REMOVE THE WORDS Mother and Father

Very soon France may ban the use of the words MOTHER and FATHER from all government documents. The idea is to remove all gender-specific language from the nation’s civil code. In the case of MOTHER and FATHER, the words will be replaced with PARENTS.

The language change is an inevitable move for countries that approve homosexual unions. Homosexuals feel excluded because the words MOTHER and FATHER refer to the irrevocable biological origins of every human being. A more all-inclusive word like PARENT is preferred.

Following its approval of same-sex marriage in 2005, Spain had to deal with the gender-neutral language. The Spanish government announced a ministerial order that new births would have to be registered at the State Civil Registries under the headings of Parent (progenitor) A, and Parent (progenitor) B. In other words, the terms FATHER and MOTHER were no longer to be used.

The timing of these changes in France coincides with that nation’s desire to redefine marriage – a law goes before the French cabinet on October 31. President Francois Hollande has vowed to approve the law.

France is following decisions taken in Canada since 2005 when the Ontario government approved gender neutral language. No longer can a married couple be referred to as “husband and wife” or “man and woman”. The terms “widow” and “widower” have also been struck from government statutes. Gender neutral terms like spouses and partners are preferred when referring to married couples.

With the legalization of same-sex marriage here in the United States, gender neutral language will also become necessary. In some circles, terms like fathering and mothering have been replaced with fostering and nurturing. The general idea is to make gender distinctions indistinguishable.

Apart from facilitating gender-neutral language, some in our society are eager to neutralize gender roles and sexual distinctions. Some would want us to believe that gender distinctions are preferential choices rather than some innate disposition.

In response to such thinking, Christians would need to formulate a biblical understanding of maleness and femaleness. For instance, what does the Bible mean when it says of the Creator – “male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27)?

The statement appears on the sixth day of creation and was used only in reference to human beings. The uniqueness of the term would seem to suggest that the mention of gender distinctions within our species should not be taken lightly.

Interestingly, the expression “male and female” appears in the context of “being made in the image of God.” Scholars are still grappling with what it really means to be made in the image of God. Among the views advanced, some scholars believe the plurality in gender may be related to the plurality in the term “let US make man…” Whatever the outcome of the discussion among scholars, it is obvious that a biblical understanding of gender distinctions should not be trivialized.

Throughout Scripture the concept of one flesh in marriage is very strong. Separate and apart from the procreative and pleasure derived from sex within marriage, there is the fusion of two genders that bring about “one flesh”. In other words, sex between the genders was intended for pleasure, procreation and permanence (one flesh). Hence, any sexual union that is unable to realize these outcomes is inimical to a biblical understanding of sex.

Logically, the strength of “one flesh” can only be stressed in the context of two different genders - the more noticeable the distinction of the genders, the richer the understanding of the “one flesh”. Using the same principle of noticeable distinction, Paul explains the richness of becoming one in Christ.

In his letter to the Galatians Paul uses contrasting terms to make his point – unity in Christ transcends ethnic, social and sexual distinctions - “there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female” (Galatians 3:28).

I find it rather interesting that many of the contexts in which gender-neutral language is preferred and promoted, sexuality is the subject being discussed. France is at the verge of legalizing same-sex marriage. Whereas Spain and Canada have already legalized same-sex marriage, a few States in the United States have joined them. 

In Romans 1:18-32, Paul outlines the consequences of disregarding the natural and divine order intended between the genders. I would strongly recommend that you read this passage at your earliest convenience.