Pronoun Capitalization

[ThomM]

Christians: why do you capitalize pronouns and other types of words when referring to your god?

I ask, because it feels like I'm hearing a sermon when I read writing stylized that way.

When I went to catholic school - I was taught that you always capitalize when referring to the true god - and not when referring to the fake ones.

That is why I always use lower case - there are no true gods!

[Cyberman]

The word holy literally means set apart. Capitalization serves to divide the sacred from the mundane. It is also a sign of respect.

That's probably why I never bother with that. Until the sacred earns its distinction of being anything other than mundane, or even existent at all, then I withhold my respect.

[Neo-Scholastic]

The word holy literally means set apart. Capitalization serves to divide the sacred from the mundane. It is also a sign of respect.

Is it the same in translations?

I don't know. Personally, I like the Thou and Thy references.

[The Valkyrie]

I find it interesting that they use personal pronouns for their gods at all. It just seems ridiculous to talk about supreme creators and ultimate fundamental powers in terms of "he" and "him". I always use "it" myself; if nothing else I hope it rattles a few cages.

Ditto. I generally use "it" as well.

I've heard it claimed that the masculine usage is just for convenience and that god is sexless. If that's the case, why bother? "It" seems more suitable.

[Neo-Scholastic]

It doesn't really make much sense. Especially since God actually has other names and titles he goes by.

Usually those are capitalized too, e.g. Almighty.

[Tonus]

I generally saw it as separating a being who is supreme (God/He/Him) from other uses of the term (god/he/him). Since the God I once worshiped is now of the same status to me as the others, he is now god. I'm used to the masculine pronoun so I am comfortable with that, though I occasionally use "she" when I'm feeling snarky. I suppose that "it" would be most accurate but doesn't feel natural.

[Neo-Scholastic]

I find it interesting that they use personal pronouns for their gods at all. It just seems ridiculous to talk about supreme creators and ultimate fundamental powers in terms of "he" and "him". I always use "it" myself; if nothing else I hope it rattles a few cages.

Ditto. I generally use "it" as well.

I've heard it claimed that the masculine usage is just for convenience and that god is sexless. If that's the case, why bother? "It" seems more suitable.

Because "it" is impersonal. A personal god requires a personal pronoun. Plus, even though YHVH does not have a specific gender, in Christianity our relationship with God is like that of a father and his children. So using the male pronoun is more of a doctrinal reference.

[Fruity]

this morning I had Bacon for Breakfast. I was Thinking of morning Sex, too, but got none. this made Me Think about all the things I want, but don't have. for example, I want Beer right now, but not the kind that is waiting in the Refrigerator. I also want to Travel. I also want to have a button that could shift Me from being a Woman to a Man in seconds and back, whenever I want. I would also like to have a Redhead sitting on my keyboard right now. that would be nice. She could have nice Boobs and Play with Them. or I could have a Brunette Male sitting on my keyboard. He could have a nice Sausage and let Me Play with It. anyway, I had to stop Thinking about the things I want and focused on the Things I do have. like... Me. I'm awesome.


there. from now on I only capitalize references to My Gods.

[Minimalist]

I never capitalize any god shit...unless it begins a sentence.

[Neo-Scholastic]

I suppose you could pick a worse god than Beer.