Does anyone have a problem with IT? (beliefs, doctrine, church) - Page 3

MaddLlama · #21 09-07-2007, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buttons*

so Gods have he human capacity to be able to feel offended?

Could you expound on this for me? I think I know what you're saying, but I want to be absolutely sure

The Gods, for people who are polytheists, are closer to humans in their attitudes, appearance and other things than what Monotheists would consider God (though, they often appear as animals as well). They exist in a spirit realm close to ours (and in some cases overlaps). They are individual beings with their own personalities and responsibilities.

doppelgänger · #22 09-07-2007, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buttons*

I'm wondering if people here have a problem with the possibility that their god/goddess/es/s aren't male or female... but "It" something without gender. Would it be painful for anyones' beliefs to refer to a diety as "it"?

Paraphrasing Spinoza, "God" is paradoxically the anti-"It".

Willamena · #23 09-07-2007, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buttons*

What if He was a She? Would S/He be offended at the assumption that S/He is considered to be male all the time?

I suspect that if there was a problem to be had, it would be with the person for whom others are utilizing their least favourite pronoun for God.

Hema · #24 09-07-2007, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buttons*

I'm wondering if people here have a problem with the possibility that their god/goddess/es/s aren't male or female... but "It" something without gender. Would it be painful for anyones' beliefs to refer to a diety as "it"?

In Hinduism God is neither male nor female but has male and female qualities...these are also represented in the Deities which are manifestations of that one God but represent different attributes. Basically, the male aspect is Shiva or the cosmic consciousness and Shakti is the female aspect or energy and creative force of the universe. So, to us, although God has no gender because God is limitless...God can be considered as both Mother and Father.

ayani · #25 09-07-2007, 02:47 PM

i tend to call God "He" in writing and speaking, but don't see Him as male or as a 'man', but as beyond gender, and also as present in both men and women. yet "It" sounds disrespectful to me, so i stick with "Him".

Buttons* · #26 09-07-2007, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayani

i tend to call God "He" in writing and speaking, but don't see Him as male or as a 'man', but as beyond gender, and also as present in both men and women. yet "It" sounds disrespectful to me, so i stick with "Him".

Why is "it" so disrespectful, though?

It's just a word... same as "he" or "she"

Aqualung · #27 09-07-2007, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buttons*

Why is "it" so disrespectful, though?

It's just a word... same as "he" or "she"

"it" just carries a lot of "baggage" (Yes, I hate myself for saying baggage, but I couldn't think of anything else). It's reserved for inanimate objects or children you don't like and want to make fun of.

CaptainXeroid · #28 09-07-2007, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buttons*

...What if He was a She? Would S/He be offended at the assumption that S/He is considered to be male all the time? ...

No worries by me, as I know many people, including including quite a few in our Disciples of Christ Church, who refer to God as a Mother Spirit.

As long as we are good to each other, I don't think God would be offended over which pronoun we choose.