Are Women More Spiritual??

[Arduinna]

Who do think is more spiritual, men or women?

[simonee]

wow i've never been the first one to vote. You didn't even vote yourself, you posting goddess you

I voted women. I've often felt that men tend to be more religious, as in 'the people that adhere to the rules/books/laws of whatever religion are often males " (maybe because most religions are made by and for males?), and that women tend to be more searching and perhaps more open toward new experiences that aren't necessarily catalogued or claimed by formal religion, which to me are essential parts of spirituality.

then again, I'm not spiritual myself at all. I just don't believe in anything "higher," though instincts and vibes are important guideposts for me.

[mamaduck]

I didn't vote. I think there is probably a huge amount of variation in how people define "spiritual." Traditionally in the christian church, the concept of "spirit" has been separated and distinguished in contrast from the concept of "flesh" or earth. So, traditionally, men have been thought to be more spiritual, because they can more easily deny their ties to nature. We women, OTOH - are hopeless bound to the rythmns of nature.

Now personally, I think that is all crap, and I try not to draw a line between spirit and nature. At the very least, I don't see them as diametrically opposed.

And I also think spiritual consciousness takes some level of intention to maintain. So -- I think spirtuality is a gift available to men and women and the level of depth depends on the individual person, and it does not depend on gender.

[BelovedBird]

Judaism belives that, absolutely, women have a closer connection to the spiritual.
And I agree.

-BelovedBird

[MysticHealerMom]

simonee

I don't think you have to believe in a supreme being to be spirtual. I think it has a lot to do with trust in a greater sense than yourself. I think if you can look beyond your own needs and suffering, that's a form of spirtiuality.

I see you as a spritual person, outwardly in your comments, anyway, even if you don't see yourself that way. it's probably semantics

I didn't mean to open up a debate about the definition of sprituality, as I said, and mamaduck indicated, there's variations - it all comes down to personal views and semantics.

i said women are more spiritual. based on my feelings about sprituality, i think women have a greater capacity to reflect outside themselves. Not that men don't, we all have our challenges, it's a generalization. Best I can do, I suppose.

Lori

[mamabeard]

i agree with you, mhm.. it's semantics..

and simonee, there's such kindness and spirit in your words.. inspiration and intent to understand and be loving are things i equate with spirituality..

i think women are probably more adept at and have more tendency toward spirituality, as i think women more easily embrace emotions, which i believe to be the lubricant to understanding anything..

[barbara]

I voted equally, because I believe men and women are both spiritual, yet tend to express it in different ways. As Simonee said, in general, men do tend to be more "religious" and women more "experience/relational." However, I think there is an emptiness within each of us that yearns for the spiritual. How each person searches for and fullfills that yearning is very much dependent on the make-up of the individual and their life experiences.

I believe that women are more expressive in general, so tend to express their spirituality more openly then men do. That doesn't make them more spiritual, simply more open and relational with their spirituality.

Namaste,
b

[mamabeard]

good points, barbara..

i don't think women are more inherently spiritual than men.. perhaps it does boil down to ease of expression (and cultural repression of men's emotions or whatever). i've known lots of spiritual men, but my experience has been that woman more directly persue "it", and place more priority on it..

[barbara]

mamabeard, yes I think that is traditionally why men have taken on the more religious roles in churches and temples, while women have been the spiritual keepers in the home. Women have been the healers, the keepers of traditions, the nurturers.

I have often wondered how spiritual some men would be if it weren't for the spiritual women in their lives.

Namaste,
b

[steph]

i do think that men and women probably experience spirituality differently - certainly, i think they tend to express it differently.... that said, i also think that because women are more inherently connected to the cycles of nature, that we tend have an easier more direct relation to spirit... just my humble opinion...

[merpk]

... by mamaduck
... traditionally, men have been thought to be more spiritual, because they can more easily deny their ties to nature. We women, OTOH - are hopeless bound to the rythmns of nature ... I think spirtuality is a gift available to men and women and the level of depth depends on the individual person, and it does not depend on gender.

Finding it fascinating that the Church's reasons for men being more spiritual are precisely the reason (or one of the reasons) Judaism views men as less spiritual, and women as more (tied to our & nature's & creation's rhythms) ...

And many of Judaism's rituals that are obligatory on men are precisely to "elevate" men, to help them keep their spiritual natures in the forefront ... and women are not obligated in these activities for the opposite reasons, that we are automatically, by virtue of our being women, tied to creation and the Infinite ...



- Amy

[mamaduck]

Amy -- I don't know for certain, but I think those Christian beliefs stemmed from Greek philosophies which differentiated mind from matter.

[marymom]

I believe ladies are genetically predisposed to being spiritually sensitive.

http://www.birth-sex.com/books1.html
about half way down (Elizabeth Davis also author of Heart and Hands -midwifery book) there are some gender specific characteristics listed that I have read about in other places before too and I believe affects ones ability to perceive and relate to spirituality however there would be exceptions and abnomalies to this (in my opinion) so <shrug shoulders> I think in general...ladies are more spiritual, but that there are/will always be...exceptions,
just my big fat "o"
~mary

[ladylee]

I think they're equally so, in different ways. One thing I find interesting is how many women turn to a more focused practice when they reach a certain age. Like my grandmother turning into a church lady in her 70's after not having gone to church for most of her life.

[DiaperDiva]

I voted both are equally.

The men in my church show their spirituality in the same manner as the women. Both are equally expressive in their love of God and family.

It's nice to see men cry

[Bekka]

I really do believe that women are more easily able to be spiritual. Having said that, my dh and I had this huge discussion last night about how I am used to exploring my spirituality/beliefs by asking questions/discussing with others/mostly adults in the house. (was my dad, now it's dh). He is deeply spiritual and very confident in his relationship with God, but he doesn't "explore" his relationship outwardly like I do. So who knows?

[Arduinna]

the poll results are really interesting....

[Pynki]

I voted women... perhaps i am biased because i am one, but i think that women are more open to spiritual experiences... We give birth... We have other spirits inside our body for this to happen... I know the women in my family.. ( and i only have 3 sisters to go by) feel things more keenly than most men... That said perhaps it is hereditary.. My father can tell when a women is pg before she can many times.. So perhaps spirituality is sort of like a gift... The ablility to see and understand things that aren't obviously obvious... That's my .02 on what spirituality is... How you are able to percieve what isn't necessarily tangable... How do you know when there are spirits near by... I know because i see them and feel them.. Perhaps not everyone does, but i do... I know that in my family this is something more prevalent amoung our women... But as i said.. My dad's a pretty spiritual guy too...

Warm Squishies for everyone...

Dyan

[barbara]

Dyan,
I agree. I think that many woman are more spirituallly sensitive than many men. I don't have time to elaborate now.....

[BelovedBird]

I wanted to pop in and clarify my thoughts. I believe that women have an easier time connecting to their spirituality, naturally, than men. Men may be able to acheive an equal level of spirituality, I just think it is closer to women.
Men can be just as "religious" as women, but religious does not always mean spiritual.

Does anyone get what I am saying?

-BelovedBird