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Originally Posted by Angela  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! |
Uhh... there is a concept in Sanatana Dharma called "Ardhanarishwara", which basically means all human beings, regardless of gender, express both masculine (Yang) as well as feminine (Yin) attributes. "Masculine" and "Feminine" are merely metaphorical labels for the universal Yin-Yang forces in all of nature. It's not "crap"; you seem to have missed my point
And oh, some of the most revered saints ever who were biologically male were embodiments of the "feminine" virtues I spoke about, including Jesus Christ, the Buddha and Ramakrishna.