Do some people fear writing the word "god" or something? Are they affraid God will be angry with them if they write out all three letters?
I don't believe in God (or any god) myself, I just thought this was interesting.
2007-01-25 05:10:31 · 23 answers · asked by boukenger 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It's part of their religious superstition. They feel it is somehow disrespectful to call a god by its name. (Though, naming your god "God" is about as inane as naming your dog "Dog".)
2007-01-25 05:13:45 · answer #1 · answered by nondescript 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's not a fear of God, it's respect for God. There's some tradition about how writing out the whole word on anything makes the text/paper holy, and to then throw it away or recycle it would be sacrilegous (like tossing a Bible in the trash). It makes the paper into a religious writing, and you it would be disrespectful to just toss that in with the rest of your garbage.
So it was decided that the hypen would be an acceptable cheat, since you're not writing out the name of God... but the reader still knows who you mean. It's kinda the same flavor as not letting the American flag touch the ground - it's a way of showing respect.
Orthodox Jews and traditional Christians alike follow this practice.
2007-01-25 05:21:08 · answer #2 · answered by teresathegreat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Technically, as Jews, we're not supposed to write out the "full name" of God, as I just did (I'm non-practicing...and Reform Jew anyway). Usually Orthodox (or "traditional") Jews will adhere to this more strictly. It would be blasphemous , they believe, for example if the "name" is written on paper for instance, and then is destroyed. Also many religious Jews (again many times the Orthodox in particular) will refer to God as Hashem (this means , literally, "the name") because they don't want to actually USE a "name" of God in casual speech, thus "taking it in vain". It's just a cultural thing, a sign of respect really. Same with covering the heads. In the Middle East peasants and the poor would cover their heads and their hair around royalty, thus, Jews and many many Muslims as well, believe the head or hair (on men and women) should have a covering on it while praying.
2007-01-25 05:21:11 · answer #3 · answered by DinoDeSanto 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is not an apprehension of God, that's comprehend for God. there is a few custom approximately how writing out the completed be conscious on something makes the textual content textile/paper holy, and to then throw it away or recycle it would be sacrilegous (like tossing a Bible contained in the trash). It makes the paper right into a non secular writing, and you it would be disrespectful to purely toss that throughout with the the remainder of your rubbish. So it grow to be desperate that the hypen may be an appropriate cheat, considering you're no longer writing out the call of God... however the reader nevertheless is conscious who you propose. that's kinda the comparable style as no longer letting the yank flag touch the floor - that's a fashion of exhibiting comprehend. Orthodox Jews and classic Christians alike shop on with this custom.
2016-09-27 23:36:42 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is a sign of reverence. Some cultures have a history of believing in the power of a name. To name someone is to have power over them. The Hebrew text was made without vowels, to avoid dishonouring the name of God.
2007-01-25 05:15:37 · answer #5 · answered by pastor guy 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Because some people believe writing God's name is to holy, so they take out the vowels. Its the same as writing Yaweh as YWH.
2007-01-25 05:15:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
we do it because of the commandment not to erase or deface the name of G-d. so we alter the spelling to make sure that nobody accidentally crumples up a piece of paper containing the name of G-d, or some other similar scenario that might cause a person to break this commandment. on more permanent surfaces, we spell it in the regular way.
2007-01-25 05:43:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the commandment to not take the name of God in vain is a part of this I believe. They don't want to write it because of this, so have found an alternative.
2007-01-25 05:13:52 · answer #8 · answered by CL R 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Some jewish people do this, as a sign of respect for god.
Someone asked a question the other day "Why are people so supersticious? Do they think G-d will strike them dead if they...?" The irony was too much :)
2007-01-25 05:14:24 · answer #9 · answered by Laptop Jesus 2.0 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have never understood that either, as God is not a name, it is a title, and by using his title it is a sign of respect, not taking his name in vain.
2007-01-25 05:19:01 · answer #10 · answered by sparkleythings_4you 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Im on this Earth 44 years and ive never heard of that. Its new to me Dude.. God Bless You
2007-01-25 05:14:08 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋