Directed to those of faith: Would it be blasphemous to pray to a Heavenly Mother?

Old Salt said:
I've always wondered! After all God is Spirit, therefore neither He nor She. I would take great comfort if I could pray to a Heavenly Mother!
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I can see you directed this to those of faith. I’m not of faith, but I recognise that we all need comfort in our lives at times. And we shouldn’t deny anyone of that. If there is a god, and you felt you personally wanted or needed a ‘Heavenly Mother’ in your heart and to pray to, I don’t think a loving god would deny you that either.

Go with what’s in your heart, if that’s ok and appropriate with you. Just my thoughts.
 

Old Salt said:
Since I played Freud and brought up my childhood this is directed (hopefully) at any atheist that might look in from idle curiosity. How many of you had an abusive father? Could that have led to your reluctance to acknowledge that things unseen, like a Father God, might possibly exist?
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Well, some might call me an atheist, but am I looking in from idle curiosity? I would say no.

You ask, did I have an abusive father? Hmmm...?... Some would consider him abusive as a father. Some, who might not know him that well, might consider him to be a very abusive father. I, with love in my heart, considered him when he was alive to be misguided at times.

Am I really an atheist, if pushed strongly I would say yes. In reality? On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being a complete atheist (whatever that is :) ) I would say I'm a 9. Could I be a 9.5, I wonder? Maybe it's something I'm still trying to understand of myself?

You ask if an abusive father could have led to my reluctance of things unseen? No, my reluctance is far more complex than that. I might have to write a small book just for myself to help me to unravel that one.
 
OneEyedDiva said:
For those of us who were taught that God is a masculine, supreme being, then yes...it would be blasphemous. But there are those who's beliefs do honor the feminine entities. For Wiccans, one of their important deities is The Triple Goddess.
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I thought I would take one more look before going to bed! My apologies, OED. I should have made the title, to those of the Christian Faith! I do realize, knowing a bit about Islamic culture and beliefs, that the idea of a female God would be quite offensive to you! If I should ever return to the subject I will make clear whom I am addressing! Friends?
 

Magna-Carta said:
Well, some might call me an atheist, but am I looking in from idle curiosity? I would say no.

You ask, did I have an abusive father? Hmmm...?... Some would consider him abusive as a father. Some, who might not know him that well, might consider him to be a very abusive father. I, with love in my heart, considered him when he was alive to be misguided at times.

Am I really an atheist, if pushed strongly I would say yes. In reality? On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being a complete atheist (whatever that is) I would say I'm a 9. Could I be a 9.5, I wonder? Maybe it's something I'm still trying to understand of myself?

You ask if an abusive father could have led to my reluctance to of things unseen? No, my reluctance is far more complex than that. I might have to write a small book just for myself to help me to unravel that one.
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Thanks for an answer, MC! It was a bit naive of me to assume abusive father equals atheist, for some only I should hasten to add! Once again, rather than being guided by fact, I was going by my own feelings.

Because of my mother (I wonder what Freud would have to say about this) I always had more trust in love and protection coming from a female and a female God would have suited the bill just fine! That's what we called in theology anthropomorphizing! And I was guilty of that, but am still tempted to pray to a Heavenly Mother!
 
Old Salt said:
I thought I would take one more look before going to bed! My apologies, OED. I should have made the title, to those of the Christian Faith! I do realize, knowing a bit about Islamic culture and beliefs, that the idea of a female God would be quite offensive to you! If I should ever return to the subject I will make clear whom I am addressing! Friends?
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I don't think it matters OS. I was a Christian for more than half of my life. Some Christians (seem to) worship Jesus, but my church, which was an AMEZ (Methodist) church, focused worship on God the Creator and the reference was He and Him. So those of us who were taught that God (Allah, Arabic for God) is male wouldn't deviate from that, at least not while maintaining our faith.
 
Old Salt said:
Thanks for an answer, MC! It was a bit naive of me to assume abusive father equals atheist, for some only I should hasten to add! Once again, rather than being guided by fact, I was going by my own feelings.
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Going on one's feelings is fine by me, initially at least. Isn't that where everything starts, with feelings, whether they are true to reality or not? Where we go from there might be something different.

Old Salt said:
Because of my mother (I wonder what Freud would have to say about this) I always had more trust in love and protection coming from a female
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Funny you should say that, kind of, as a child at least.

Old Salt said:
and a female God would have suited the bill just fine! That's what we called in theology anthropomorphizing! And I was guilty of that, but am still tempted to pray to a Heavenly Mother!
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I would say put your feeling of 'temptation' to one side, so it doesn't or can't be referenced to, it might just get in the way. I would say just go for it. You just might discover something wonderful
 
OneEyedDiva said:
I don't think it matters OS. I was a Christian for more than half of my life. Some Christians (seem to) worship Jesus, but my church, which was an AMEZ (Methodist) church, focused worship on God the Creator and the reference was He and Him. So those of us who were taught that God (Allah, Arabic for God) is male wouldn't deviate from that, at least not while maintaining our faith.
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I think an overwhelming number of Christians wouldn't agree with me either, OED, (as you state!) Most of them are probably horrified that I even brought up the subject. It always has been God the Father in all branches of the Christian faith and to even think God the Mother is close to blasphemous to most and they probably turn away from the subject in shock!

As I wrote in previous posts, in other threads, to me God has always been Spirit, not a man, and I took it from there, it gave me the liberty to indulge in a bit of wishful thinking.

Again, apologies to you and to my fellow Christians (if they can accept me as one) for managing to offend most of you! I do get carried away in my love of discussion!
 
Magna-Carta said:
Funny you should say that, kind of, as a child at least.
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That was in reference to my trust in love and protection by a female. I wrote earlier that my father was killed during WWII and my mother was left alone to bring us up! It was her strength and self sacrifice that got us through the toughest time! We didn't appreciate it at the time but obviously it left its mark on us!
 
Old Salt said:
That was in reference to my trust in love and protection by a female. I wrote earlier that my father was killed during WWII and my mother was left alone to bring us up! It was her strength and self sacrifice that got us through the toughest time! We didn't appreciate it at the time but obviously it left its mark on us!
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:) I previously read that post of yours too Old Salt. It would seem rude not to, and I think it was that post that kept me here.

You know, there are always exceptions, in everything it seems. But generally speaking I see females as you see them. Generally, but significantly more so when I was a child. Also in my teens and in my 20’s I had far more respect of all kinds for women than I did for men. In my mind during that time I saw men as second class citazens. Bering in mind that’s how I saw it in MY mind at that time.

In my 30’s I saw all people more as individuals and with no generalisation. Individuals of all types capable of good and bad. I’m now in my mid 50’s, and I see women as pipping the post again, but again in general terms. As mentioned there will always be exceptions. Some women here have told me of those exceptions.

I’m not saying any of this to take anything away from what’s in your heart. You do whats best for you. You and maybe the people around you will be the beneficiaries of that In some ways. There is a heavenly mother waiting for you. I don’t think she will come straight to you, only you can let her in.
 
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palides2021 said:
Blasphemy means to "slander" or to "injure." It does not mean that praying to anyone other than God would be lacking respect for Him.
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Your post was directed to me way back on page one, sorry for the delay.
I respectfully disagree according to my faith. God created us all with choice and my choice differs. My faith places God above "anyone other than God" because God wants to be our ONLY Father. We are His children. We can only be created by ONE father. He wants us to lean on Him and is not pleased when we lean on "anyone other than Him".
 
Magna-Carta said:
:) I previously read that post of yours too Old Salt. It would seem rude not to, and I think it was that post that kept me here.

You know, there are always exceptions, in everything it seems. But generally speaking I see females as you see them. Generally, but significantly more so when I was a child. Also in my teens and in my 20’s I had far more respect of all kinds for women than I did for men. In my mind during that time I saw men as second class citazens. Bering in mind that’s how I saw it in MY mind at that time.

In my 30’s I saw all people more as individuals and with no generalisation. Individuals of all types capable of good and bad. I’m now in my mid 50’s, and I see women as pipping the post again, but again in general terms. As mentioned there will always be exceptions. Some women here have told me of those exceptions.

I’m not saying any of this to take anything away from what’s in your heart. You do whats best for you. You and maybe the people around you will be the beneficiaries of that In some ways. There is a heavenly mother waiting for you. I don’t think she will come straight to you, only you can let her in.
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What an insightful and kind post, M.C. Thank you!
 
See or imagine God as you wish, in private, but go with
the flow, in public, or you will be ridiculed.

Mike.
 
Mike said:
See or imagine God as you wish, in private, but go with
the flow, in public, or you will be ridiculed.

Mike.
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Good advice, Mike. Just to clarify, during 23 years as a pastor I was not only orthodox but sincere about it! This is speculation on my part NOW when I have enough time to ponder what if? And I am 87, old enough to say I am sorry for hurting anyone's sensibilities but too old to fear ridicule!
 
Old Salt said:
Thanks for your honesty @Been There I appreciate your input. I needed reactions from more orthodox souls!
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I am giving you the answer as the church would would. Mary has no attributes of hearing you. Jesus is the only one that forgives us our sins and as we all know, we all must go through Jesus to get to the Father.

It is with acceptance that we say, "Hail Mother full of Grace." This is acceptable in the Catholic church and many protestant churches as well. Prayer and worship are two different things within the church.
 
Been There said:
I am giving you the answer as the church would would. Mary has no attributes of hearing you. Jesus is the only one that forgives us our sins and as we all know, we all must go through Jesus to get to the Father.

It is with acceptance that we say, "Hail Mother full of Grace." This is acceptable in the Catholic church and many protestant churches as well. Prayer and worship are two different things within the church.
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This is exactly what I always preached and believed, BT!
The only difference now is that my view of who is the Body of Christ has expanded to include all the various branches I excluded as a younger man! And I most fervently believe that God would not condemn me for doing a bit of looking at possibilities even if I'm way off base!
 
As a member of the catholic faith I too ask saints to intercede on my behalf and I too ask the virgin mary for help. It is a great comfort to me. I do find they help quite a bit.I also pray to our father too.It is just part of our lives to do so if your catholic .I love the calmness in my catholic faith.
 
Old Salt said:

Directed to those of faith: Would it be blasphemous to pray to a Heavenly Mother?​

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As a non-believer I can't see a problem with it. If there really is a God I suspect she/he is probably gender neutral.

Many Mormons believe they can become gods themselves on day, with their own planets to run... only the men... This is controversial, not official Church doctrine however the idea has been supported by many of the Church prophets and higher ups. Most of those reading this will not likely be given the opportunity, which may be just as well. I have enough trouble running my own life, a whole world isn't something I am ready to take on.


CAN WE BECOME GODS SOMEDAY?
https://godlovesmormons.com/can-we-become-gods-someday/
 
Fail to see how Mormons are Christian. Nonsensical cult, IMO. Of course some might say it's all nonsensical cults, but I have a sense of history and the Mormons made up their own. Blasphemy!
 
Lara said:
"IF" in his second sentence is what's stopping him. The Bible doesn't support it to my knowledge. Even Mary didn't want that.
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Yes, I agree. Pardon me, it was my first post of the morning and the caffeine didn't kick in yet. I was being too nonchalant and Old Salt is a minister.
 

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