Inclusive Language Standards: Coming to a Seminary Near You?

I recently came across the very comprehensive APA Guidelines for Non-Sexist Use of Language. The APA in this case is the American Philosophical Association, though this document was modeled on those of the American Psychological Association. Not only do these guidelines prescribe usage conventions: they also provide the rationale for avoiding the generic use of “man” and “he”, complete with references to the studies that empirically demonstrate that “regardless of the author’s intention the generic ‘man’ is not interpreted gender neutrally.”

These guidelines include three sections of rationale, and two more practical sections:

Read the rest and join the conversation over at Gaudete Theology.