So far, this is all I have seen people refer to God by, indicating somebody perfect is "He". Sorry if I am wrong, as I am not that familiar with his teachings. Please don't take offense, it's just an observation.
2006-07-29 11:26:24 · 15 answers · asked by ♪Grillon♫ 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
This problem only exists in English, and only in modern times.
In other languages people are used to assigning gender to almost every object. In English we do not do that. Who knows why.
In English however, up until very recently, the male gender was understood to be inclusive of female as well - hence "Mankind" and "He" in reference to God.
I think that rather than argue about semantics, it would be a better idea for all of the "feminists" who cant understand some of the more basic conventions of the English language to take remedial grammar and realize that "He" is inclusive.
2006-07-29 11:35:58 · answer #1 · answered by ***** 6 · 1⤊ 4⤋
That is because "God" isn't a common noun, it is a specific name. It is like how there is a difference between Democratic and democratic. Simply put, "God" is referred to as a He since "God" refers specifically to the Judeo-Christian God, which has been identified as a father-like figure.
Furthermore, the lower case "god" is a gender specific term, as is the female equivalent, "goddess." It is only logical that someone using a male specific noun would then use a male specific pronoun.
2006-07-29 23:03:32 · answer #2 · answered by Thought 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps your god is a feminine spirit, but, then, She is not the Christian God. Christ calls the Christian god "Father," not Mother. Throughout the ages, the god of gods has always been masculine (Zeus, for example), and, yes, it is very sexist because nature is sexist. You find that the female cannot create without the essence of the male. Because she needs that essence, the god of all gods is, thus, male. In the Christian religion, it is all kind of backwards--He can create, but he still needs a human woman (Mary) to carry his seed. The only difference between God and Zeus (in mating with human women) is that Zeus had sex with them--the Christian God just sent an angel (he did it with words, not deeds). But, don't be confused..not everybody calls their god "He." Many people worship the Goddess... the earth mother... and they call her "she." It all depends to whom you speak and of what religion they call their own.
2006-07-29 19:03:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is a spirit. The great leader. I think people refer to God as he as they say our Father for the patriarchal society. Just like humankind is often refered to as mankind which includes women and men, but, God is both Mother and Father. The Great Spirit.
I also think the person above who discussed feminist with you is a moron. A feminist is a man or woman who believes that women should be treated equal to men, meaning that there should be equal pay for equal work and equal privileges for both sexes. Anti feminists are often confused.
2006-07-29 19:27:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All of us would love to describe and box up reality or existence (which sometimes is called "God," note the capital 'g,' as if it were a person.) But we can not describe or put this thing into a box, like ourselves, it is completely beyond description, beyond the use of symbols and signs. And since the two greatest things beyond description come forth, ourselves and god, we put them into the same category, making god a person, and making a person that which is of god; obviously neither really help describe what the other is.
2006-07-29 20:10:10 · answer #5 · answered by The Witten 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is neither man or woman but people refer to god as he, is because in the time when god became known, men were thro to be above woman. So the idea of god being a woman was ludrious...god had to be a man that's why they refer to god as him. And people are so use to refer to god as him, he and they have nothing else to change it too.
2006-07-29 18:33:11 · answer #6 · answered by dare_ange1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I refer to God as HE because it's in the Bible that way-- people say that Elohim or whatever isn't gendered-- but there's too many references to God as Father and Patriarch.
The textual answer is He, Him
But that's the only reason I call it that... because the damn concept "God" is just that-- a textual fantasy.
2006-07-29 18:48:24 · answer #7 · answered by -.- 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
feminists and unitarian/universalists have been advocating for the feminine nature or at least a feminine side of the supreme being for years.
to most mainline Christian religions, however, God is the Father. (And Jesus is the Son, and the Holy Spirit exists as the love between the Father and the Son).
2006-07-29 18:31:39 · answer #8 · answered by JoeSchmoe06 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People aren't sexist doll face. Everyone calls God "He" because God is superior to man and everyone knows that women are weak and inferior. LOL....just kidding cuttie. God's true nature is incomprehensible to humans. God is just as much a man as "He" is a duck billed platypus.
2006-07-29 20:39:33 · answer #9 · answered by Link 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's because religious hierarchies tend to be patriarchal. They create God in their image instead of the other way around.
2006-07-29 19:56:04 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋