Does religion discriminate against women? If so, why do women report higher levels of religiousity than men?

Question

A sociology question...

Answer 1

I think it does... but that is the way the world was back then, I do not take offense because God also says we are all equal in his eyes, a woman may belong to her husband... but the husband belongs to the wife as well... I think churches can be discriminate... not all are like that though.

Answer 2

I think it definitely does, especially conservative Islam. Dress codes, the prohibition of priesthood (or equivalent) the requirement to obey their husbands etc. are all deeply sexist. In my opinion, more women are religious though because they are oppressed in other ways, and the more oppressed you are in life, the more likely you are to look to the afterlife for salvation (i.e. women are more likely to be poor, have limited secular rights, etc.)

Answer 3

It does and I don't understand why women continue to accept this behavior. Women have just as much responsibility to educate themselves and be part of the solution as men do.I can only assume the reason they think this is because they are not educated, therefore lack the confidence to come out of their shell.

Skittles: This may have been the way things were done in the dark ages but don't assume that it's always been that way! You obviously know NOTHING about past ancient cultures. The Egyptians held women in high regards and many women ruled either alone as queens or alongside their husbands, the kings.

Answer 4

It depends on the religion, but mostly on the practitioner.

Answer 5

socialisation.

Religion has been institutionalised and means a lot more to the followers then just sexual discrimination.

Religions offers lots of other things to adherents. Although I do believe most if not all religions are intrinsically sexist, but most things in our society are.

I guess you have to move past it if your religion is very important to you.

It's a question of the adherent, also religion provides a sense of community that is more likely to appeal to women.

Answer 6

because women (and children) identify with - and protect, their abusers.  Religions just further support man's idea that he's the center of the universe - which he already thinks he knows.