Three cheers for the Church of Sweden or is it too little to slow

[Fidoandacupoftea]

I am in two minds with the Church of Sweden's decision to restricting the use of gendered language.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/11/24/church-sweden-stop-clergy-calling-god-lord-bid-crack-gendered/amp/

On one hand happy that things are moving in the right direction, equally frustrated that this is big news in 2017.

But if they believe that God is male, then why shouldn't they call him Lord? Just as if someone believed in Gaia or another female deity, wouldn't she be called she?

I don' think this is gendered language, but an extension of (perceived) sex, so he/male pronouns seems quite right doesn't it? Even considering the trans issues, women still want to be called 'she' don't we?

It is the belief that the God is obviously male that gets me.. not wishing to offend any Christians however.

Reading this again, I think it still sounds very confused and is weighting gender more greatly than sex - they should be saying that God is neither male nor female, (as in male cat or female cat, not using gender language.

And anyway, it doesn't make any sense if viewed alongside the Christian belief "that God made us in his image" as is so often heard. I am no expert on Christianity, but is sounds like they are proposing an entirely new religion to me.

I’m a Christian feminist and I would love to see the back of sexist language in the church - eg. Using ‘men’ when meaning men AND women.

But I would be cautious about restricting the use of ‘he’ when referring to God. That would be seen by a lot of people as a huge statement and I don’t think the church is ready for that.