Please take into consideration that Jews don't spell that word out of respect.
I didn't know that, Brad. I truly apologize!
By now you've had several responses, but none have addressed the practical issue that animates many believers to not spell out "G-d".
It really has nothing to do with "a forum like this" or the fact that it's a political discussion or anything of that sort. The practicality is that many believe the hallowed name of the Creator should not be spelled out on any thing that might be desecrated: wadded up, soiled, dropped to the floor, etc. And web pages can be printed out ...and our posts here might even be cut-and-pasted onto DU, and there's no worse desecration! [grin]
Hence you will see this little formality observed by many as a sign of respect. As you know by now, it does not reflect any reluctance to acknowledge religion or belief or the Creator. Quite the contrary.
Kind of like spelling it xmas instead of Christmas?