Natural selection

[Sayre]

Is there any way to explain why a faithful / religious man (from the Abrahamic faiths) would be more appealing to a woman than a man without those qualities?

Are our brains programmed to find religious belief appealing in a mate?

I must admit, I do find a well balanced faith, and a man who can defend his faith, very appealing (physically).

 

[Old Ned]

I think that simply comes down to personal preferences.

 

[JustMeSee]

Different people have different priorities when choosing a mate. I would guess that religious attraction may have to do with similarity in values, as well as a learned acceptable quality.

 

[Senator Cheese]

I would argue that faith would rather be a result of natural selection than of sexual selection, if that is what you're getting at.

Reasons for sexual attractions may be:
- increased self esteem
- conveying a sense of security
- conveying a sense of intelligence by having answers to existential questions
- shared cultural values
- knowing that the individual will be more reliable and selfless (less worldly greed)
- knowing the individual will be more loyal as illoyality towards the spouse would be followed by divine punishment

 

[Sayre]

maybe you feel more safe around men whose belief system is similar or the same as yours?

Probably