Sorry, I'm not buying it. To assign qualities to the feminine or masculine aspect of "the divine" only propogates the tendency of religion to subjugate women, and to shame men out of some very desirable values. How prevalent in religion and in society is the teaching that real women should have sweetness and humility and how often has that had the effect of disempowering women in very real ways? How long have boys been taught that sweetness, compassion and humility are 'girly', and their very manhood is in danger if they adopt them? If I were a man, I would be insulted by this line of devotion.
I say -- Fie on any spirituality that subscribes varying treatment depending on gender! Ptooey on some qualities being masculine and others feminine! Keep what helps you grow, and spit the other crap out!
Tabs -- your remark "I can't afford to lose faith" was intriguing. You said that you gained clarity from your experiences, but it sounds like some part of having faith & then losing it cost you dearly, and you're afraid of having to pay again. What exactly did you lose by going through that?
Love,
Angela
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