WHO ARE MORE RELIGIOUS: WOMEN OR MEN?

Abstract

In this study whether the robust finding regarding the superiority of women on men in terms of religiosity reported in studies done in Christian tradition is valid for Muslim society or not was researched. The data obtained from 11 different studies conducted mostly with university samples were studied. Religiosity was tracked in three main variables: Absolute Religiosity (or faith/worldview), Religious Tension (or tension in faith/worldview), and Religious Openness (or openness in faith/worldview). In terms of Absolute Faith, whilst nearly half of the studies were found statistically non significant, the other half confirmed that women are more religious than man as it was reported in Christian tradition. In addition, women were found to be experiencing more tension and uncertainty on their religion (but not on faith/worldview) and are more tolerant and open to the faith or religion of those who do not belong to their own. However, men tend to be experiencing more transformation, tension and uncertainty concerning their faith/or wordview. The results indicate, with less certainty, that men are interested in cognitive and wholistic aspect of their religion or faith whilst women are more interested in emotional and relational dimensions of their faith.

Keywords

• Gender
• religiosity
• traditional religiosity
• religious tension
• religious openness
• faith/worldview
• Turkey
• Muslim
• Islam.