Christianity
Most Christian groups conceive of God as Triune, having the belief that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are distinct persons, but one being that is wholly God.
God the Son (Jesus Christ), having been incarnated as a human man, is clearly masculine. God the "Father" or "Creator" is interpreted as clearly masculine to Biblical literalists. Classical western philosophy believes that God lacks a literal sex because it would be impossible for God to have a body (a prerequisite for sex). However, Classical western philosophy states that God should be referred to (in most contexts) as masculine by analogy. It justifies this by pointing to God's relationship with the world as begetter of the world and revelation (i.e. analogous to an active instead of receptive role in sexual intercourse). Others interpret God as neither male nor female.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church #239 specifically states that "God is neither man nor woman: he is God".
In contrast to most other Christian denominations, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes referred to as the Mormon Church) teaches that God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit are physically distinct while being one in purpose. Latter-day Saints also believe that God the Father is married to a divine woman, referred to as "Heavenly Mother." Humans are considered to be spirit children of these heavenly parents.
Read more about this topic: Gender Of God, Abrahamic Religions
Famous quotes containing the word christianity:
“But, with whatever exception, it is still true that tradition characterizes the preaching of this country; that it comes out of the memory, and not out of the soul; that it aims at what is usual, and not at what is necessary and eternal; that thus historical Christianity destroys the power of preaching, by withdrawing it from the exploration of the moral nature of man; where the sublime is, where are the resources of astonishment and power.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“There is the Christianity of tenderness. But ... it is utterly pushed aside by the Christianity of self-glorification: the self-glorification of the humble.”
—D.H. (David Herbert)
“It is our taste that decides against Christianity now, no longer our reasons.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)