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In many polytheistic religions, one or more gods is thought to be a leader and a father of other gods, or of humanity. In comparison to monotheistic religions, a Father God in polytheism is more likely to be attributed with both benevolent and malevolent fatherly qualities. For example, in the Ancient Greek religion, Zeus was a supreme Father God who had a number of patriarchal qualities, yet at the same time had numerous extramarital affairs and a temper.
In two of the three forms of monotheism, Judaism and Christianity, God is called the Father in part because he is thought to take an active interests in human affairs, in the way that a father would take an interest in his children. Thus, many monotheists believe they can communicate with him through prayer, either to praise him or to affect his behavior. They expect that as a Father, he will respond to humanity, his children, acting in our best interests, even punishing those who misbehave like a father punishes his children, to restore those who trust in his love. "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons." (Hebrews 12:8)
Islam, however, does not see God ( Allah) in a fatherhood role. For Muslims, such a relationship with God is condemned by the Quran. "(Both) the Jews and the Christians say, 'We are sons of Allah and His beloved'. Say: why then doth He punish you for your sins? Nay, you are but men of the men He has created". Surah 5:18In the monotheistic Israelite religion, God is called the "Father" with a unique sense of familiarity. God is considered "Father" because he created (and in a sense "fathered") the world. He also stands as the patriarchal law-giver, and the one who through covenant maintains a special father-child relationship with the people, giving them the Shabbat, stewardship of his oracles, and a unique heritage in the things of God, calling Israel "his first-born son". The Jewish God is also attributed the fatherly role of protector: he is called the Father of the poor, of the orphan and the widow, as their protector and guarantor of justice. He is also called the Father of the king, as a teacher and helper over the judge of Israel.
Though the vast majority of monotheists consider the One God to be asexual, God the Father is predominantly ascribed masculine gender roles. He is thought of as dominant (not submissive), powerful (not weak), fatherly (not motherly), dispassionate (not emotional), whose ways are too high for his children to understand. God is generally referred to by the masculine pronoun He.
From the late twentieth century onwards, many Christians and Jews have become uncomfortable with the traditionally male representation of God and have sought to androgenize God by de-emphasising or eliminating gender-specific references to God, as well as his masculine traits. Some of these individuals and groups prefer the expression "God the Creator" in place of "God the Father".
Another approach has been to feminize God by emphasising God's feminine qualities such as submission, motherhood, emotions such as love and empathy, and closeness, or by referring to God as "she" or "God the Mother". (See, e.g., Isaiah 49:15 and places in the Bible where God is referred to by the feminine word Eloah). In some sects of GnosticismGnosticism is a blanket term for various religions and sects most prominent in the first few centuries A. General characteristics Many elements of gnosticism are pre-Christian, and it is generally accepted that orthodox Christianity and its canonical text and MormonismMormonism (also called Latter Day Saint theology or Mormon theology and Latter Day Saint culture or Mormon culture is a religion, ideology, movement, and subculture originating in the early 1800s as a product of the Latter Day Saint movement. The term Mor, God the Father is thought to be physically male and masculine; however, a separate GoddessIn some sects of Mormonism, Heavenly Mother (also called Goddess Mother in Heaven or God the Mother is the wife and feminine counterpart of God the Father. Many sects of Mormonism disavow belief in a goddess. However, the doctrine is accepted semi-officia is postulated who is female and feminine.
See God and genderThis entry contains a discussion of how monotheistic religions deal with God and gender and how modern feminism has influenced the theology of many religions. Monotheists hold a belief in one God as a fundamental religious principle. In Sikhism, Judaism a.
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