This is wonderful, Walt! I have a coffee mug in my collection that was given to me when I first felt admitted to myself the call to priesthood. It says, “God is not a boy’s name.” It’s ashamed we still need reminders. Sigh…Thanks so much for reminding us all!
Again you hit out of the park! Simply, far to many dyslexic Christian men have forgotten that all humankind were all made in the "image & likeness of the Devine, and yet have conspired to make the Devine in the "image & likeness" of themselves...
Brilliant work Walt, thank you! Raising your voice on this topic will help accelerate the collapse of Patriarchy and the rise of an egalitarian worldview. ❤️
Thought provoking as always. I have always felt was gender neutral, like the word "nature." However, Christianity is a patriarchal system. The term , " the Lord's Prayer" and its first line "Our father who art in heaven" describes a religion based upon a male dominance. There is , however the prominence of Christ's mother Mary in the Catholic church. Mary Magdalene and her place in Christ's life and her book was not allowed in the Bible. Female priests and clergy are a relatively new phenomena.
Other religions are not so male dominant and place an equal emphasis on both the feminine and masculine. Native Americans prayed to the mother the earth, the father the sun in sky, to the 4 great directions ,and to the great spirit.
Sorry for the rambling, but thank you again for getting me to think.
I'm a big fan of Meggan Watterson's work. She's an amazing Harvard-trained feminist theologian. Her book "Mary Magdalene Revealed" is excellent. I highly recommend it.
Native American spirituality was my secondary tradition in seminary. I found that so deeply satisfying. A wondrous counterpoint to patriarchy.
Now about the Lord's Prayer, Bob. You know what happens when a pastor starts tinkering with that! :)
So you want me to sacrifice my male privilege on more than one day a year? How dare you! PS: I am on my second read through. Really good reflection for today and everyday Walt. Thanks!
This is wonderful, Walt! I have a coffee mug in my collection that was given to me when I first felt admitted to myself the call to priesthood. It says, “God is not a boy’s name.” It’s ashamed we still need reminders. Sigh…Thanks so much for reminding us all!
You are so welcome, dear Annette. Thank you for reading and for your kind words.
"God is not a boy's name." That's a good mug!
Walt,
Again you hit out of the park! Simply, far to many dyslexic Christian men have forgotten that all humankind were all made in the "image & likeness of the Devine, and yet have conspired to make the Devine in the "image & likeness" of themselves...
Thank you for reading Charles; and for your kind words.
I agree. Too many have forgotten; and way too many never understood it from the beginning.
Grateful for you 🙏
Brilliant work Walt, thank you! Raising your voice on this topic will help accelerate the collapse of Patriarchy and the rise of an egalitarian worldview. ❤️
Thank you for reading, Mark; and for your encouraging words. May it be so.
Thanks, Rev. Walt Hampton! I love every bit of this, which I think of as the hijacking of the religious imagination. Love your clarity.
Thank you for reading, Susan. And for your kind words. Grateful.
I’m so pleased to meet you.
Thought provoking as always. I have always felt was gender neutral, like the word "nature." However, Christianity is a patriarchal system. The term , " the Lord's Prayer" and its first line "Our father who art in heaven" describes a religion based upon a male dominance. There is , however the prominence of Christ's mother Mary in the Catholic church. Mary Magdalene and her place in Christ's life and her book was not allowed in the Bible. Female priests and clergy are a relatively new phenomena.
Other religions are not so male dominant and place an equal emphasis on both the feminine and masculine. Native Americans prayed to the mother the earth, the father the sun in sky, to the 4 great directions ,and to the great spirit.
Sorry for the rambling, but thank you again for getting me to think.
A rambling filled with riches, Bob! Thank you!
I'm a big fan of Meggan Watterson's work. She's an amazing Harvard-trained feminist theologian. Her book "Mary Magdalene Revealed" is excellent. I highly recommend it.
Native American spirituality was my secondary tradition in seminary. I found that so deeply satisfying. A wondrous counterpoint to patriarchy.
Now about the Lord's Prayer, Bob. You know what happens when a pastor starts tinkering with that! :)
So you want me to sacrifice my male privilege on more than one day a year? How dare you! PS: I am on my second read through. Really good reflection for today and everyday Walt. Thanks!
You are so welcome, dear Bob! Thank you for reading. And for sharing!