Subj : Re: "Hams to the Rescue After Katrina" MSNBC News Article To : alt.ham-radio.vhf-uhf From : Gary S. Date : Tue Sep 27 2005 12:46:05 From Newsgroup: alt.ham-radio.vhf-uhf On Mon, 26 Sep 2005 15:55:29 -0500, Matt Osborn <> wrote: >On Mon, 26 Sep 2005 12:27:58 +0000 (UTC), "Reg Edwards" > wrote: > >>> Your belief in no G-d is no different than any belief in G-d. >> >>==================================== >> >>It is noticed that you are sufficiently superstitious and afraid of >>the deity even to use, in print, the full name and description of >>"god". >> >>How do you manage in normal conversation to convey your ideas? > >It is a convention that I have adopted as a courtesy to those who have >taken a vow to protect the written word. It costs me nothing and >relieves a good deal of angst for those who have taken such a vow. > >-- msosborn at msosborn dot com In Judaism, it has been long tradition to never speak or write the full name of G_d, instead substituting "Adonai" (Hebrew meaning "lord, ruler"). In reading the Torah aloud, when seeing the name of G_d, one would say Adonai. In other texts, the "G_d" or similar are used. I would imagine that other religions based on the Torah/Old Testament have similar. Blasphemy includes the improper use of certain names. Most people understand, and some who do not use this convention themselves do respect it, as does mosborn. There is a difference between sharing someone else's beliefs, and respecting them. This goes both ways, of course. A believer should respect the rights of others to not believe, or to believe differently. This opinion not shared by all. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) -- At the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom .