[grumple]

Many times lately I've seen the word God (on Free Republic) where some have forgotten how to spell it, like some aversion to it, as if they would be skewered by the Devil's pitchfork for spelling it out....I received this in e-mail and myself thought it was profound....

[fish hawk]

I've been in churches where they kneel to pray and some where they stand up and wave their hands in the air. Most just bow their heads and pray silently. The thing is they are all praying. My God doesn't care if you spell His name G_d or God. He is just happy that you know him. He gives us a great gift besides salvation, it's called volition.

[aruanan]

Many times lately I've seen the word God (on Free Republic) where some have forgotten how to spell it, like some aversion to it, as if they would be skewered by the Devil's pitchfork for spelling it out....I received this in e-mail and myself thought it was profound....

You're just unaware that many, mostly orthodox Jews, write it as G-d to show respect. I hope this will help you pull your foot out of your throat.

[Hinoki Cypress]

I've always wondered about this; thanks for the explanation.

[wideminded]

Dr. Spock's son committed suicide

This is false. Dr. Spock did have a grandson who committed suicide. I guess we can disregard the rest of the article since the author doesn't really care about facts.

reference

[WaterDragon]

The title of your post is out of left field and hasn't much to do with the article. 'G-d' is a way many Jews show their respect and awe for God. You would actually mock such an attitude?

[Dustbunny]

I actually find it offensive to see G-d and not God.

It makes me think they are using the word G-d because they don't really believe in God.

Just my opinion and how I feel when I see the dash mark where an o should be.

[Junior]

First it was Catholic-bashing over the weekend, and today we've seen two anti-semitic posts. FR's going to get a bad reputation from all this.

[rwfromkansas]

I have seen that e-mail before and it is good.

As for the issue of G-d, it is not a sign of disrespect. Actually, it is the opposite.

It comes from the tradition of the Jews being fearful of daring to say God's name. It is a practice done in reverence, with fear and trembling. It is by no means something negative or intended to mock the Lord.

Perhaps we Christians should learn a little reverence and awe at the very name of God and everything else connected with the Almighty.

[montag813]

You are an idiot. Jews do this as a sign of respect. Why would this offend you?

[arasina]

Thanks to whatshername for the CATHY comic.

[gitmo]

I encountered this in the early 70's. I was in a Bible school in a Baptist church with a Rabbi. When we were comparing our notes from the classes, my Rabbi buddy used G-d, J-s, and H-S. He said he considered this a sign of respect, and could not bring himself to spell out God, Jesus, or Holy Spirit. The tetragrammaton was is Holy and should be kept Holy.

I laughed. (We were pretty close friends). I faithfully spell each name out, and cannot bring myself to abbreviate any of them, even for note taking. Again, it is a sign of respect.

We were both sincere in our signs of respect. We decided that Paul's discourse on Liberty (I Corinthians 9 & 10) was applicable here. Besides, that was the book we were studying at the time.

I Cor 10:24
Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.
Eat anything that is sold in the meat market, without asking questions for conscience' sake;
FOR THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S AND ALL IT CONTAINS
If any of the unbelievers invites you, and you wish to go, eat anything that is set before you, without asking questions for conscience's sake.
But if anyone should say to you, "This is meat sacrificed to idols," do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience's sake
I mean not your own conscience, but the other man's ; for why is my freedom judged by another's conscience?

When I am in an environment where brothers spell God as "G-d" I will do so in order to honor their reverence of God. Jewish World Review is such an environment. When I am in an environment where GOD is used as spelled, I do so. Perhaps it is legalism to use G-d. It really doesn't matter. My liberty in God permits me to do either. My respect for the spiritual needs for brothers and sisters demands I recognize their need to respect Him as they feel led.

Look around yourself at Church next week. Notice how many things are accepted as part of the worship experience in your church, and yet are not required by Scripture. It can be how you dress, it can be how you pray, it can be the language you use in the Church, it can be how you act in the building. We all have G-d thingies that we conciously or subconciously consider holy.

[potlatch]

but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.

I received this in an email quite some time ago and sent it to all my friends and relatives. It's a good article.

I am a Catholic and have NEVER before heard that not fully spelling God showed respect!!

On the contrary - I would think that each time we say or spell Gods name with respect and love - it gives Him pleasure!!

[ladyinred]

While I am not sure, I think the Jews spell it G-D because they do not speak the sacred name. Others who spell it that way will have to explain themselves for themselves.