Do words have magic powers in religion? Please read below and comment?

Question

:

"Well, actually, the Jewish name for God is the Tetragramaton, a 70-character name of which yud-hey-vav-hey is an abbreviation. "The Name" is forbidden to say for it has great power and only a few old bearded Kabbalists know how to do it right (which is why Israel will never be defeated, it's the ultimate secret weapon)."

This was Written by another Y!A participant

Answer 1

In the egyptian religion to know someones true name meant you had power over them. In wicca the words(intent) help the magic. In prayer you must allows say in the name of jesus. Buddhists have mantras. In every religion there is a phrase that that symbolizes the end of the prayer, spell, mantra...etc The end means the intent is sent into the universe to be answered by whatever power your associated with.

Answer 2

Hello. Please understand that I adamantly agree about using God's name only with utmost honor. He is Perfectly Holy and Almighty, All knowing, All Sufficient, and deserving of respect. From what I understand you saying, it sounds like this word that holds great power and only a select few can use it...sounds like magic or superstition. Where is your source of information? Is it biblical or from Jewish tradition or Jewish sacred writings? Is anyone else besides the Kabbalists privileged to this information? What if the name and "how to do it" leaks out? Would a person be cursed or foul up the holy nation of Israel? Sounds like a threat or bondage issue. I am not Jewish myself but from a traditional Catholic background...some ideas and issues I question...for instance a novena that you say just these words, do these things, and for a certain period of time. I question it because it seems hocus pocus to do and say just the right thing and 'presto' things change! I think this must be offensive to a Great God who asks us to love, worship, pray, trust, and obey Him. God cannot be fooled or manipulated by humans. We are His creation and His servants...Not the other way around.

Answer 3

The only reason why the Jews stopped using God's name is because they over did the whole "not using God's name in vain". However the Tetragramaton is still used today with it's modern pronunciation of Yahweh, Yaveh, or most commonly used Jehovah. The name Yaveh appears in older versions of the Bible, but for a period of time they replace God's name with titles such as Lord or just simply God. Lately we are seeing a resurgence of the original Jewish name for God, but with a modern pronunciation Jehovah. Look at the abbreviation you state and see how the two are closely related.

Answer 4

Yes. The words 'Jesus is my saviour' have a magical ability to make God forget all of the bad things you have done and accept you into his loving arms. Also, the words 'This is the evidence for evolution' have a magical ability to turn the religious deaf for several minutes.

Answer 5

Words have 'magic' power in general...example I used a word a work and suddenly was unemployed, and a string of word (a sentence) could make anything from very bad things happen to very good things happen. Think about it.

Answer 6

Seriously, I believe words do have "magic" power / energy but not only in religion. Although a lot of people might think this to be bogus there is a lot of power behing what words you chose to use.

Answer 7

Since Isreal is no longer the chosen nation of God they can scream God's true name from here to eternity, and it wont make any difference when He decides the end is here.

Answer 8

Interesting. I don't think that words themselves have power in religion or otherwise. What does have power however is belief. If you believe in something unwaveringly, 100% then for you it will be true.

Answer 9

There are no magic words except in Harry Potter.

Answer 10

it is believe by the tibet monk that certain words or sounds connects the human spirit to the forces of the universe