God's Sex.

• Shanghai wrote on 2012-01-25 04:36
  Christmas was originally the holiday to celebrate Jesus' birth into the world. During the 1800-1900s, many branches of Christianity(mainly Puritans/Protestants) viewed the holiday widely as a Catholic holiday, which they despised and spiced it up with the gift-giving and the presents and what-not, and other branches of religion added Santa Claus into the mix. This was also to make religion more popular to the public and to promote good morale. After that, it started to become set in stone(sort of) by literature from other Puritans and other branches of Protestants, and it was far more popular than Jesus' birth so everyone started using it as a holiday instead with modifications from all the other branches of Christianity. At least, that's what I recall. Similar thing happened with Easter, and that's why we have the Easter Bunny and Old Saint Nick/Gift-giving. So Christmas can be perceived as many things depending on your beliefs.
  
  As for the main discussion, God is supposedly omnipotent, so he could choose to be any sort of being he wants to be, I guess he preferred the image of a man at the time.
• KimmiBee wrote on 2012-01-25 05:02
  This is really getting off topic XD
  
  its weird that people think that god is "other" not like there is a diffrent sex. I could understand sexless, but stated in the bible god made adam of the image of him, who is a guy (duhh) and adam was loney and made Eve out of his ribs. I believe that god is a male. In the family line theres God to Father to Mother to elder siblings. If god was a girl I think the girl would be in the 2nd of the list not 3rd. Not being sexist but that is how it is pretty much it who came first in the world. God sex doesnt matter hes a spirte he change it if he pleased wouldnt you think so?
• KimmiBee wrote on 2012-01-25 05:29
  This is really getting off topic XD
  
  its weird that people think that god is "other" not like there is a diffrent sex. I could understand sexless, but stated in the bible god made adam of the image of him, who is a guy (duhh) and adam was loney and made Eve out of his ribs. I believe that god is a male. In the family line theres God to Father to Mother to elder siblings. If god was a girl I think the girl would be in the 2nd of the list not 3rd. Not being sexist but that is how it is pretty much it who came first in the world. God sex doesnt matter hes a spirte he change it if he pleased wouldnt you think so?
• Sumpfkraut wrote on 2012-01-25 06:40
  Strictly speaking Yahweh couldn't be either, since being able to be classified as male or female would necessitate that there is a male/female counterpart (that's how sexuality works, its duality is the defining aspect), unless you assume that he is not, in contrast to modern abrahamitic perspective, the only god and may have an other-sexed counterpart.
  
  
  

  Quote from Episkey;746454:

  Of course, I should mention that there are many reputable women described in the Bible. I never fully understood the whole the "Bible is sexist" viewpoint, personally.

  
  It's Paul's letters, as far as I am aware.
• Chihaya wrote on 2012-01-25 07:40
  Wow... In the ~24 hours I was away from its thread, there has been many arguments.
  
  Warning. Wall of text.
  
  First, I'd like to give my two cents to the people who are openly denying the existence of "God":
  Okay. That is your faith, you live it. I'm not going to preach you about it at all. But why come onto this thread in the first place and spill out all your atheist opinions and arguments? So you can piss off the people who are actually very faithful in their faith? If so, you should simply leave. You're only making yourself the fool.
  
  Second, the thing with gender. As you know, sexism is undeniable; it was present even in the 1900s, and even in the 21st century (in some places). It was God's Will that males dominate over females in a fair manner, and the females submit themselves to the males. In either case, the guys who treat their girls like crap and the girls who talk back to guys are both wrong. This thought has been carried all the way over to the Feminist Movements. (Possibly earlier, but it wasn't as big of a deal). Technically, it's the male's fault that the females rebelled, because males did not treat the females properly. (I'm a male myself, so don't get the wrong idea)
  
  Third, about "Forgiveness". I'm telling you that it's all about the mindset. Two people can commit the same sin and say the same words with the same tears, same thought, and the same repentance. It's all about what he does afterwards.
  
  Let's take a very common example.
  Student A and B both did not study for an Exam. The day before exam, the two frantically look through their half-finished notes and textbook.
  The next day, the two obviously receive low scores. They go talk with the professor, and the professor makes them promise they will never make the same mistake again, and allows a retest. Both students are grateful, and vow to themselves that they will not make the same mistake.
  Student A is overcome with temptations such as partying, Facebook, and peer pressure. However, he remembers the promise with the professor and resists all the temptations
  Student B, however, as he was let off the hook once, believes that it'll be okay (for whatever reason), and falls for the temptations.
  
  This example is exactly like God's Forgiveness, where God will forgive almost all sins (note that in the Bible, one sin that cannot be forgiven is the purposeful "trash-talking" about God), with the promise that humans will not commit the same sins again.
  However, we are humans. We are not created perfect, and God knows that as we make that promise, we will sin again. God, however, wants us to come to him each time, and repent. So with each and every time, the guilt that we build up can be far greater than the temptation that will come again.
  
  Fourth, About those ministers.
  It is strictly mentioned in the Bible that people of Christianity is obligated to attempt to bring God's children back to him. However, if the opponent is unwilling to listen (for whatever reason), the Christian is instructed instead to pray for him, instead of annoyingly follow him around. God has promised judgement on such people, and it's completely your choice of what you do.
  
  I'm pretty sure I didn't cover everything, but I really hope I cleared up some confusion and chaos within the thread. Seriously, we're here to discuss a simple curiosity, and because of some people's beliefs (myself included), this needs to become a fight over religious belief...
• Milk wrote on 2012-01-25 07:44
  It all depends on you're Religion.
• Chiyuri wrote on 2012-01-25 08:42
  That was the most sad purple colored post I have ever read, outside of gaia online.
• Hannah's Lover wrote on 2012-01-25 08:45

  Quote from Chihaya;748081:

  Wow... In the ~24 hours I was away from its thread, there has been many arguments.
  
  Warning. Wall of text.
  
  First, I'd like to give my two cents to the people who are openly denying the existence of "God":
  Okay. That is your faith, you live it. I'm not going to preach you about it at all. But why come onto this thread in the first place and spill out all your atheist opinions and arguments? So you can piss off the people who are actually very faithful in their faith? If so, you should simply leave. You're only making yourself the fool.
  
  Second, the thing with gender. As you know, sexism is undeniable; it was present even in the 1900s, and even in the 21st century (in some places). It was God's Will that males dominate over females in a fair manner, and the females submit themselves to the males. In either case, the guys who treat their girls like crap and the girls who talk back to guys are both wrong. This thought has been carried all the way over to the Feminist Movements. (Possibly earlier, but it wasn't as big of a deal). Technically, it's the male's fault that the females rebelled, because males did not treat the females properly. (I'm a male myself, so don't get the wrong idea)
  
  Third, about "Forgiveness". I'm telling you that it's all about the mindset. Two people can commit the same sin and say the same words with the same tears, same thought, and the same repentance. It's all about what he does afterwards.
  
  Let's take a very common example.
  Student A and B both did not study for an Exam. The day before exam, the two frantically look through their half-finished notes and textbook.
  The next day, the two obviously receive low scores. They go talk with the professor, and the professor makes them promise they will never make the same mistake again, and allows a retest. Both students are grateful, and vow to themselves that they will not make the same mistake.
  Student A is overcome with temptations such as partying, Facebook, and peer pressure. However, he remembers the promise with the professor and resists all the temptations
  Student B, however, as he was let off the hook once, believes that it'll be okay (for whatever reason), and falls for the temptations.
  
  This example is exactly like God's Forgiveness, where God will forgive almost all sins (note that in the Bible, one sin that cannot be forgiven is the purposeful "trash-talking" about God), with the promise that humans will not commit the same sins again.
  However, we are humans. We are not created perfect, and God knows that as we make that promise, we will sin again. God, however, wants us to come to him each time, and repent. So with each and every time, the guilt that we build up can be far greater than the temptation that will come again.
  
  Fourth, About those ministers.
  It is strictly mentioned in the Bible that people of Christianity is obligated to attempt to bring God's children back to him. However, if the opponent is unwilling to listen (for whatever reason), the Christian is instructed instead to pray for him, instead of annoyingly follow him around. God has promised judgement on such people, and it's completely your choice of what you do.
  
  I'm pretty sure I didn't cover everything, but I really hope I cleared up some confusion and chaos within the thread. Seriously, we're here to discuss a simple curiosity, and because of some people's beliefs (myself included), this needs to become a fight over religious belief...

  
  
  Words cannot describe my appreciation of this post.
  
  

  Quote from KimmiBee;747756:

  This is really getting off topic XD
  
  its weird that people think that god is "other" not like there is a diffrent sex. I could understand sexless, but stated in the bible god made adam of the image of him, who is a guy (duhh) and adam was loney and made Eve out of his ribs. I believe that god is a male. In the family line theres God to Father to Mother to elder siblings. If god was a girl I think the girl would be in the 2nd of the list not 3rd. Not being sexist but that is how it is pretty much it who came first in the world. God sex doesnt matter hes a spirte he change it if he pleased wouldnt you think so?

  
  Well, some people believe in multiple gods (like Greek gods, for example)
  Which were both male and female
• Kollin wrote on 2012-01-25 09:01

  Quote from Chiyuri;748187:

  That was the most sad purple colored post I have ever read, outside of gaia online.

  
  
  Wasn't particularly convincing either.
• Ninjam wrote on 2012-01-25 09:13
  Watching the movie Dogma at my Gfs house made me question this as well. Plus, in the movie [SPOILER="Spoiler"]Not only is god female, but is epic. I didnt know god talking to you would instantly kill you. It looked so cool. Plus it was a great movie.[/SPOILER]
• Mello wrote on 2012-01-25 09:14
  I don't believe in god, if I did, itwould be a sexless wisp.
• Milk wrote on 2012-01-25 09:20

  Quote from Kollin;748226:

  Wasn't particularly convincing either.

  
  
  Thats abit rude. I don't think he was trying to convince you to do anything. Unless I skipped over something. He simply just stated a couple of things about the bible and asked the people who don't believe in god to stop disrespecting thouse who do.
• Hannah's Lover wrote on 2012-01-25 09:47

  Quote from Kollin;748226:

  Wasn't particularly convincing either.

  
  
  Kollin, you're starting lose some of my respect for you.
  She wasn't trying to convince you of anything, she was explaining other's view points.
  
  That was very rude.
  
  You come in here knowing this is a religious thread, and bash us. :/
• Kollin wrote on 2012-01-25 09:51

  Quote from Hannah's Lover;748291:

  Kollin, you're starting lose some of my respect for you.
  She wasn't trying to convince you of anything, she was explaining other's view points.
  
  That was very rude.
  
  You come in here knowing this is a religious thread, and bash us. :/

  
  
  Forgive me, it has become a bad habit.
• Hannah's Lover wrote on 2012-01-25 09:57

  Quote from Kollin;748296:

  Forgive me, it has become a bad habit.

  
  
  Forgiven. Wasn't even made though, just a bit shocked.