I'm talking popular interpretations here (thus HIS, HE, HIM). Truth be told even The Bible says God is a spirit (John 4:24) and neither male nor female, but people often think of and depict him as male.
I'm talking popular interpretations here (thus HIS, HE, HIM). Truth be told even The Bible says God is a spirit (John 4:24) and neither male nor female, but people often think of and depict him as male.
Then why are all the pronouns referencing such masculine?
Because in Arabic when the gender is unclear Arabs prefer using he instead of she. (That is when referring to living things though) let me give you an example: To refer to a group of women Arabs use "انتن". To refer to a group of men Arabs use "انتم". So which one should they use when referring to a group that is 50 percent male and 50 percent female? They use "انتم". In fact some even say if the whole group consists of women and there's only one man among them you still should use "انتم" instead of "انتن".
Then why are all the pronouns referencing such masculine?
Because we don't know his true identity. If God is a being that transcends our understandings and intelligence or if that's how we perceive him then doesn't it make more sense to not give a darn about God's gender? He might be a being that transcends gender. Now, one asshat will come and say that God is a gay. Come on man, gay is a gender too. Albeit, artificial.
Because we don't know his true identity. If God is a being that transcends our understandings and intelligence or if that's how we perceive him then doesn't it make more sense to not give a darn about God's gender? He might be a being that transcends gender. Now, one asshat will come and say that God is a gay. Come on man, gay is a gender too. Albeit, artificial.
@alim298 said:
Because in Arabic when the gender is unclear Arabs prefer using he instead of she. (That is when referring to living things though) let me give you an example: To refer to a group of women Arabs use "انتن". To refer to a group of men Arabs use "انتم". So which one should they use when referring to a group that is 50 percent male and 50 percent female? They use "انتم". In fact some even say if the whole group consists of women and there's only one man among them you still should use "انتم" instead of "انتن".
Then why not forgo pronouns when referencing God altogether? It would seem to be less confusing that way.
Because we don't know his true identity. If God is a being that transcends our understandings and intelligence or if that's how we perceive him then doesn't it make more sense to not give a darn about God's gender? He might be a being that transcends gender. Now, one asshat will come and say that God is a gay. Come on man, gay is a gender too. Albeit, artificial.
@alim298 said:
Because in Arabic when the gender is unclear Arabs prefer using he instead of she. (That is when referring to living things though) let me give you an example: To refer to a group of women Arabs use "انتن". To refer to a group of men Arabs use "انتم". So which one should they use when referring to a group that is 50 percent male and 50 percent female? They use "انتم". In fact some even say if the whole group consists of women and there's only one man among them you still should use "انتم" instead of "انتن".
Then why not forgo pronouns when referencing God altogether? It would seem to be less confusing that way.
It isn't confusing to begin with. Exempting pronouns altogether will be more confusing and hard to read.
Because we don't know his true identity. If God is a being that transcends our understandings and intelligence or if that's how we perceive him then doesn't it make more sense to not give a darn about God's gender? He might be a being that transcends gender. Now, one asshat will come and say that God is a gay. Come on man, gay is a gender too. Albeit, artificial.
@alim298 said:
Because in Arabic when the gender is unclear Arabs prefer using he instead of she. (That is when referring to living things though) let me give you an example: To refer to a group of women Arabs use "انتن". To refer to a group of men Arabs use "انتم". So which one should they use when referring to a group that is 50 percent male and 50 percent female? They use "انتم". In fact some even say if the whole group consists of women and there's only one man among them you still should use "انتم" instead of "انتن".
Then why not forgo pronouns when referencing God altogether? It would seem to be less confusing that way.
Because you can't. In English you say "I went to school" "he went to school" "she went to school". In Arabic "went" has different forms depending on who went.
But seriously dude, do you realize that this thread is about as novel as starting a new thread specifically to make a "why did the chicken cross the road" joke? I'm just saying...if you're gonna start a whole new thread just to make a joke, it'd be better if you put at least a little bit of effort into it. Surely you can take the concept behind the joke and rework it into something that at least seems a little bit fresh.
But seriously dude, do you realize that this thread is about as novel as starting a new thread specifically to make a "why did the chicken cross the road" joke? I'm just saying...if you're gonna start a whole new thread just to make a joke, it'd be better if you put at least a little bit of effort into it. Surely you can take the concept behind the joke and rework it into something that at least seems a little bit fresh.
This is OT, not a dissertation. I've never, ever, ever come to OT for 'teh serious'.
But seriously dude, do you realize that this thread is about as novel as starting a new thread specifically to make a "why did the chicken cross the road" joke? I'm just saying...if you're gonna start a whole new thread just to make a joke, it'd be better if you put at least a little bit of effort into it. Surely you can take the concept behind the joke and rework it into something that at least seems a little bit fresh.
That's called 'pro trolling'. Apparently, TC is still a noob at trolling. He needs some training.
But seriously dude, do you realize that this thread is about as novel as starting a new thread specifically to make a "why did the chicken cross the road" joke? I'm just saying...if you're gonna start a whole new thread just to make a joke, it'd be better if you put at least a little bit of effort into it. Surely you can take the concept behind the joke and rework it into something that at least seems a little bit fresh.
This is OT, not a dissertation. I've never, ever, ever come to OT for 'teh serious'.
That's called 'pro trolling'. Apparently, TC is still a noob at trolling. He needs some training.
Not trolling, this topic actually came up elsewhere and I thought I'd get some laughable responses. I forgot early AM OT is full of the malaise type.
Well, if you make a topic that certainly goes against people of some ethnicity, you should anticipate these kinds of responses. Unless you're 120% sure that all the people on that forum are fedora tipping atheists.
Well, if you make a topic that certainly goes against people of some ethnicity, you should anticipate these kinds of responses. Unless you're 120% sure that all the people on that forum are fedora tipping atheists.
Or people can stop being so damned sensitive. If you can't take a jab to the ribs you really shouldn't be on OT. I mean, we have a reputation to uphold here, and great posters who are long-gone to live up to.
Well, if you make a topic that certainly goes against people of some ethnicity, you should anticipate these kinds of responses. Unless you're 120% sure that all the people on that forum are fedora tipping atheists.
Or people can stop being so damned sensitive. If you can't take a jab to the ribs you really shouldn't be on OT. I mean, we have a reputation to uphold here, and great posters who are long-gone to live up to.
It's not called being sensitive. It's not called anything. If you offend someone with something he holds dear, he's bound to attack back. See? common logic. Those great posters of yours are people like you. Not like us. You can say, this is our weakness. We're susceptible.
It's not called being sensitive. It's not called anything. If you offend someone with something he holds dear, he's bound to attack back. See? common logic. Those great posters of yours are people like you. Not like us. You can say, this is our weakness. We're susceptible.
You don't have a right against being offended. Giving offense has long been part of comedy and satire, or were you not aware of that?
I guess shows like South Park really get your goat, hunh?
It's not called being sensitive. It's not called anything. If you offend someone with something he holds dear, he's bound to attack back. See? common logic. Those great posters of yours are people like you. Not like us. You can say, this is our weakness. We're susceptible.
You don't have a right against being offended. Giving offense has long been part of comedy and satire, or were you not aware of that?
I guess shows like South Park really get your goat, hunh?
Then you should've chosen a less sensitive topic boy, we are just sensitive. Got it?
When you have uptight hotheads and angst whippersnappers populating the forums I can see the amusement.
Buddy, you have no idea. :-D
You should see me trolling the local forums what with all the FUN-da-MENTAL Xtians around these parts. I swear I've caused a rage-induced heart attack or two.
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