5 Reasons There Aren’t More Women in Atheism

Fifth, it’s no exaggeration to say that managing sexism is exhausting, depressing and distracts from work women could be doing as visible spokespeople of fighting for higher and equal pay, or immigration policies that include uneducated women, or ending sexual predation, or advocating for the right to control our own reproduction. All of which, by the way, would probably  contribute to the growth of secular and non-religious culture.  (There are reasons why  seven of the ten most religious states in the US are also rated the worse states for women to live in.) The need to constantly struggle against gender-based prejudice leaves women with less time and energy to work on any of these issues.

Conferences like  Women in Secularism Conference or Blackout, a secular rally celebrating diversity started by Mandisa L. Thomas, president and founder of  Black Nonbelievers, are vibrant events and important to building communities. But they’re not enough.  Kim Rippere, founder of  Secular Woman explains,  “The secular community needs to be self-reflective regarding acceptance and inclusion both within our community and in society and the media has to stop ignoring women atheists or it will continue to be difficult for women to emerge as atheist leaders.”

If leaders who have access to media, money and institutional power seek to build the movement in a “business as usual” way, then we will see “business as usual” results.  Just Google, “Where are the women?”