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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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 .

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 ????

I think you're misunderstanding me. I didn't say people should or shouldn't believe in God. It makes more sense to me, personally, not to, but people have the right to believe what they believe. I know many people who are religious, who can argue the case for their own belief articulately, and who are genuinely good people. I know just as many atheists who I could say the same for.

The point of the poster campaign is that those who fund it believe that religion is generally a force for evil in the world; similarly to how Christians may fund campaigns to get people to join their church, because they believe that Christianity (or their particular branch of Christianity) is a good in the world and will help people get into heaven. I can't say I agree with either of these positions really, but that's not to say that we shouldn't be able to debate the position of religion in society, or that criticism of religion should somehow be "taboo". It's only when people try to enshrine religion (or lack thereof, such as under communist rule) in law, that I think they've really overstepped the line from exercising their own freedom of expression to curtailing others'.

(Anyway I'm really sorry for turning this topic into a political discussion, I should really learn to keep my mouth shut on internet forums...)

Originally Posted by Demonic_Duck

I think you're misunderstanding me. I didn't say people should or shouldn't believe in God. It makes more sense to me, personally, not to, but people have the right to believe what they believe. I know many people who are religious, who can argue the case for their own belief articulately, and who are genuinely good people. I know just as many atheists who I could say the same for.

The point of the poster campaign is that those who fund it believe that religion is generally a force for evil in the world; similarly to how Christians may fund campaigns to get people to join their church, because they believe that Christianity (or their particular branch of Christianity) is a good in the world and will help people get into heaven. I can't say I agree with either of these positions really, but that's not to say that we shouldn't be able to debate the position of religion in society, or that criticism of religion should somehow be "taboo". It's only when people try to enshrine religion (or lack thereof, such as under communist rule) in law, that I think they've really overstepped the line from exercising their own freedom of expression to curtailing others'.

(Anyway I'm really sorry for turning this topic into a political discussion, I should really learn to keep my mouth shut on internet forums...)

Well , thank you for clearing that up . I just thought you were totally anti religion , so , I must say , I get sort of mad when I see stuff like those posters or bill boards which put down religion .

What about worshiping the sun or Joe Pesci? And Will, what about the divine plan??? Got to admit, George does make sense here. Just so you know, I'm not anti religion here. I just find George's bit insightful and funny... and fits the thread.

George Carlin On Religion

Originally Posted by rockzmom

What about worshiping the sun or Joe Pesci? And Will, what about the divine plan??? Got to admit, George does make sense here. Just so you know, I'm not anti religion here. I just find George's bit insightful and funny... and fits the thread.

Well , you have to remember , people may worship the sun , and Joe pesci , but they are not religions , so I don't care .

Well , you have to remember , people may worship the sun , and Joe pesci , but they are not religions , so I don't care .

Overwhelming majority of people on this planet are totally convinced that Cristianity is not a religion. They don't care either.

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.