Why use "G-d"?

  • Thread starter Thread starter dean24us
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
D

dean24us

Guest
Hello! I’ve noticed that some people in CAF write “G-d”, and I am confused by this. I understand that people don’t want to use His name (presumably out of a sense of reverence), but I thought “God” is a title and not His proper name (e.g., Yahweh, Jehovah, YHWH, etc) and that the primary reason for using “God” was to avoid uttering His true name. What am I missing?

On a similar note, why doesn’t Jesus’ name get the same treatment?

Dean
 
By the way, I wanted to mention that my question shouldn’t be seen as a condemnation of people who write “G-d”. I am trying to gain understanding, not offend. 🙂
 
I believe it’s a Jewish prohibition to write out the FULL name of God. So observant Jews ( and non Jews if they wish) don’t write out GOD, they write G-D instead.
 
dean24us said:
Hello! I’ve noticed that some people in CAF write “G-d”, and I am confused by this. I understand that people don’t want to use His name (presumably out of a sense of reverence), but I thought “God” is a title and not His proper name (e.g., Yahweh, Jehovah, YHWH, etc) and that the primary reason for using “God” was to avoid uttering His true name. What am I missing?

On a similar note, why doesn’t Jesus’ name get the same treatment?

Dean
Click to expand...
In Judaism, the name of G-d is not written in full, to prevent one from inadvertently deleting the name. It is therefore a sign of reverence, as you state. This does not apply in the same way to the utterance of G-d’s name since accidental or intentional deletion is not an issue. However, out of respect, the full name of G-d is likewise not spoken. Adonai is the name read in the Bible, while Hashem is used mainly in conversational speech.
 
meltzerboy said:
In Judaism, the name of G-d is not written in full, to prevent one from inadvertently deleting the name. It is therefore a sign of reverence, as you state. This does not apply in the same way to the utterance of G-d’s name since accidental or intentional deletion is not an issue. However, out of respect, the full name of G-d is likewise not spoken. Adonai is the name read in the Bible, while Hashem is used mainly in conversational speech.
Click to expand...
I can understand not saying the name of God but why say G-d instead of God. God is not his name.
 
Speaking only for myself, I would be irked if people were spelling my name “D-v-d.” But then I’m not God (and aren’t we all glad about that!). And, and thistle said, “God” is not His name; in the Hebrew language it is “YHVH” (with the vowels still under question), and if the burning bush had been discovered by a shepherd in the Cotswolds rather than a shepherd in Midian, we would know His name as either “I Am” or “He Is.”
 
God is not his name, it is his job title, so there is no need for the affection G_d to be used. yes it would be offensive to use His Name, as rendered in Hebrew scripture, to many people so we don’t do it here, and that is why the Church recently ruled against for instance hymns that use it.
 
I thought they were being offensive as normally when I see a word with a letter missing it is due to offence.

I understand the Jewish side of it, they are very strict.
 
puzzleannie said:
God is not his name, it is his job title, so there is no need for the affection G_d to be used. yes it would be offensive to use His Name, as rendered in Hebrew scripture, to many people so we don’t do it here, and that is why the Church recently ruled against for instance hymns that use it.
Click to expand...
That’s what I thought as well.

Would anyone who does indeed use “G-d” mind to comment? I’d be interested in learning your views on the matter.

Dean
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top