Thread: God's Name

I've noticed that many Russians use the name of God rather freely, as if it's no taboo at all (contrary to the English culture). If I understand correctly, "О Боже мой!" doesn't precisely translate to "Oh my God!": the former is perfectly acceptable, the latter is almost cursing.

Is that so? Is "using God's name in vain" considered disrespectful/rude/vulgar in any way similar to the way it is English?

Hmm, well, "god" is not, strictly speaking, his name. God's name is Jesus and we don't use it as frequently as they do in English. And we almost never mention Jehovah.

Originally Posted by Ramil

Hmm, well, "god" is not, strictly speaking, his name. God's name is Jesus and we don't use it as frequently as they do in English. And we almost never mention Jehovah.

"God " , is Gods name , Jesus , while being God , is in the Holy trinity along with the Holy Ghost . So yeah , God is His name .

Originally Posted by Will

"God " , is Gods name , Jesus , while being God , is in the Holy trinity along with the Holy Ghost . So yeah , God is His name .

I disagree. If so, why do we use the word 'god' when referring to pagan gods (Greek, Roman, Scandinavian, etc)? God is a noun distinguishing deity from ordinary human being. While the Father's name is Jehovah, the Son's name is Jesus and only the Holy Spirit doesn't have a name we know of.

Originally Posted by Ramil

And we almost never mention Jehovah.

Mentioning _________ is just a silly thing to do.

Interesting comment by Ramil.

I guess Misha is referring to something along the lines of this.

Originally Posted by Commandment #2 from Exodus

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

I.e. one should NOT say "Oh my God", Jeeesus Christ!!! or anything like that.

I have noticed that Russians say "Боже мой" quite a bit, but it never sounded very bad to me. To me, that expression seemed more like "Oh dear" which is really innocent in English.
I think it's particularly older people that seem to use "Боже мой" in films. Am I right? What precisely does it mean?

More on this topic:
My Russian text book made a specific point of saying that the word "бог" should not be capitalized in Russian. (It's not explaining the reason, but I would guess that this is a post-1917 "spelling rule", or what do you think? Also, it didn't explain why the pronunciation is more like "бох", but I guess it might be old fashioned spelling. )

For info: This should be capitalized in English, although lately here in England there is a quite aggressive atheistic campaign going on (they even advertise on the buses and in the Underground!! ) They make a big point of not capitalizing the word, contrary to normal spelling rules. Personally I dislike this campaign.

Originally Posted by Hanna

More on this topic:
My Russian text book made a specific point of saying that the word "бог" should not be capitalized in Russian. (It's not explaining the reason, but I would guess that this is a post-1917 "spelling rule", or what do you think?

Yes, you are right. In modern Russian it works like in English. If you are Christian and writing about Jesus oh Jehovah you should capitalize the word Бог. And if you are mentioning some pagan god you should not.

Originally Posted by Hanna

For info: This should be capitalized in English, although lately here in England there is a quite aggressive atheistic campaign going on (they even advertise on the buses and in the Underground!! ) They make a big point of not capitalizing the word, contrary to normal spelling rules. Personally I dislike this campaign.

But in that image the word "GOD" IS capitalized, all the letters are capitalized.

I don't think that using God's name in vain is considered particularly rude in most modern English speaking communities (at least in Britain and most of America).

Using "Jesus" or, particularly, "Christ", can be considered more rude (although I still use both of these freely, but then again I swear far too much...)

Originally Posted by Misha Tal

I've noticed that many Russians use the name of God rather freely, as if it's no taboo at all (contrary to the English culture). If I understand correctly, "О Боже мой!" doesn't precisely translate to "Oh my God!": the former is perfectly acceptable, the latter is almost cursing.

Is that so? Is "using God's name in vain" considered disrespectful/rude/vulgar in any way similar to the way it is English?

Using word "god" and all corresponding names in vain is quite normal in colloquial speech in Russian. According to Hollywood movies it is also quite normal in USA. And according to the text of "Arabian nights" it is also quite normal in Islamic tradition. Russian Jews use something like "Б-г" instead of "Бог", which looks funny.

The word "god" as such is not a name. It's a bit different for "Allah" because while today it is no different from the word "God" or "Lord" anymore, it used to be a personal name when this god was still one among many and had two female divine consorts, one of whom, by the way, was originally worshipped in the Kaaba. The three monotheistic religions all share the same roots and have added elements from pagan traditions to their respective views.

The name of the Biblical god is variously given as YHVH, from which is rendered Jehovah or Jahwe, which is also referred to as Tetragrammaton (i.e. the four letters, and I much enjoy the fact that god is a four-letter word), and as El or Elohim, which in the first case is very much a title like "Lord". Practically every city in the Fertile Crescent area used to have an individual city god prior to the monotheistic conversion, and that god was usually referred to as El or Baal. Yes, the Biblical name used in lots of places throughout the bible texts and Baal are just different renditions of the same title. This jealous god is jealous because of competition on equal terms. And Elohim happens to be a plural form of the same title, used for example in Genesis, so it's not even god but the gods who create heaven and earth. But of course a plural is not a plural in the eyes of the pious, because it can't be allowed.

A little historical research into religion goes a long way, really. It's a very interesting topic for rational discussion.

For that reason I do not dislike that campaign as shown in Hanna's photo, which by the way was not confined to Great Britain. After all, why should there be a religious monopoly on proselytism? We need a new enlightenment if you ask me.

I recommend the following thought:

"I contend that we are all atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen L. Roberts

Originally Posted by bitpicker

A little historical research into religion goes a long way, really. It's a very interesting topic for rational discussion.

Yo, man, good stuff!!

Right. That was perhaps a bit of a inaccuracy on my part. Actually, my question was provoked by this passage:

"Значит, тебе их жаль? — сказал тогда Каширин. — А мне их не жаль? Ты у меня за них просишь! А мне у кого просить? У царя небесного? Кто за чужой счет добрый, тот сволочь."

It sounds sarcastic, but do you find it rude too?

Originally Posted by Misha Tal

"Значит, тебе их жаль? — сказал тогда Каширин. — А мне их не жаль? Ты у меня за них просишь! А мне у кого просить? У царя небесного? Кто за чужой счет добрый, тот сволочь."

It sounds sarcastic, but do you find it rude too?

It is as rude as any sarcasm, no more.

The subject of God's name is quite confusing..!
After reading Will's post I recalled this passage in the Bible. It suggests that the name of God is "I AM".

Originally Posted by Exodus

13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
14And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

I believe that Christians, Jews and Moslems worship the same God, and as far as I am aware the Islamic name for God is "Allah" - where does that come from ?

Turning into a very interesting thread!

Originally Posted by Ramil

Hmm, well, "god" is not, strictly speaking, his name. God's name is Jesus and we don't use it as frequently as they do in English. And we almost never mention Jehovah.

I always thought that God’s son was named Jesus. Never heard God referred to as Jesus.

Originally Posted by it-ogo

Russian Jews use something like "Б-г" instead of "Бог", which looks funny.

My Nana, the one who passed a way this year at 106 who was from Austria, she always used to write, “G-d willing” in her letters to me. Like, “G-d willing I will see you in November.” She was the only person I knew who did that!

Originally Posted by Hanna

The subject of God's name is quite confusing..!
After reading Will's post I recalled this passage in the Bible. It suggests that the name of God is "I AM".



I believe that Christians, Jews and Moslems worship the same God, and as far as I am aware the Islamic name for God is "Allah" - where does that come from ?

I AM = English translation of the Hebrew word "Yahweh". "Yahweh" is often used to mean the Jewish God or the God of the old testament (as opposed to the God of the new testament, the God of Islam, etc.)

I think "Allah" is simply the Arabic word for "God", although I could be wrong. (Also the spelling "Moslem" is outdated in English, it's normally spelt "Muslim" now.)

Originally Posted by rockzmom

I always thought that God’s son was named Jesus. Never heard God referred to as Jesus.

According to the doctrine of the trinity, God is three in one, but each part is fully God (Jesus is both fully God and fully man). However, it wouldn't sound right to me to say that "according to Christianity, Jesus created the world". The doctrine of the trinity is very confusing and contradictory. Much easier to go by the message of the British humanists (as in Hanna's earlier post) - "There's probably no God, now stop worrying and enjoy your life".

Originally Posted by Demonic_Duck

I AM = English translation of the Hebrew word "Yahweh". "Yahweh" is often used to mean the Jewish God or the God of the old testament (as opposed to the God of the new testament, the God of Islam, etc.)

I think "Allah" is simply the Arabic word for "God", although I could be wrong. (Also the spelling "Moslem" is outdated in English, it's normally spelt "Muslim" now.)
According to the doctrine of the trinity, God is three in one, but each part is fully God (Jesus is both fully God and fully man). However, it wouldn't sound right to me to say that "according to Christianity, Jesus created the world". The doctrine of the trinity is very confusing and contradictory. Much easier to go by the message of the British humanists (as in Hanna's earlier post) - "There's probably no God, now stop worrying and enjoy your life".

Well , if you think there is no god why do you wish that people would just " go on with there lives " . I think the people who believe no god exists should go on with there lives and stop bothering others , seriously , if you think no god exists , why do you try SOOO hard to stop people from worshiping one ????

Originally Posted by rockzmom

I always thought that God’s son was named Jesus. Never heard God referred to as Jesus.

Depending on what your religion says. But in Christianity Jesus is a God.

Originally Posted by Ramil

Depending on what your religion says. But in Christianity Jesus is a God.

Maybe in your branch of Christianity but not on this side of the world. If that were the case, does that mean that the God was crucified? I really am confused by this as I have never heard this God being referred to as Jesus or as them being one in the same.