(January 24, 2011 at 9:31 pm)thesummerqueen Wrote: 1) The word's intrinsic value does not change simply because you changed the spelling. In fact, you look quite foolish spelling "pray" as "prey" since we have agreed that one means one thing and the other means another. Spelling "god" as "gawd" will not do anything as in context they both mean the same thing. And while some people find humor in spelling "Jesus" as "Jebus", it reminds me too much of my childhood spent not spelling "God" because it would offend The Lord, and thus we wrote "G-d" because Jews are afraid of proper names or some shit. You are perpetuating the idea that the "proper" spelling somehow has power simply by deciding you have to disrespect it in that way.
2) Well hello. Welcome to the forums. May I ask where you're from? What brought you here? Could you give us a brief run down of why you're a non-theist?
Worrying about people who clearly don't believe in god saying "Oh my god" is as bad as those fuckwits who think the English language is slowly dying simply because we use curse words. This is one of the phrases we use when we're expressing astonishment, wonder, fear, or disbelief. I'd say "Oh my Invisible Pink Unicorn!!" but it takes too damn long to say.
TSQ,
Thank you for the thoughtful and comprehensive response.
Before posting I read the list of rules (guidelines?) and realized there is a substantial emphasis on proper grammar and careful spelling. Therefore, it is understandable why my idea to use words such as gawd might seem childish, annoying and problematic. You are correct in saying the context does not change. What does change however is the awareness of how often these magical words are used in day-to-day communication. Here it the forum, constantly misspelling words would become tedious and annoying. I agree. This is because the intent of forum is to discuss religion. Therefore, unpractical. However, in real-world communications, I recommend it. At a minimum, stay away from magical words (hope, faith, wish, etc.). It is not because I expect these words to disappear, but as a tool to create an awareness of how often these words are used and have become part of our lexicon. At the expense of possibly being banned from the forum for bad grammar, I will personally continue to use the word gawd.
In answer to your questions.... I am originally from New England. I moved to the babble belt in the early 70's, after military and marriage. I was a member of this board years ago. I got flamed relentlessly for insulting a joo. (*Man, TSQ is gonna hate that word/spelling.) I forget the context and tried to retract, but the damage was done. It seems like all faiths are fair game for stomping except one.
I am a nontheist. It's difficult but very satisfying. You will not find me in a verbal arena arguing the nuts and bolts of the babble, any ancient document or dogma. To me it's like arguing which Eather bunny tastes best. Or if Santa Clown is real. Fuck it. Save the dog-chasing-tail arguments for the fence-sitting atheist. I want to scrub the world clean of the scourge called religion and all the wars, trauma and hate that tags along with it.
I don't hate, despise or look down any individual victimized by religion. They are merely victims. For the most part, they are so wrapped up in their beliefs, they are unreachable zombies. The way I figure it, at lease here where atheist hang, my views have a possibility of gaining some traction. My thoughts and methods may seem radical to some, but I write that off as their inability to reverse the cradle-to-grave relentless day-to-day brain washing indoctrination to the quicksand known as religion. They too are victims.
Hey, I just thought of something. You are welcome to use it.... "Religion Is NOT A Victimless Crime".
JJ
Religion Is NOT A Victimless Crime
