Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Gender-neutral God

England supposes God doesn't need gendered pronouns after all:

The Church of England will look into the use of gender neutral terms to refer to God in prayers, but the centuries-old institution said on Wednesday there were no plans to abolish current services.

The issue reflects growing global awareness about the assumed usage of pronouns causing offence or upset to those who do not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth.

"Christians have recognised since ancient times that God is neither male nor female," a spokesperson for the Church said. "Yet the variety of ways of addressing and describing God found in scripture has not always been reflected in our worship."

— "Church of England explores gender neutral God," Muvija M, Reuters, 8 Feb 2023

Also:

The Rt Rev Dr Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Lichfield and vice-chair of the liturgical commission responsible for the matter, said the church had been “exploring the use of gendered language in relation to God for several years”.

“After some dialogue between the two commissions in this area, a new joint project on gendered language will begin this spring,” he said. “In common with other potential changes to authorised liturgical provision, changing the wording and number of authorised forms of absolution would require a full synodical process for approval.”

The specifics of the project are as yet unclear.

— "Church of England to consider use of gender-neutral terms for God," PA Media, 7 Feb 2023

The Times (UK) also has an article (paywalled) (7 Feb 2023, by Kaya Burgess)

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