God...not G-d

[freesia2]

Thanks for the info, Catspaw. Obviously, I'm not that familiar with Judiasm. I had never seen this practice anywhere but here.

[Catspaw]

I've seen it used in other writings, but only learned the history of the usage right here on FR. Other posters, some who taught me the history, have gone into much more depth about it. To me, it's no different that using the symbol of a fish for Christians.

[MEGoody]

"Of course, when God was back in the schools, plenty of terrible things happened then as well."

Yeah. Teachers reported the worst problems they had: Chewing gum and talking in class. How awful!

[Catspaw]

This line should be read at every imigration celebration of new citizenship and to our school children. Excellent post Catspaw! Thanks

Your link in post #114 contains it in the 1700's section, but it's also at the website for the Tuoro Synagogue in Newport RI.

[MEGoody]

"George Washington was a model for us of Christian persuasion as opposed to Christian Bible thumpage."

Why do you say that?

[freesia2]

Not knowing the background, I was bothered by seeing "G-d," but now I can accept it as it is intended, a show of respect (rather that disrespect, which is what I first thought).

[SJackson]

All these references have to do with the opinions of man, not the anouncements of God.

Clearly, they’re all based on Deut 12:3-4. I don’t have a lot of interest in arguing the validity of the position here, I was simply noting some references in response to your request, and implicaton ( It's a time-honored activity spanning millennia…responseDo you have some proof? that this is a recent practice, which it isn’t.

As the response noted, the hyphenated version is not used in Holy Books, which would be consistant with your experience The name of God seems to be fully spelled out in holy writings. Strong's Concordance shows no evidence for leaving out the "o"…, not evidence that this is somehow a recent invention.

[maryz]

I can't explain why you've only encountered it for the last few years. I can tell you I've seen it since childhood for the last nearly 30 years, but then, I'm Jewish.

I've been familiar with it since high school in the 60s (and I'm Catholic). Actually, I asked a Jewish guy I worked with in my after school job some questions about Judaism, and he gave me a couple of articles.

[SJackson]

If it really was a 3000 year old tradition *widespread* practice in English, then I would have encountered it sometime during my 50 years on this earth prior to the last couple of years.
What I thought we were referring to is the practice of writing "God" this way in modern English text. What was done 2000 years ago isn't relevant to the question of why it is I, as a reasonably well read person, did not encounter this practice until quite recently.

That probably has more to do with your reading habits than anything else. How frequently did you read Jewish literature (excluding Holy Texts where the hyphenation might not be used) or correspond on religious topics with Orthodox Jews? If often, I have no explanation for you. If not, then I’d suspect it has more to do with the more profuse distribution of writing since the advent of the internet.

[HairOfTheDog]

Do you have some proof? The name of God seems to be fully spelled out in holy writings.

You got the point, though you don't know it. Holy books are holy books, and they are treasured and not dscarded without respect. The tradition is to not put God's name on writings that are temporary and informal, not to be kept, that will be thrown away.

It is like the truists regarding the American flag, those who think it is improper to put the image of the flag on items of clothing or other treatment that will not treat that image with the respect a flag should have. Not all patriots follow that etiquette to the letter, feeling proud to wear the flag on a bandana or a shirt... But some do follow it, and their failure to not wear a flag shirt is not a failure to be a good patriot by any stretch. Same with the writing of the word G-d.

[grumple]

"Surely you don't mean that Orthodox Jews are "disrespectful" for "cowering being the modern culture while waiting for His return," because they spell "God" "G-d," do you? Or do you?"

No, not at all. But while ignoring modern culture issues such as prominent homosexuality, gay marriages, and the elimination of God from all things relevant seems a bit more to be concerned about rather than the focus on how you spell God as a sign of respect.

[HairOfTheDog]

Meant to ping you to my 130 also.

[grumple]

Not knowing the background, I was bothered by seeing "G-d," but now I can accept it as it is intended, a show of respect (rather that disrespect, which is what I first thought).

This is how I felt, for those who were offended my apologies. Know that I was just as offended by seeing it spelled G-d (or any other deviation), considering the obvious attempt at removing God from all things relevant.

[SJackson]

No, not at all. But while ignoring modern culture issues such as prominent homosexuality, gay marriages, and the elimination of God from all things relevant seems a bit more to be concerned about rather than the focus on how you spell God as a sign of respect.

So you come to the conclusion that Orthodox Jews somehow should be criticized for the offensive and culturally destructive practice (to you) hyphenating G-d, in contrast to the more enlightend liberal Reform Jews who will be much more lax on this point, who would be far more supportive of your position.

You're picking the wrong allies in your concern about modern culture issues.

[DannyTN]

"Do you not think that if fully spelling-out "God" really pissed Him off that He would've lightning-struck somebody for it by now? "

That's not how God typically operates. His purpose is to bring people to salvation, regardless of how they spell His name.

God doesn't lightning strike the vast majority of people who use his name in foul and derogatory ways. So why would you expect him to lightning strike someone who was trying to show him respect.

[E Rocc]

Begin your studies with the The American Colonist's Library

Nice set of links, thanks. Much of it I've seen already. I found the link to the Danbury letter interesting because it's to the Wallbuilders site, and it's no longer valid. Barton rearranged his site, much like he had to re-arrange his arguments when he learned that a number of the quotes he had been using were inaccurate.

There's no doubt that most of the Founders and Framers were Christians, and some that may not have been approved of Christianity. The question is whether or not they intended for Christianity to be an integral part of the government. There's quite a few links there that suggest the answer is no. Too many to claim, as some do, that Christianity isn't in the Constitution because it was presumed or implied.

-Eric

[grumple]

"So you come to the conclusion that Orthodox Jews somehow should be criticized for the offensive and culturally destructive practice (to you) hyphenating G-d (Heavy sigh)...Until you can identify where it was that I deemed Orthodox Jews worthy of criticism for anything I've posted or that I deemed any variation of the spelling of God as destructive, then I will consider your response completely misunderstanding.

[BlueAngel]

You are exactly right in your statements.

[PatrioticAmerican]

Ditto! Its like FR. We all use screen names, but I am not afraid to give my name out. Not at all. I am a proud American and I am willing to take a stand and tell everyone who I am that is taking the stand.

If someone is proud to know God, then why spell his name such that they "might" not offend him? How can God be offended by someone respectfully spelling his name that we human use for him? Frankly, if I were God, I'd be miffed that someone wouldn't spell it out.

R_b in Denver.