Home » Poems » Gershon Wolf » 'amen' Is 'sexist,' He's Decided

Notes About The Poem

Today, U.S. Congressman, Mr. Emanuel Cleaver, gave the invocation for the new session of the House of Representatives. He ended his prayer with Amen and 'A-women,' a word that he believed to be Amen's opposite...

'amen' Is 'sexist,' He's Decided

Mr. Emmanuel Cleaver has an old Testament name
It means 'God is with us;' of that he's not ashamed

   But 'Amen' is sexist, or so he's decided
   On that, Mr. Cleaver is sorely misguided




_________________________________________   
'Emmanuel' is a name derived from the Hebrew
words 'El,' God, and 'Imanu,' with us.

'Amen' is a Hebrew word meaning 'belief.'  It has 
nothing to do with men or women whatsoever.

genderprayerwordsclerihew

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Reason A. Poteet

January 11, 2021 at 4:03 AM

I was hoping Emmanuel Cleaver was just being "funny," putting a much-needed finishing touch on the absurd policy of no gender references allowed. Well-written, Mr. Wolf.

Gershon Wolf

January 11, 2021 at 5:33 PM

The saddest part of this is that Mr. Cleaver was dead serious about 'Amen and Awoman.' Oy, vey'z'mir! -- as they say in Paris. (It's Yiddish for 'Woe is me!). Thanks for the visit and the comment, Reason. Happiness and Joy, Gershon

Caren Krutsinger

January 6, 2021 at 7:16 AM

People are so silly about silly things! This was one of them!

Ilene Bauer

January 5, 2021 at 12:13 PM

nicely said, gershon! this reminds me of when my son was a freshman in college and, at parents' weekend, we got a schedule for all the "freshperson" events! you can't make this stuff up...

Gershon Wolf

January 5, 2021 at 3:31 PM

You're right, ilene! You just can't make this stuff up... btw, Do you think that Kamala Harris' husband will do any of the meal preparation or interior decorating in the White House?! lol. Sure! :) gw

Rico Leffanta

January 5, 2021 at 11:24 AM

So El Cid secretly heads Bojo's CID? Why can't Eve turn over a new leaf when she wants to? Aloha! Rico

Robert L. Hinshaw

January 5, 2021 at 10:39 AM

Another nut running our country, Gershon! Another interpretation of amen is "so be it". Lord, help us - what will we hear next from our so-called leaders! Bob

Gershon Wolf

January 5, 2021 at 3:22 PM

Talk about 'nuts.' This guy is one more nutcase in a whole bowl of them. Thanks, Bob! ~ Gershon

Sara Kendrick

January 5, 2021 at 7:22 AM

I always believed that amen meant in agreement with. We can't hold onto the world and be a separate people. To be politically correct we have to lay down our beliefs and principles. Enjoyed reading your work. Your comments on my works are uplifting. Sara

Gershon Wolf

January 5, 2021 at 7:59 AM

Well the connotation of 'amen' can be 'in agreement with this truth.' So you are correct there. 'So be it' as a translation can be misleading, however. Bottom line: L'ha'amin is Hebrew infinitive for 'to believe.' Emunah is the gerund, best translated as 'belief.' 'Amen' denotes and connotes 'I believe it to be true,' and is recited after a blessing in which the Lord's name is pronounced. :) gw

Jenna Logan

January 5, 2021 at 1:46 AM

Good morning, Gershon. After reading this and the comments, I think I need a brain transplant! Maybe that's my problem...thinking. lol You mentioned Bankruptcy, Corruption, Rot, and Collapse. I think those things have been prevalent for some years. There I go...thinking again. God, please stop people from thinking sexist thoughts. Amen

Panagiota Romios

January 4, 2021 at 7:45 PM

Amen ....a Woman...?? Mo mom. dad Sister or brother allowed on house floor in speech. Masks for genitalia is next, hide the plumbing...task tsk Too much hair dye. Talks like a drunk. %#£¥€ Pangie xx

Gershon Wolf

January 4, 2021 at 8:51 PM

'Masks for Genitalia!' Capital Idea, Pangie. I'll write my Democrat Congresspoison and Senators. I'm sure they'll agree. We'll put Dr. Fauci on this one right away. That'll prick -- I mean perk -- him up. lol. It's getting scarier by the day in the land of the Freud and the Graves! :) gw

Judy Ball

January 4, 2021 at 7:06 PM

This one really hit me with it's irony. I was told that the word 'AMEN' meant 'Let It Be So'. It has nothing to do with male or female. Reminds me of a joke I heard. A little girl in church was listening to the preacher pray before the congregation. At the end he said "Amen". The little girl immediately piped up and said, 'And A Woman'. A fine piece Gershon. Thanks for sharing. This equal time and space thing between the sexes is getting a little out of hand. God Bless, JB

Gershon Wolf

January 4, 2021 at 7:18 PM

Wow, 'Let it be so,' eh?! What an incredible bastardization of the word! The Hebrew L'ha'amin means to believe (infinitive). Amen is the imperative (command) form. It means, 'Believe!' Emunah is the gerund, translating best as 'Belief.' Once again, the word has zero to do with masculinity or femininity. ... By the way, in the same session of Congress which Mr. Cleaver's prayer ushered in, the Democrats passed (as part of a larger bill) a requirement not to label people by father, mother, etc., as it constitutes an affront to non-binary people. (I'm not sure I WANT to know what a non-binary person is!). We are being 1984'd right before our eyes. Hope the Georgia Senate races go Republican tomorrow. Else, we will be socialized and then communized in the next four years, no doubt about it. ~ And I used to be a classic Liberal not too long ago... Yet I know what socialism leads to: Bankruptcy, Corruption, Rot, and Collapse. Every Time.

'amen' Is 'sexist,' He's Decided

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