GOD and GENDER

Major religions of the world like Islam, Christianity and Budhism depict God as a Male. Though depiction of God through illustrations is totally prohibited in Islam, the depiction as a Male is by referring as HIM. In some ancient churches of vintage, God is illustrated on ceilings, walls, as a tall, white, bearded wearing robes, etc. Budhism has no taboo and all their temples have small to mamoth statues of Budha. By refering to God as HIM/HE, we cannot help but give a form/shape/image in our minds though some religions expressly prohibit giving form.

Some other civilizations like Greek also had Goddesses. These are not religions.

Hindus are more catholic in that God is worshipped as a Male, Female, Animal and even as Tree. They also worship rain, lightning, stars, planets which may be the case in some other religions/civilizations which are now extinct thanks to that evangelist.

Aethists are still better. They build temples for the living/erect statues of living persons and worship/rever them. We had statues erected for Kamaraja Nadar, Sanjiva Reddy, Karunanidhi and a temple for Khushboo all during thier lifetime. People religiously garland them, light incense,camphor, etc. Mayavati routinely inaugurates her own statue along with Ambedkar's and Kanshiram's which are all worshipped.

Since nobody has seen God (as I believe), I don't know if anyone can logically argue that God is a Male. Is it because we have all along been overwhelmingly patriachial despite some minor communities practicing matriarchial system? Or more plausibly is it a matter of faith not to be questioned or needing proof. Do all women also believe in this?

Anthropologists say that the first human was a female originating in Africa. I dont think that anybody will dispute that human specis pre-date any form of religion. Since there could have been no God without religion, should n't we worship our original ancestor who is a she.

Here I would give an English translation of a Telugu Hymn

Vedantists designated Him as Brahma - Vaishnavites identified Him as Vishnu
To the ardent Saivites He is simply Siva - Mahaveera disciples call Him Jina Devu
To Budhists He is enlightened Gautama - To Logicians He is nothing but "Your Self"
Fatalist Theorists claim He is the Karma - Deists believe, He is the Computer's self.

(Original Telugu Hymn of Annamacharya translated into English by 'Gautama' in his book 'Ancient Vedic Culture')

Post Script: The translation omits the lines refering to the God as Shakti (Female). It also omits the line that God is that as visualised by the worshipper. Accident? Male Chauvanist? It definetely is not for brevity's sake.

...ponder