Why are the gods of most religions MALE? (Buddhism, myth, Islam)

[Kenneth-Kaunda]

most religions tend to have male figures as the main character.

why is this?

it can't just be about subjugation of women surely.

I know the Goddess features more in the Pagan realm but how about the others:

eg: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Asratu (?), Wicca (horned God), Satanism etc...

[Ceist]

Originally Posted by Kenneth-Kaunda

most religions tend to have male figures as the main character.

why is this?

it can't just be about subjugation of women surely.

I know the Goddess features more in the Pagan realm but how about the others:

eg: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Asratu (?), Wicca (horned God), Satanism etc...

Dude, it's because men from patriarchal cultures invented their gods in their own image.

[Kenneth-Kaunda]

why don't women form Gods then?

or don't they need them as much - perhaps we can see gods as male ego extensions?

I know there are many female demi-gods, such as Brigid, Earth Goddess etc, but these seem also to have been invented by men and are often relegated to support status only.

so what kind of higher powers do women use?

men also revere sports teams, political and military leaders amongst other idols.

[Nanny Goat]

Higher powers that women use? Same ones as the male Gods I suppose. Well, probably more powerful because they give life. Wasn't Sophia a top Christian Goddess, early Christianity/Gnostic,but not pagan?

[Bideshi]

The one true God is asexual, but He is addressed as "He" out of respect.

[Ceist]

Originally Posted by Bideshi

The one true God is asexual, but He is addressed as "He" out of respect.

Why wouldn't it be respectful to call your god a 'She'?

[Nanny Goat]

Christian Mary, is a Goddess. Just because they assign her the role she has doesn't mean it's true. She's no less a God than "God." Do you know how many people pray to Mary? Tons and tons, equal or as many as "God," which proves the point that she is as powerful as her male counterparts.

[gabfest]

Originally Posted by Kenneth-Kaunda

most religions tend to have male figures as the main character.

why is this?

it can't just be about subjugation of women surely.

I know the Goddess features more in the Pagan realm but how about the others:

eg: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Asratu (?), Wicca (horned God), Satanism etc...

Life begins in the males and of course males, not females, possess both of the coded chromosomes X & Y.

[Ceist]

The oldest 'religions' had female goddesses...

[Oleg Bach]

The gods of myth are mostly male because the legends began through human exploits...these gods were actually people originally....Violence and power are a consistent theme when it comes to earth gods....These characters were simply physically stronger than females...so they had more success when it came to domination of others and the achievement of demi-godism...

Men could beat their way to godhood...females could not.