Are more women than men leaving the church? If so, are they leaving for Wicca?

According to a report from Dr. Kristin Aune, a University of Derby sociologist, women are leaving the church in drones, due primarily to the masculine hierarchies and traditionalist ideologies.

Wicca for women

Instead, women are turning to Wicca, the pagan witchcraft tradition. In Wicca, emphasis is placed on both the god and the goddess, often giving more prominence to goddesses and female witches (practitioners of the religion). Wicca, Aune told reporters, offers working women a solution to religions that no longer fit into their busy lives. And they offer more opportunities for leadership than churches: for example, the Catholic Church will not ordain female bishops (though female priests are allowed).

In other words, Wicca has given women a sense of relevance when other religions have not. And Aune believes when religions offer women greater roles, those women will return to those religions.

What about men?

But according to one reporter, men are the ones leaving the church – not women. And why would they leave? Because the church is actually too feminine.

UK Telegraph reporter Jonathan Wynne-Jones says as many women as men are now being ordained as church leaders (i.e., beginning to take over the leadership ranks). Churches are stressing balance, trying to use “he or she” in phrasing and sometimes calling God a woman or referring to “our mother Jesus.” Not to mention, by taking traditionalism out of worship services, church-goers are left with emotions only, something “soft,” as he puts it.

Men, he thinks, will return when church services are bold, structured, and, well, masculine.

What do you think?

Do you  notice more men or women leaving religion? Why do you think they’re really leaving? Is it really a power struggle?

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