This Q is for all who believe that the "He" in the Bible means that God is a man.?

Question

Why would the Almighty, creator of all things, need a penis?

Remember, it is you, not me, who is assigning a sex to God. I'm just trying to understand. Please use your own words and do not quote the Bible to explain.

There was an extended argument on here yesterday in which many argued that God could not signify both a male and female supreme being. Almost all agrued that God was a he. So, I thought I"d ask for the rationale.

Interesting. I was asking those who believe that God is male to explain in their own words why they believe this. The few that have the belief simply say because the Bible says so -- which is basically the same as a quote. I'm still waiting for an explanation form those folks.

Answer 1

I think that this is the result of three influences:

One, humans have a need to personify their deities; practically every culture has, to a greater or lessor extent. This allows us to be able to grasp their nature and to better understand them.

Two, many cultures have conceived of the "sky" as a male/potent figure and the "earth" as a female/nurtuing figure. Since so many people conceive of God as being in Heaven, and when thinking of this they look reverently at the sky, this may explain the reason that many see God as being male.

Put these two together - pretty powerful combo.

Add the third - language - and ... WHOA!

(And yes, there have been many reasons how this concept of God being a He/Him has been manipulated for human vanity and gain throughout time. Start with the first story of the Bible - how is woman created? And who gets the blame, man or woman, for The Fall? The Church very effectively used this throughout its history, too. I don't mention it to justify it, but to show how patriarichal cultures can be; it is even reflected in their religions - for example, the term "Father" to refer to God.)

IWhile I know that God is without gender, I stuggle to fully comprehend that (being a gendered person) and to find the language to communicate the concept of God. Humans live in a world of language, and our language to do so is often feeble and biased. If I say "He", it may be alleged that I am sexist. If I say "She", some may say "what?" If I write S/He, same reaction. If I say "It", even worse.

So, honestly, what do you suggest that we do to avoid gender bias and to quit thinking about God's alleged "naughty bits"?

Answer 2

Well, if you look back at the history of Christianity and such, you'll remember that a lot of the regions they took over had a strong goddess-worship center to them, because life comes from the woman. Men wrote the bible and taught that woman was BAD because woman brought temptation (e.g.: Eve brought down the whole of mankind with just one bite of an "apple."). They're "God" surely could not be a woman.

The majority of people burned at the stake and punished as heretics by the church through the years were women. We've been persecuted for centuries and with all the "advancements" in our world, still aren't seen as equals.

Answer 3

I dont think God is either sex. The fact the the bible referrs to him as HIM is because of the time it was written the male was dominat to the female.. and of course they wouldnt have had a beleivable God is portayed as a woman, the weaker sex. People back then, and probably now too, have a hard time comprehending a being that isnt either male or female... seems like it has to be one or the other. But God has no sex, no penis, ect.

Answer 4

Jesus referred to God as "Father." Plus, Christians believe that Jesus (a man) is God. All of the personal pronouns that refer to the Deity, both in the Old and New Testaments are masculine.

We just follow the precedent.

Answer 5

Atheist to the rescue! Your God isn't physical. He doesn't have a physical penis. And let's see..... why do actual people need... what to go with.... finger nails. They grow and get in the way. If people really wanted them, they could get fakes. I could see their purpose as claws in less evolved forms of life, but we don't need them. If you don't like that example, how about knuckle hair?

This disregards the answer that not all male forms of life have penes.

Answer 6

God is neither female nor male. God is not a human being. There is no word that man knows of today to describe God, and if there was a word, men(and women), would not comprehend. it would not be to our understanding.

Answer 7

Why ask a christian a question and tell them not to quote from the bible? It does not make sense. God is a He BECUASE THE BIBLE SAYS SO!

Answer 8

so, so far, nobodys answered or completely ignored the fact that you just wanted the people who thought god was a man. cool

this is why yahoo answers is terrible.

Let me throw in my two cents. Personally, i dont really believe in god... buttt... i can tell you why hes a man.

Because hes a powerful figure, and in middle eastern culture (where christianity and judaism spawned)... its a very patriarchal culture. its the males that are in power and make decisions... and theyll say that since adam was "made in his image", *obviously* it must have been a man.

Of course, I would say that the proof of his manhood lies in his obvious love of conflict and deception, and his constant tinkering with his creations.

/my two cents

Answer 9

The bible was written by men. I don't believe God has a gender.

Answer 10

Well, that is a tough one..... I believe that GOD really is no sex, but a spirit. God never really roamed the earth to become a sex. I'm really not sure, that would probable be something to ask when you get to that place.