only a capital g?

Question

often i get comments whenever i ask a question about god, saying how i need to learn to spell it with a capital g. when i ask why people respond that it's out of respect. this makes me wonder. if we are to show respect to god, that is if he does exist at all, how does capitalizing show any real amount of respect to him. furthermore, am i to take it that he's happy with just one letter of god being capitalized. that sort of respect might be alright for my friend bob or joe, but for god, wouldn't he require a little more respect. like at least two letters capitalized, if not all three. i mean he is god. doesn't he deserve a little more respect than the average person?

Answer 1

"God" is not a proper name; therefore, it doesn't require a capital letter.

Answer 2

Well, when refering to the plural, ( gods ) ... this should be lower case...

when refering to gods, no longer worshiped... you should use the spelling " god" but capitalize its name. Example ( the god, Thor )

and when refering to the singular for god, use "God" - This is not only used for respect, but it's also proper grammar.


The thing is, God's name is frequently abused. For instance... it is commonly used in vain... as a curse word, or just out of impulse.

Common dirivatives of the spoken word "god", are "golly," and "gosh."


The modern English language can only show respect to a title in one way, with a capital letter.

In ancient times, the concept of lower case lettering was non-existant. Upper-case was used with every word. In Latin, spaces between words and punctuation didn't even exist.

God knows the heart, if you make sure to capitolize His name, but don't love Him... it is pointless...

on the other hand, if you love God very much, and use lowercase... I don't think He will mind.


In my opinion, I don't care what lettering you use. However, there is a verse in the Bible which calls for me to have respect, wether or not anyone is offended by it:

"Render to all what is due them: ... custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor."- Romans 13:7 (NASB) - The Holy Bible

Just for the sake of repecting someone's cultural and religious beliefs, I personally choose to capitalize the name of their religion and deity.

This prevents possible, unneccesary disputes and eliminates other possible conflicts.

How else can tollerance be attained? In what other way will peace ever be established?

Unless we keep an open mind, and respect others.

If all we do is disrepect, or attack other people's faiths and beliefs... what good does that do?

Im not saying for anyone to go become a Liberal, join the ACLU, and become Mr. Politically correct - no, this is not my point.

My point is, to show others love and respect.

God bless you and yours,


-Mr. Aggapae

Answer 3

We use lower case to express all gods that are not truly our God. For example I could say that money is a god to many people. To say God capital G is saying the God that I know by name. My one true God.

I notice that you also use lower case i when referring to yourself. This may be an unfair characterization but when I see people routinely use a lower case i I think they must have low self-esteem.

If you are a child of God the God should be God and I should be I.

Answer 4

As god is an obsolete cultural artifact dating from a period when the vast majority of humanity was filthy, uneducated, illiterate, and poor; there is no need for you to capitalize it unless it starts a sentence. After all, you wouldn't capitalize toilet unless it started a sentence, and toilets, at least, are real.

Answer 5

Grammatically speaking, one capitalizes the initial letter of any proper name. George W. Bush, for example, or Michael Jackson. It has more to do with respect for the language than with respect for persons.

Language is the material with which we think. If we are sloppy with language, our thinking will likely be sloppy as well.

Answer 6

I don't capitalize god either. It's not a name, it's a noun. Even when capitalized it's still better than those strange folk who leave the o out. G-d looks so silly.

Answer 7

I think more respect should be shown when writing His name.

Jews do not casually write any Name of G-d. This practice does not come from the commandment not to take the L-rd's Name in vain, as many suppose. In Jewish thought, that commandment refers solely to oath-taking, and is a prohibition against swearing by G-d's Name falsely or frivolously (the word normally translated as "in vain" literally means "for falsehood").

Judaism does not prohibit writing the Name of G-d per se; it prohibits only erasing or defacing a Name of G-d. However, observant Jews avoid writing any Name of G-d casually because of the risk that the written Name might later be defaced, obliterated or destroyed accidentally or by one who does not know better.

Normally, we avoid writing the Name by substituting letters or syllables, for example, writing "G-d"

Answer 8

That's why Jews don't write the name G_d, or in the Hebrew Bible it would say YHWH. But it's not only respect for God, I doubt God could care less, but it's respectful to the religious adherents.

Answer 9

From what I can see, you don't capitalize anything! (The 'shift" key is located to either side of your keyboard.) I usually capitalize proper names and the names of religious groups out of simple grammatical correctness. Others don't and that doesn't bother me at all....Don't worry about it....Blessings!

Answer 10

Sure. If you want to give it to Him. There are tons of people who type "GOD". Some type G-d or J-sus out of even more respect.

Answer 11

The little g spelling can be referring to different things,such as an idol,not necessarily a supreme being.