What if God had been perceived of as female?

[The Mists Of Time]

Throughout all or most of history, certainly after monotheism took over, God has been universally perceived of and worshipped solely as male, and this view of God solely as male has had a profound effect on history and civilization.

But what if instead throughout all of that history and even today, God had been just as universally perceived of and worshipped solely as female, as Goddess?

How would it have changed not only religion, but also history, civilization, the relationship between men and women, gender roles, and everything if throughout all that history and even still today God had been universally perceived of and worshipped solely as female, as Goddess?

[Keenir]

Originally Posted by The Mists Of Time

Throughout all or most of history, certainly after monotheism took over, God has been universally perceived of and worshipped solely as male, and this view of God solely as male has had a profound effect on history and civilization.

we use the male pronoun because we don't have a Divine pronoun. (do we?)

But what if instead throughout all of that history and even today, God had been just as universally perceived of and worshipped solely as female, as Goddess?

How would it have changed not only religion, but also history, civilization, the relationship between men and women, gender roles, and everything if throughout all that history and even still today God had been universally perceived of and worshipped solely as female, as Goddess?

gender roles would not be affected.

if they were affected at all, it would be resulting in a worse standard of living for women -- after all, they would argue, "the only competant woman able to do anything for herself, is God Herself!"

[carlton_bach]

Originally Posted by Keenir

we use the male pronoun because we don't have a Divine pronoun. (do we?)

I guess we would have one if it had been felt we needed it.

But I agree, siomply having a Goddess does not mean women will automatically have higher status. That will depend more on the type of society that develops under that system.

[Tom Veil]

Originally Posted by Keenir

we use the male pronoun because we don't have a Divine pronoun. (do we?)

Well, there are plenty of languages that have a much wider variety of pronouns than English. To my knowledge, they all refer to Yahweh/Christian God/Allah as male.

[Tom_B]

Theology usually claims God is neither Male or Female (or alternatively Male AND Female). The so called Maleness of the divinity is that the Male Image of God is considered more appropriate.

If a theology developed which considered the female more appropriate that would not lead to matriarchy. More likely temple prostitution remains in vogue. I am Isis. No Man has lifted my veil but if you pay the Heriesarchs you can lift my skirt.

[HueyLong]

Jesus' female style virtues didn't do much- why would a female god do anything?

[The Ubbergeek]

Sexist, are we?

[Wendell]

In Christianity, the mother of "God" was female. Would making God female change much?

[Tom Veil]

Originally Posted by Wendell

In Christianity, the mother of "God" was female. Would making God female change much?

It's the male version of YHWH who's leading all of the Jews in their many Old Testament wars. Most likely, the all-male warriors are the dog, and the priests who later record the history of the battle with a male YHWH watching over are the tail. But suppose the battle-YHWH is womanly. That certinaly won't lead to women soldiers, since pre-gunpowder a woman-warrior society would be at a severe disadvantage. But it could lead to women holding the military advisor positions.

[Keenir]

Originally Posted by Tom Veil

But suppose the battle-YHWH is womanly. That certinaly won't lead to women soldiers, since pre-gunpowder a woman-warrior society would be at a severe disadvantage. But it could lead to women holding the military advisor positions.

maybe more like the Judges than military advisors (did I just contradict myself?).....after all, nobody who's been in the thick of battle (and will go back into it again) wants to be second-guessed by someone who's never been in battle before, right?

[Smaug]

Originally Posted by Keenir

maybe more like the Judges than military advisors (did I just contradict myself?).....after all, nobody who's been in the thick of battle (and will go back into it again) wants to be second-guessed by someone who's never been in battle before, right?

That almost made me spit beer Good Point.