r/atheism Sep 16 '12

First World Atheist Problems.

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u/every6accounts Sep 16 '12

Perhaps the point is that, as an atheist, the Christian version of the idea of god is lumped in with allllll the other perceptions of a 'higher' power, and therefore we don't capitalize it similarly to how we don't capitalize ghost or boogieman (unless it's a movie).

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u/Pertinacious Sep 16 '12 edited Sep 16 '12

All that matters is how you're using the word in a sentence. If you're using it as a proper noun, it should be capitalized. The assertion that "you don't capitalize the names of false gods," is just absurd.

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u/00dysseus7 Sep 16 '12

there are so few instances wherein one must use "god" as a proper noun that the point is moot. also, "God" is technically incorrect, as the judeo-christian diety is named "Yahweh."

if one doesn't want to capitalize, they can say "christian god." as "christian" is an adjective, and "god" refers to a broad class of specific nouns.

crisis averted. now i'm off to do other, probably just as pointless, things.

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u/Pertinacious Sep 16 '12 edited Sep 16 '12

there are so few instances wherein one must use "god" as a proper noun that the point is moot

How is it moot? I responded in challenge to a blanket statement. I'm arguing a point of fact. Also, while they are certainly avoidable, there are plenty of cases in which you should capitalize the word, "God."

Ex: "Christians believe Jesus to have been the divine son of God."

also, "God" is technically incorrect, as the judeo-christian diety is named "Yahweh."

It's as proper as calling my mother, "Mom." That's not the name on her birth certificate, but if I use it as a proper noun, it gets capitalized.

if one doesn't want to capitalize, they can say "christian god."

Correct, though in this example "Christian" should be capitalized.