Don't call gods God

A suggestion for all Atheists, Agnostics, Freethinkers, Skeptics, Secularists, Humanists, and Non-Religious...
The challenge is simple and subtle, yet requires diligence and perseverance.
The suggestion is this...
Refrain from using the word "God" as a proper noun. When talking about a specific god, use that god's name. The most relevant, of course, are Yahweh, Allah and Elohim.
Why do this? What's the point?
When referring to a believers god by name, you are depriving that god its imaginary exalted status of being the only one, true god, and forcing the believer to put his/her god into perspective with all the countless others. By referring to these gods by name and abandoning the blanket term God, we force the believer to consider the character of these gods as individuals with their own unique nature, attributes, personalities, and desires. By doing such a simple of a task, we are placing a tiny seed into the subconscious of our culture about the nature of these gods.
Their god does not deserve the status of God. No god does. At least not until they can demonstrate that their god is the one, true god.
Until then, their ancient idols should remain as they are, one of many and nothing special.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Atheists
• Agnostics
• Freethinkers
• Skeptics
• Secularists
• Humanists
• Non-Religious
• God
• gods
• Yahweh
• Allah
• Elohim

[Blackmark52]

Being specific is thoughtful semantics and helps arguments maintain integrity. I like the divide and conquer concept in the video.

I have always been careful when capitalizing God, but have never made much use of specific names (other than Jesus or Christ) because often I want to make it clear that, while excluding other religions, my comments are directed at Islam and Judaism as much as at Christianity. For this reason I have considered using GOA (God of Abraham).

[1140Cecile]

I also try to use either Yeshua or Joshua when talking about Jesus as that was the name he was given at birth. I too will use the term "god of Abram" or "god of Abraham" depending on with whom I'm talking. The thing is, very few religionists today would believe a person living today if they claimed to be God or even "speak to God" and they should be reminded that they are choosing to believe what a few uneducated and superstitious people from ancient times claimed to be the truth.

[MyContext]

I can actually use this... modified for the occasion of course...thanks...

[solsticedj]

I personally try to use deity or its plural whenever possible. Buddha, Allah, Shiva, Yahweh, Darth Vader, Sauron, mars, Huitzilopochtli, kukulkan etc., they all have great literary meaning to me but to be force fed dogma, no thanks. If you find solace in religion, would for you but don't force it down the rest of our throats.

Si deus si dea

[zarkoff45]

Good idea.

There is an old tradition among atheists that when asked "Do you believe in God" to say "What do you mean by God?"

[Acage69]

then u fail

[cathiefredrickson]

Right on, great idea!!!!!

[Blackmark52]

"very few religionists today would believe a person living today if they claimed to be God"

Some people will believe anything. Rastas believe Haile Selassie was God, or Jesus reincarnate. Though Selassie never overtly claimed to be God, he never denied it either. And some modern day cult leaders come damn close to pronouncing themselves God.

[aartvegan]

Right on.

[HeyDuffy459]

Brilliant, subtle (yes), but so important. I will make an effort to do this. Since most of my videos are about the Abrahamic "god" I guess I'll say Yahweh.