only had the vote a mere hundred years. When they were wed, they were told to 'obey' their husband, the head of the house. They handed over their property and husbands had the right to discipline their wives. Have a look at a dinner party today and see who does the cooking, the washing up. Yes I know it is changing but for generations women have been indoctrinated to serve men. Just as we still don't have equal representation of the sexes in parliament, we have yet to catch up. Women aren't paid as much as men. Men are usually physically stronger and can use that to instill fear (I've only ever met one that used it and it was terrifying). So I think evolutionarily women have had a bigger leap to make.
I also think women are more reliant on their social set. So if they renounce their religion they have to lose friends and families and often even culture. Perhaps I am wrong and it is equally difficult for men. In any case education is key. The more women are educated and gain autonomy the less likely to hang on to superstitions.
Sorry but I can't include USA in my answer because I simply can't understand why religion would be increasing there unless it is because of growing poverty
Thoughtful post, MsDemeanour. I can offer my simplistic view: the USA has unique dynamics regarding religion and politics. It's not necessarily poverty that's the motivator yet but opportunity and perspective: a changing demographic. The religious right are generally stereotyped as white, evangelical often related I say this respectfully, with caution because these are stereotypes, to NRA, pro-life, less education, white hate groups. If you lump everyone ELSE together, minorities en total are quickly becoming the majority...though, not yet there. The recent economic downturn of 2007-8 along with 2 terms from our first non-white male president tightened their solidarity, put Trump in the WH and women can be their own worst enemies...these women got behind their men, essentially. It's fascinating dynamics and disturbing to watch citizens in a country of leadership willfully undermining their own power and quality of life.
I don't know. I was raised Catholic, now I'm agnostic. One of the things that made me question Catholicism in the first place was the misogyny. The whole idea of women being "less than" men and not allowed to do the same things was kind of inconsistent with omnibenevolence, and I still think so (I have been agnostic since the 6th grade).
It seems to be a double edged sword: ergo, because women are subjugated in almost every religion, even in their own households, they don't speak up.
In many, many places in the world, they must keep their thoughts to themselves or risk death....if they are even allowed enough leash-length to find out there are other ways of living!
Women seem to be more influenced and needy of social interaction, approval from their peers. Given that belief in religions is greatly influenced by social peer groups, it does not surprise me that there are more male athiest due to their seemingly less need for peer group approval...or it may just be me.
@ThatpersonIam I doubt that with what little time mankind has left that evolution is going to have time to affect much more change.
@Gwendolyn2018 Which are you most likely to see gathered together with serious looks on their faces, gossiping in the Walmart isles? Emotionally, women are "human centipedes" when it comes to social interaction. If a kid gets in trouble in school, is it the mothers or fathers who get on the phone with the parent (mother) of another student to trash-talk their teacher?
@ThatpersonIam You know of course that man is NOT going to move to another planet. There are none with the resources available for independent support of human life.
I havent been making a study of it but there seems to be a fair share of misogyny even among atheists. I don't think it is only linked to religion
@DuchessNyx yes rather understate than fight with people I will probably never meet
In my real everyday life, I'm only open about it at work. No one whom sees me in public knows I'm an atheist. I don't parade around the town.
I think women are more cautious in revealing their nonbeliever status. Most people (male people mostly) will readily challenge women, but they aren't as bold when it comes to confronting men.
I find that a lot of women who wouldn't normally admit that they don't believe in god do so if they learn that I'm an atheist. I don't think there is a large gender based disproportion in atheism. Men are just more open about it.
A quick survey in my social circle shows slightly more non-believer women than men. I found out recently that my Grand-Mother (long ago pass @ 100) was a non-believer but regularly went to Sunday mass because my Grand-Father was a devout Catholic. He signed up for duty at 16 for WWI because he was convinced it was his Christian duty.
Well for that very reason @olicapone perhaps there are more but they will get more grief trying to speak up.
Are there? There do seem to be more on this site, but is there a census out there on sex and religion that you can share?
If it’s an observation from your life experience then maybe simply a case of women not being vocal about their beliefs or disbeliefs?
I don't have the census data. I would say it's more of a perception that I've realized in my life and dealings with people.
Falls under the same category as, why do women say they want a nice guy but date assholes? Good luck figuring it out.
Perhaps you may know they're assholes , but that's no particularly the same side some AH s show the woman , until after it's woo late . On the other hand ,some woman aren't all that smart .