I'm an Episcopalian, at least in name — and in fact, I'm very active in my local parish. But that doesn't mean that I approve even of Rite Two. Most Sundays I go crazy, listening to all the institutionalized misogyny. It's not the Church's fault. It's partly the fault of Socrates and Plato, who were afraid of women, but who influenced people's thinking in the first century and are still doing it today. It's partly the fault of St. Paul, who did his best to explain Hebrew theology to converts some of whom could barely speak Greek. It's very largely the fault of such early Christian thinkers as Origen and Tertullian, and VERY largely the fault of "Saint" Augustine, who I hope has lived several lifetimes as a woman since he originally promulgated his crazy mixture of Manicheism and Christianity.
But here we are today, stuck with archaic language and concepts — for example, both the original Hebrew AND the original Greek title Jesus the "Scion of Humanity," and 99.9 people today accept the misogynistic translation "Son of Man."
Following are a few of the ways that I get through an average Sunday without screaming out loud with vexation. If, like me, you believe that Genesis 1:27 and Galatians 3:28 are true scripture, you may find this helpful.
Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You: One Godde and Mother of us all. Amen.
Glory to Godde in the highest
And peace to Godde's people on earth.
Oh Godde, eternal Spirit,
almighty Godde, Creator,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Oh Living Christ, one who works in creation,
O God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of our Maker:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Most High,
Oh Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of Godde the Creator. Amen.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
We believe in one Godde,
the Creator, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one ruler, Christ,
the only Scion of Godde,
eternally conceived of the Creator,
Godde from Godde, Light from Light,
true Godde from true Godde,
conceived, not made,
of one Being with the Creator.
Through Wisdom all things were made.
For us and for our salvation,
Christ came to us from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
Christ became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made human.
For our sake, Jesus was crucified by Pontius Pilate,
suffered death, and was buried.
On the third day, Christ rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
Christ ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Creator.
Christ will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and Godde's Domain will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Creator and the Scion.
With the Creator and the Scion she is worshipped and glorified.
She has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy, universal, and apostolic church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We believe in new life for what now seems dead,
and the life of Godde's Domain. Amen.
. . . for the sake of your Scion, your Christ,
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to Our Godde.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to he Lord our God.
People: It is right to give her thanks and praise.
Our Maker, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Domain come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is inheaven. . . .
For thine is the Domain,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Eternal Godde, heavenly Maker,
you have graciously accepted us as living members
of your Scion our Savior Christ,
and you have fed us with spiritual food
in the Sacrament of Your Body and Blood.
Send us now into the world in peace,
and grant us strength and courage
to love and serve you
with gladness and singleness of heart;
through Christ and the Spirit. Amen.