Male Quote by Patricia Lynn Reilly
““…the exclusive imagining of God as male has deeply wounded women. Our immersion in these images convinced us that we are excluded from the divine, that we are inferior to men, that we are in need of a male savior, and that to name and imagine God in any other way than he has always been known is blasphemy.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Feminist Theology, 2020
Patriarchal depictions of God marginalize women, fostering feelings of inferiority and dependence on male saviors.
In simple terms: Male images of God hurt women.
Key Takeaway
Challenge gendered divine images.
Themes
gender
theology
empowerment
identity
spirituality
Mood
reflective
critical
hopeful
Type
theoretical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- church leadership
- personal prayer
- interfaith dialogue
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
Patriarchal symbolism
divine representation
psychological impact
Questions to Reflect On
- How does divine gender affect self‑worth?
- What alternative images could empower?
A Different Perspective
Some may argue tradition preserves continuity; change can be resisted.
![“God made them male and female’[*] from the beginning of creation. 7 ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife,[*] 8 and the two are united into one.’[*] Since they are no longer two but one, 9 let no one split apart what God has joined together.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f4b/anonymous-1_creation_god-made-them-male-and-female-from-the-b_2394443.jpg)
![“The core symbols we use for God represent what we take to be the highest good…These symbols or images shape our worldview, our ethical system, and our social practice--how we relate to one another. For instance, [Elizabeth A.] Johnson suggests that if a religion speaks about God as warrior, using…” quote by Sue Monk Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8ab/sue-monk-kidd-404_quote_the-core-symbols-we-use-for-god-represen_695324.jpg)
