God lacks gender in new prayer book

LONDON, May 19 (UPI) -- A new prayer book for Reform Judaism introduced Monday in Britain marks the first time gender-neutral language is being used to refer to God, researchers said

Instead of references to God as "Father," "Lord" and other male terms, the book uses descriptions such as "Living God" and "Eternal One," the Lancashire Evening Post reported.

The book, published by Populus for the Movement for Reform Judaism, also gives female figures in the Bible, such as Sarah and Rachel, equal prominence to males, The Times of London reports.

Researchers said a study conducted in advance of the prayer book's publication indicated that nearly three-quarters of Christians in Britain think God is male.

About a quarter of Britain's 300,000 Jews belong to the reform movement, which takes a liberal approach to issues such as homosexuality.