There may be another reason. Rodney Stark, a professor of sociology and comparative religion at the University of Washington, flips the question around: Why are men less religious?
“Studies of biochemistry imply that both male irreligiousness and male lawlessness are rooted in the fact that far more males than females have an underdeveloped ability to inhibit their impulses, especially those involving immediate gratification and thrills,” Stark argued in a 2002 paper in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. The upshot is that some men are shortsighted and don’t think ahead, Stark said, and so “going to prison or going to hell just doesn’t matter to these men.” Stark may have purposely overstated the case, but you get the point. My wife suggested another reason: Life is simply harder for women. While I can’t argue with that, I also can’t find any research connecting that to prayer or church attendance.
Related Questions
- There may be another reason. Rodney Stark, a professor of sociology and comparative religion at the University of Washington, flips the question around: Why are men less religious?
- From a sociological perspective, should religion be used to define standards, values, and laws in any society?
- What are the eight needs of religion in sociology?
