Happy Atheist Forum

Why is it capitalized when talking about God?

You would think if these people were so smart to be able to come up with this way to keep this religion around for so dang long, they would at least know how to follow proper grammar.

Why? Arrogance. Apparently "god" being used as a pronoun simply wasn't enough, they wanted the rules of grammar to bend to their religion. I don't capitalize "he" when referring to god. I don't capitalize god anymore, either, as a protest of their absurd grammatical bullying.

Quote from: "Kevin"Why is it capitalized when talking about God?

It depends on the writer, and which stylebook (if any) they are following.  Like Will, and for similar reasons, I tend to avoid capitalizing "god" and any pronouns referring to a deity, unless I'm trying to make a point.   For instance, when I'm trying to be sarcastic, I often capitalize "god" and associated pronouns.  Probably too subtle, but at least  I know what I intend by it.
 
Here (http://www.teachingcollegeenglish.com/?s=God+capitalized) are some interesting notes on the subject from a teacher of college level English.

I always capitalize God when I am talking about the Judeo-Christian god
But when I talking about gods, I just use gods. Or when I am saying like your god, I use it then.

But yeah, it's stupid they do capitalize "He". They just HAD to take it one step further to dumber the minds of their followers.

Pondering this capitalization thing is sort of fun.  I can't help but wonder, for instance, does He pass gas?  If so, then when He passes gas, does He produce a Fart (instead of a regular old fart)?

Side topic:
Would a perfect being never fart, or would a perfect being produce perfect farts?

Quote from: "Kevin"I always capitalize God when I am talking about the Judeo-Christian god

I do too as an attempt to make it clear that I am intending to refer to the Judeo Christian god rather than a generic idea of god.

Quote from: "SteveS"Pondering this capitalization thing is sort of fun.  I can't help but wonder, for instance, does He pass gas?  If so, then when He passes gas, does He produce a Fart (instead of a regular old fart)?

Side topic:
Would a perfect being never fart, or would a perfect being produce perfect farts?

[youtube:2g1x09cm]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL7QaQ3TXRk[/youtube:2g1x09cm]

Quote from: "SteveS"... when He passes gas, does He produce a Fart (instead of a regular old fart)?

I really like the turn this thread has taken! Unfortunately, wouldn't you know it, this very important question is not mentioned in the bible, but I think that Christians would be bound by their beliefs to say that Jesus' Farts had a supernatural, nay, divine aroma. :D

Why stop there? Why should such pious and holy people capitalize their "I"? Think about it, God is not thou equal, He is above you. So therefore a good Christian should have non-capitalized letter I's.

"I believe in Him" - damnation

"I believe in him" - super damnation

"I don't believe in him" - extra super damnation

"I question why a universal and infinite deity would have something as biological as a gender." - special extra super damnation

"i believe in Him" - salvation.

Am i right?

Quote from: "liveyoungdiefast"Why stop there? Why should such pious and holy people capitalize their "I"? Think about it, God is not thou equal, He is above you. So therefore a good Christian should have non-capitalized letter I's.

"I believe in Him" - damnation

"I believe in him" - super damnation

"I don't believe in him" - extra super damnation

"I question why a universal and infinite deity would have something as biological as a gender." - special extra super damnation

"i believe in Him" - salvation.

Am i right?

Lol, as odd as that was, that makes sense xD

Spread it. If those awfully disproportionate crosses made of zeros can infect the internet then so can grammar theology.

"i believe in Him" - salvation.

Am i right?

Lol, as odd as that was, that makes sense xD
Yup,  me too!

More and more, in mainstream/sane religious publications, bible doesn't get a cap B. Guess/hope it's their step toward acknowledging it's just an ancient book that they really like rather than a magic Book.

I always think about this...

(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2F3%2F37%2FHelium.gif&hash=6b96ad0aa4c33fd449ff26c9b38890588d9550cb)

(at least is real stuff)

Kevin - I love that Family Guy clip - one of my favorites!  Creationism = I Dream of Jeannie

In case anyone wants to use it:

(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages107.fotki.com%2Fv546%2Fphotos%2F8%2F892548%2F6116196%2FBigBangfamilyguy-vi.gif&hash=a87d9545efe4049f506152ee4c1b5d806af01552)

Lol wow, I find the video, you one-up me with a .gif

Quote from: "Kevin"Why is it capitalized when talking about God?

You would think if these people were so smart to be able to come up with this way to keep this religion around for so dang long, they would at least know how to follow proper grammar.

I don't capitalise god, jesus or religion. It really pisses off the fundies

Quote from: "SteveS"Pondering this capitalization thing is sort of fun.  I can't help but wonder, for instance, does He pass gas?  If so, then when He passes gas, does He produce a Fart (instead of a regular old fart)?

Side topic:
Would a perfect being never fart, or would a perfect being produce perfect farts?

I'm guessing a perfect being would never need to eat as it would be 100% energy efficient. Due to there being no energy intake, it would have no waste products to expel. Because of this, I'm guessing god has no use for an anus either.

I wonder if he/it (presuming some kind of creator does exist) has any use for a phallus or some kind of proboscis. There's nothing in the bible to suggest god has copulated or needs to copulate so maybe the label of 'perfect being' also includes no sexual apparatus - action man style!

Doesn't sound very perfect to me to be honest. My willy has a great many uses.

Quote from: "karadan"Doesn't sound very perfect to me to be honest.

Yeah - that's the problem with "perfect".  Seems to be an awfully subjective standard.....

"God" is capitalized because in the case of the Abrahamic religions, it is used in the sense of a name, not just a classification. Same reason that if I named my kid summer, I would write "Summer" when I was referring to them.

As for "He", I don't know why "he" is used at all, let alone why it is capitalized. Animal genders are defined with "female" being the one that has the offspring. If there is a god, and it created everything, I think that call it a "female" would be more accurate. At least from a conceptual point of view. Surely God doesn't have a sex, or sexuality. That appears a little too anthropomorphic to me.

"He" and "Him" are only capitalized in the modern translations, they aren't in the older King James bibles.

And before you go screaming about English grammar rules, come on.  Did you rant the same way when Tolkien capitalized "He" in reference to Sauron?  It's just an effort to show reverence.  And it's not like English itself is even consistent about this: does anyone know why the pronoun "I" is always capitalized but "you", "he", "she" aren't?

Quote from: "Enoch Root"And it's not like English itself is even consistent about this: does anyone know why the pronoun "I" is always capitalized but "you", "he", "she" aren't?

It's simple: "I'' am more important than "you", "him" or "her".

Quote from: "Hitsumei"It's simple: "I'' am more important than "you", "him" or "her".

That's debatable. In all fairness, if it weren't for all the other "him"s and "her"s out there, I'd die from any number of things: illness, malnutrition, exposure to the elements, BEARS. We only feel that the "I" is most important because we're biased. We like being alive. Being alive is a group effort, though.

Quote from: "curiosityandthecat"

Quote from: "Hitsumei"It's simple: "I'' am more important than "you", "him" or "her".

That's debatable. In all fairness, if it weren't for all the other "him"s and "her"s out there, I'd die from any number of things: illness, malnutrition, exposure to the elements, BEARS. We only feel that the "I" is most important because we're biased. We like being alive. Being alive is a group effort, though.

I wasn't being serious.

Quote from: "Hitsumei"I wasn't being serious.

That's what smileys are for.

Quote from: "Will"Why? Arrogance. Apparently "god" being used as a pronoun simply wasn't enough, they wanted the rules of grammar to bend to their religion. I don't capitalize "he" when referring to god. I don't capitalize god anymore, either, as a protest of their absurd grammatical bullying.

My answer exactly, Will... They say it's a sign of respect... how?  It's a capital letter.  Big deal.

Quote from: "Kevin"Why is it capitalized when talking about God?

You would think if these people were so smart to be able to come up with this way to keep this religion around for so dang long, they would at least know how to follow proper grammar.

I would assume it is out of respect and reverence for god. Since there is no one there to revere, I refuse to do it.

Quote from: "Hitsumei""God" is capitalized because in the case of the Abrahamic religions, it is used in the sense of a name, not just a classification. Same reason that if I named my kid summer, I would write "Summer" when I was referring to them.

As for "He", I don't know why "he" is used at all, let alone why it is capitalized. Animal genders are defined with "female" being the one that has the offspring. If there is a god, and it created everything, I think that call it a "female" would be more accurate. At least from a conceptual point of view. Surely God doesn't have a sex, or sexuality. That appears a little too anthropomorphic to me.

Great idea and thought but they would never use She because women are subservient to men according to the bibles view.  Created man in his image and created woman from man....hmmmm, no wonder we waited so long for suffrage.  So I guess they use He so we don't forget that and get all "uppity".

Quote from: "VanReal"Great idea and thought but they would never use She because women are subservient to men according to the bibles view.  Created man in his image and created woman from man....hmmmm, no wonder we waited so long for suffrage.  So I guess they use He so we don't forget that and get all "uppity".

I don't know if Hebrew has gender pronouns or not -- but if it does I think that would explain why god is called a "he" at least. The society was of course very patriarchal. Like most were.

The greatest human injustice becomes obvious when one realizes the brilliant thinkers, artists, and poets that were stifled, squelched, and denied the opportunity to pursue their dreams and talents because they were lucky enough to be born the wrong sex, at the wrong time. The blemish, left by this impoverishment will forever mark our species, and burden our souls.

Quote from: "Kevin"I always capitalize God when I am talking about the Judeo-Christian god but when I talking about gods, I just use gods. Or when I am saying like your god, I use it then.

But yeah, it's stupid they do capitalize "He". They just HAD to take it one step further to dumber the minds of their followers.

YES YES & more YES.  They certainly DID have to take it a step further.  

I have a jewish friend who writes god as "G-d." I don't understand that, either.

Quote from: "Wendy"I have a jewish friend who writes god as "G-d." I don't understand that, either.

I think it has something do to with not taking God's name in vain and is a form of respect.  At least, that's what people who write it that way have told me (I think there might be an explaination from someone if you search the forum).