The use of gender neutral language whilst referring to God is being promoted at two of America’s top divinity schools, it was reported in January.
Students at the Divinity School of Duke University have been given ‘inclusive language’ guidelines which advise the use of ‘God’ and ‘Godself’ instead of he and him. The guidelines state that ‘the exclusive use of either masculine or feminine pronouns for God should be avoided.’
Professors are also encouraged to use gender-neutral metaphors to refer to God. For example, they could say: ‘God is the father who welcomes his son, but she is also the woman searching for the lost coin.’ ‘Imagination, patience and diligence are required in order to use language that expands and enriches our understanding of God’, guidelines suggest.
