nerad@closus.DEC (05/07/84)
{ @@@+++``libation''+++@@@ } (She's thirsty)
In the interest of "degenderization" of liturgy, the Unitarian/Universalist
Association (UUA) has produced a small hymnal which is a compilation of
various readings and hymns with all gender-specific references "degendered"
except where appropriate (referring to a specific person,...). This consists
of things like inserting "God" where "He" is in a specific text, and similar
practices. This practice led to two interesting anecdotes:
DEGENDERIZATION WITHOUT THOUGHT I
In a program called something like "Our Unitarian Heritage through Music,"
the Harvard Square (Cambridge, MA) congregation had a compilation of hymns
from the course of history of American UU'ism. One of these hymns, the last
of the service, was a feminist hymn of the late 1800's, written by a woman, to
the Battle Hymn of the Republic. It was a plea for peace and tolerance--which
the author postulated would be brought about if women were given an equal role
in politics. Several generic references in the text used the masculine
pronoun "he." The minister, from the pulpit, proposed that the interest of
the author would be served by "degendrification" of the hymn by substituting
"she" for "he" in all occurrances. This proves, I suppose, that the feminine
pronoun can be assumed to be generic also? (At least by individuals.)
DEGENDERIZATION WITHOUT THOUGHT II
Using word processing style typesetting, some Protestant denomination (not
the UU's, though it is through a UU minister that I heard this--Ed Lane of the
aforementioned Harvard Square Parish) decided to degender their hymnal by
substitution of "God" for "He" and "God's" for "His" in all occurances. This
led to the unfortunate substitution (which was not caught in galleys) of "God"
for "He" referring to Satan in "A Mighty Fortress is our God." One imagines
much redness of the face was experienced.
It is my personal opinion that the fastest way to raise humankind's
consciousness on the subject of gender is to somehow find an intelligent
extraterrestrial race that has either different gender structure, or
enlightened (or absolutely unenlightened--so as to provoke reaction) attitudes
toward gender differences. Change by example within the greater culture is
very slow; as unlikely as I believe the above condition to be filled in the
near future, it is likely faster than the methods in use now. And I'm an
optimist. (only slightly :-)
Shava Nerad
Telematic Systems (@DEC Ed. Svcs.)
{decvax,allegra}!decwrl!rhea!closus!nerad