The Capitalization of "God" versus "a god."

[JamesM]

Here is an example of why many atheists or agnostics seem to want not to capitalize the proper name for the Christian god, God:

 

"I personally find it a bit insulting as agnostic/atheist to be forced to capitalize god. It seems to infer that god does exist, but every time I hand in a paper to a professor where I do not capitalize it, they mark it up. I find it rather frustrating to be required to write god in a manner that betrays my personal beliefs."

God or god -> do you capitalize God/god? - Neowin Forums

 

 

It is common for many who do not believe in the Christian god to leave it a lower care "g". Yet grammatical rules state plainly that when referring to God as a name which it is for the Judeo-Christian god, then it is appropriate to capitalize it. It has nothing to do with beliefs! I do not believe that Santa Claus or Zeus exist, but I have no qualms about capitalizing either. It doesn't make me feel that somehow by giving them a capital, I bring them into existence. It simply is correct grammar.

 

Whenever we use the word god as a noun and not a name, then it does not need to be capitalized. The common misunderstanding of the confusion over whether to capitalize "God" when referring to the Christian deity appears to be that if someone does not believe in God, then they do not need to capitalize it. This is incorrect since, in the most common use of the word, it is being used as a name and not simply a noun. It would be like not capitalizing Greg or John or any other name.

 

The slang exclamation "Jesus Christ!" is a perfect example of this. Many people who may not believe in Jesus still capitalize the name when written as an exclamation due to the fact that it is a name. (A K Wolf)

 

Here are examples of when God/god should be or not be capitalized:

 

Christians believe in God.

Christians believe in a god.

Christians believe there is only one god.

Christians do not believe in the Greek god, Zeus.

 

Atheists do not believe in God.

Atheists do not believe in any god.

 

Here are a few links that state the rules of grammar and include this to be the fact:

 

Asbury University | Capitalization

 

UWF - Writing Lab - Capitalization

 

Capitalizing God — Teaching College English

 

God (capitalization) - Grammarist

 

Purdue OWL: Capital Letters

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_(word)

 

Capitalization

 

The Grammarphobia Blog: Should Siri capitalize

 

 

 

Thank you. Perhaps this will clear up the confusion that seems to exist.

[strongnrelaxed]

Here is an example of why many atheists or agnostics seem to want not to capitalize the proper name for the Christian god, God:

 

"I personally find it a bit insulting as agnostic/atheist to be forced to capitalize god. It seems to infer that god does exist, but every time I hand in a paper to a professor where I do not capitalize it, they mark it up. I find it rather frustrating to be required to write god in a manner that betrays my personal beliefs."

God or god -> do you capitalize God/god? - Neowin Forums

 

 

It is common for many who do not believe in the Christian god to leave it a lower care "g". Yet grammatical rules state plainly that when referring to God as a name which it is for the Judeo-Christian god, then it is appropriate to capitalize it. It has nothing to do with beliefs! I do not believe that Santa Claus or Zeus exist, but I have no qualms about capitalizing either. It doesn't make me feel that somehow by giving them a capital, I bring them into existence. It simply is correct grammar.

 

Whenever we use the word god as a noun and not a name, then it does not need to be capitalized. The common misunderstanding of the confusion over whether to capitalize "God" when referring to the Christian deity appears to be that if someone does not believe in God, then they do not need to capitalize it. This is incorrect since, in the most common use of the word, it is being used as a name and not simply a noun. It would be like not capitalizing Greg or John or any other name.

 

The slang exclamation "Jesus Christ!" is a perfect example of this. Many people who may not believe in Jesus still capitalize the name when written as an exclamation due to the fact that it is a name. (A K Wolf)

 

Here are examples of when God/god should be or not be capitalized:

 

Christians believe in God.

Christians believe in a god.

Christians believe there is only one god.

Christians do not believe in the Greek god, Zeus.

 

Atheists do not believe in God.

Atheists do not believe in any god.

 

Here are a few links that state the rules of grammar and include this to be the fact:

 

Asbury University | Capitalization

 

UWF - Writing Lab - Capitalization

 

Capitalizing God — Teaching College English

 

God (capitalization) - Grammarist

 

Purdue OWL: Capital Letters

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_(word)

 

Capitalization

 

The Grammarphobia Blog: Should Siri capitalize

 

 

 

Thank you. Perhaps this will clear up the confusion that seems to exist.

 

Well done James. Thank you for taking the time.

[mercy]

When speaking of God I use a capital. If I'm frustrated and say oh god, I don't capitalize it. Using 'Him; when speaking of God I always use a capital, He sent His son to die for me, He has earned my respect.

 

Oh god please don't correct my grammar!

[TheFinalWord]

From a qualitative perspective, considering the Atheist/Christian (I capitalized both ) discussions, capitalizing God indicates a sign of respect not capitalizing God indicates a sign of disrespect. Atheists don't respect the concept of God, Christians do. Grammar rules makes no difference for either side. It's fine with me if they don't capitalize it. What is in the heart comes out of the mouth (or keyboard in this instance).

Edited September 22, 2012 by TheFinalWord

[mercy]

I've just explained why it is grammatically valid, and not a sign of disrespect. I am so tired of these banal assertions tossed out with no justification at all.

 

If you are going to accuse me of being disrespectful, at least have a reason.

 

Are you talking to me? I don't think you're disrespectful. I was just adding to the thread why I do it.

 

I'm terrible with grammar.

[florence of suburbia]

God in English is a translation of the name of the Hebrew deity, Adonai, so it's a proper noun. James is right.

[TheFinalWord]

I've just explained why it is grammatically valid, and not a sign of disrespect. I am so tired of these banal assertions tossed out with no justification at all.

 

If you are going to accuse me of being disrespectful, at least have a reason.

 

Huh? Not accusing you of anything. Did I quote you? It was a reply to OP. My comment is my personal observation in reference to the OP, and has absolutely nothing to do with you personally. If I have a personal comment to you, I will quote you.

[TheFinalWord]

James is right if you are using it to refer to a specific entity. The English language has numerous examples of names and proper nouns becoming common nouns. One example I can think of are "venetian blinds". A person from Venice is a Venetian, but the non-capitalised derivative is perfectly valid.

 

In this case, non-capitalised "god" is a perfectly valid reference for the concept of a deity, much in the same way one might use "man" to refer to humanity. I might phrase a question "What are man's defining qualities?". Substitute "god" for "man" and it's perfectly valid.

 

If I do want to refer to a specific entity, I will use any of the following (capitalised):

 

• Yahweh: New Testament god.
  
• Jehovah: Old Testament god.
  
• god of Abraham/Christianity/the Bible: a more general reference to the OT/NT gods.
  

 

And so on.

 

The next person who comes along to say that it's wrong or disrespectful to not capitalise "god" had better address specific points, or there will be much derision and mockery.

 

That's fine

 

My previous post wasn't meant to be accusatory. I can see why you thought that though.

 

I accept your rationale. To me, I don't care if anyone capitalizes it or not. For me, I capitalize it out of respect for God, nothing to do with grammar. If you don't capitalize if b/c of grammar, okay I accept that.

 

For me personally, it's just a non-issue. That's for me personally, not anyone else!

[TheFinalWord]

I'm curious to know if you still see it as a sign of disrespect.

 

If you say you do not capitalize it b/c of grammar and not b/c of your atheism, okay I accept that. I think you are an honest man, and if you say that is the reason, than that is the reason.

 

For me personally, I honestly do not care if you do or don't, grammar or otherwise. I can look way past it and I think getting bogged down in an argument about it is a waste of time. It isn't a sign of disrespect to me one bit.

 

"Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will."

 

I'll respect whatever definition of atheism you all want to apply. I don't care if atheists capitalize God, they can spell it or refer to her in any way they want (using her is something I have seen Michael Shermer do in debates). Atheists can claim Hitler was a Christian and not an atheist, cool with me. I think those things are interesting to consider for an intellectual exercise, but I think they are mainly distractions (for me).

 

I only care if you and everyone else accepts Jesus Christ. If I don't think a conversation will get to that decision, than I don't worry about it and don't want to get bogged down in arguments that don't bring glory to Christ. No offense, but that is my personal, deepest concern. I'm a Christian (you know that). I know you don't believe this, but I believe on Judgement day God is going to ask "what did you (and me) do with Jesus", not did you capitalize my name, what did you think about Hitler, how did you define atheism...Jesus. Until that is met, everything else is secondary for me. Just my personal motivation. No offense!

[florence of suburbia]

"man" is short for "mankind" and I've never seen man used as a proper noun. I'm not offended at all whether you capitalize or not but I remain unconvinced by your argument from grammar. If you were using God as a common noun it would be "a god" or plural "gods". You wouldn't say, "I don't believe in the concept of diety," you'd say, "I don't believe in the concept of a diety."

[TheFinalWord]

See, I don't think that these are any way remotely "foolish, ignorant controversies". Any discussion has the potential to sink into such a quagmire, but just about any topic is valid.

 

I think it's a good topic to bring light to, because it does seem to be a hangup for some theists when they don't see any and all references to their god capitalised and emphasised. They do think atheists are doing it to deliberately push their buttons. And, in some cases, they would be right. But at least anyone that is prepared to entertain new information can now see that this isn't the case.

 

The result is that there is potentially now one less reason to get defensive and snarky in discussions, and this will improve the quality of discourse.

 

So I'm glad it happened.

 

I know you don't, we just see things differently. No problem-o.

 

You're a cut above the rest quickjoe

[TheFinalWord]

If only I could control my anger issues, I'd be darn near perfect.

 

haha you're okay

 

It's easy to get annoyed when dealing with people with completely opposite views, limited to all but one (two if you count the smilies) mediums of communication, and me who comes along and interjects a post in the middle of another discussion haha It's not on purpose, I'm just clumsy sometimes You have your anger, I have my ill-planted posts. It's all a work in progress

[JamesM]

I will just repeat and elaborate on my response from the other thread:

 

In correct grammar, "god" can be referred to in the same way as "man" or "karma" or "love" or "evil", all of which are collective or singular nouns, none of which are capitalised. "God" is not always a proper noun. It depends on the intention.

 

I, for instance, am almost never referring to a singular being when I use the word; but a collective noun that encompasses whatever mental image of a deity the other person(s) might have. You might think this is splitting hairs, but to me it isn't given just how personal and subjective each believer's take on god actually is. If I refer specifically to the Bible god, I usually refer to him as exactly that.

 

At any rate, and I think this point merits emphasis given that you've gone out of your way to complain about other peoples' grammar, it's no less correct than the theist habit of gratuitously capitalising prounouns in reference to their god, such as "He" and "His" and so on.

 

Beams and motes, methinks.

 

I think it is clear that these links show that when a name, then either Zeus, God, Diana, or any other deity should be capitalized according to the rules of grammar. If it is stated as the god of the Bible, then no, it does not need to be capitalized.

 

And yes, many theists (including myself at times) go overboard in capitalizing every pronoun related to God. This is incorrect according to grammatical rules.

 

You and any other person who so desires is certainly free to ignore the rules, but as someone who is a stickler on spelling and grammar...yes, I notice this and other "broken rules." It is a fault of mine.

Edited September 23, 2012 by JamesM

[JamesM]

See, I don't think that these are any way remotely "foolish, ignorant controversies". Any discussion has the potential to sink into such a quagmire, but just about any topic is valid.

 

I think it's a good topic to bring light to, because it does seem to be a hangup for some theists when they don't see any and all references to their god capitalised and emphasised. They do think atheists are doing it to deliberately push their buttons. And, in some cases, they would be right. But at least anyone that is prepared to entertain new information can now see that this isn't the case.

 

The result is that there is potentially now one less reason to get defensive and snarky in discussions, and this will improve the quality of discourse.

 

So I'm glad it happened.

 

Your use in this case is grammatically correct.

 

I will ignore it from now on out and assume you have your reasons as do others. Grammatical rules are meant to be broken anyhow.

[mercy]

If only I could control my anger issues, I'd be darn near perfect.

 

I'll pray for your perfection!