"G-d" for "god"

Factual Questions
1

I understand that some people believe, for a variety of reasons, that the word “god” should not be written. Many of them substitute instead something like “G-d.”

I’m not sure I understand why, if it is not okay to write “God” why it would be okay to write “G-d.”

Language and writing is based on a mutual agreement regarding the meaning of otherwise arbitrary symbols. If the writer intends “G-d” to be a substitute for “God,” and all the readers understand “G-d” to be “God,” then “G-d” is just an alternative spelling of “God.” If “G-d” is just an alternative spelling of “God,” then “G-d” is the word “God.”

Then, following the logic of those who believe the word “God” should not be written, should the word “G-d” then also not be written?

2

This has been discussed before. Use the search.

Oh, wait… you can’t search on three-letter terms. Never mind.

[sub]Sorry, I couldn’t resist. I’ll take any opportunity to mention the need to get three-letter terms brought back to the search.[/sub]

Zev Steinhardt

3

Let’s see if I can beat cmkeller and zev_steinhart to the punch…*

Writing G-d or the name of G-d is not what is forbidden, it is erasing or defacing the name that is forbidden. Also, it only applies to permanent forms such as print, not typing into a computer. If a document is typed in and then printed, it becomes permanent and should not be defaced or destroyed.

Judaism 101
S.C.J. FAQ

[sub]*- Nope, I can’t[/sub]

4

Hmm … okay. But that doesn’t really address my point. Whatever rule applies to the word “God,” should also apply to the word “G-d,” because they are, in practice, the same word. What am I missing?

5

Out of curiousity, did you read the second link? The answer, if I interpret it correctly, seems to be there. The “rule” to which we’re referring only applies to the Hebrew names for G-d, and in a permanent medium. According to the SCJ FAQ, the rule, in a strict sense, does not apply to “G-d,” thus one could write “G-d” or “God” and not violate any rules. It has just become customary to extend the rule to terms for God in languages other than Hebrew.

If, however, you’re looking for a debate on semantics and language, and why “G-d” became the custom, instead of “G–”, “—”, or “:)”, I’m not sure I can help there. Zev?

6

I don’t think I can provide much more help than the second link that you provided av8rmike which really sums it up.

Zev Steinhardt

7

It would seem that adding dashes does make it a separate word.

In the same way that writing “s—” is much less offensive than writing “shit”.

I am, of course, not comparing God’s name to a cuss-word. I’m just saying that the same process of “the dash destroys the effect” works in both cases.

8

Links to prior discussions:
Why is it G-d but not L-rd?

G-d
Zev, the reason we don’t allow three-letter searches is that the process of searching slows the boards down for everyone else. And a search on “god” would turn up every occurrence of “god”, “godly”, “godliness”, “dogodor”, “pagoda” etc.
Almost every three-letter word combination will turn up lots and lots of unwanted cites.

I had no trouble finding these earlier discussions with a more-than-three-letter search.

9

Jewish people do not use the term “God” outside of prayer, so they write it “G-d.”

10

I know, I know. I’m just harping on it because I used to be able to search for my name and can no longer do so… :frowning:

Zev Steinhardt

11

“Steinhardt” is way more than three letters…?

:::: ducking :::

12

Where’s the smashie smiley when you need him… :smiley:

Zev Steinhardt