Why do Christians always refer to "God" as he?

Question

...and then they will tell you that "God" has no gender, but they will continue to use a masculine reference.

Answer 1

Was this perhaps, the original instrument of oppression, followed, of course, by the threat of eternal damnation and the entire parade of fabrications?

Answer 2

God has no gender--the Trinity is three. The Son[2] of the Father[1] appeared on earth in the masculine form. The Spirit[3] provided guidance and inspiration to the Son{2] while he was journeying on this planet earth.

Answer 3

There are two ways to answer this:

Language:

Perhaps you should study the English language. When gender is unknown, the masculine form is used.

History:

Most Christians refer to God as male. They believe that Jesus is God -- and Jesus was a male. It could be argued that God also appears as a burining bush (which the French classify as masculine) and as a dove (which the French classify as feminine). It would appear that God is two thirds male and one third female. If he is a democratic God, then majority rules and he is male.

Answer 4

These people who are saying "...because God is our father" obviously do not understand that God is not supposed to be an actual person, and therefore does not have a sex. I think that is what you were saying in your question.

The people who wrote the bible could have just as well written "our mother," but they didn't because they wanted to ensure the continuation of patriarchy and male supremacy. By calling God "He," they could, and still do, try to justify oppression of women. Church doctrine used to encourage men to beat their wives, and violence against women is such an epidemic today because women are still seen as somehow "subhuman." This is partly why the Catholic church still does not ordain women--because they do not share that special relationship (being male) with God.

Answer 5

God should be considered as an "it". People are just dumb and they prefer to create a God in their own image. Christianity is a masculine religion, therefore, God is referred to as a "he".

Answer 6

I think it's probably because the Bible refers to God in masculine terms. I really don't think it's that big of a deal because God is what God is and you and I can't change God regardless of what we might like or dislike.

Answer 7

In the Torah (1st five books) or Jewish bible God has no gender- In the New Testament God is referred to as Father which is probably where everyone gets the "he" from. Does it matter or change any of the purposes of the teachings?

Answer 8

all of us tend to humanize God. Christianity and most religions like to take this a step further and make God masculine. this is purely a projection, a need to force relation and understanding on something subjective, sublime and ultimately inconceivable. it has to do with ego- historically society has been male dominated. a misconception of the ultimate reality...which is in general , closer to the feminine aspects of birth, creation and manifestation.- (infinity sounds more female than male to me...)

Answer 9

Jesus refers to His "parent" as "Abba Father". Personally, I think it due to the fact that us guys really dont have it together in being an ideal man. If our own dad dont show us how to be compassionate, loving, forgiving, etc then a lot of guys will continue to be the opposite.

A lot of us guys will look up to athletes, entrepreneurs and military heroes. We will look at any guy that is thought of as being the powerful alpha male. Very few of us will try to be "saintly" in our ways which involves being humble. We are thought of as being "weak" (yet it takes a lot of strength and courage to stand up to that kind of thinking). This could very well be why Jesus came as a man instead of a woman. But what do I know? Maybe you should ask Him yourself.

Answer 10

Because "He" is God. Look at 1 Chronicles 16:14 for an example, not only do us Christians identify God as "He" But also the Jews / Hebrews. Ever heard the song Yes Jesus love me? "Because the Bible tells me so,"

1 Chronicles 16:14 tells us; He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.

Answer 11

I think it is simply tradition. God has always been referred to as "he", therefore people's kids refer to God as a "he" and their kids and so forth. It's tradition & habit. What do they say about it takes 21 days and something is a habit, well, thousands of years later we are still referring to god as "he". That's my take, anyway.