yguy

I think it's because there's a part of them that thinks they're Him. Otherwise I don't know why they'd take it personally.

beastmaster

Well, technically, it's ungrammatical to write god with a lower-case g when you are using the word as a title. This is a grammatical rule of general applicability and is not designed to privilege religion. For example, grammar requires that the word mother be capitalized when used as a title: "Have you heard from Mother lately?"

I can see how Xns might be offended if someone consciously *ignores* a rule of grammar out of apparent disrespect for their religion. To write god in lower case when it should be capitalized according to standard grammar seems like a contrivance to purposefully dishonor their beliefs.

Of course, this is an internet bulletin board and who gives a fuck about grammar? But if I were posting on a Xn board I would adhere to the rules of grammar if for no other reason than to deprive my enemies of any ammunition whatsoever.

Now, capitalizing the h in he or him is not grammatical -- it's a pure honorific. Xns have no cause to expect anyone to adhere to their conventions of honorifics.

kctan

Who said god ain't capitalized ? It's a freaking multi billion industry !

Anyone ever got any scoop on how much the vatican is raking in a year ? That's just for one part of xianity alone.

Family Man

If I'm talking about the specific Christian god in a discussion, I will capitalize god simply because it is convention. If, on the other hand, I am talking about the concept of god -- as I am in this post -- I don't capitalize.

It also helps me make a distinction between the two concepts.

Rational BAC

Beastmaster had the best take on this. It is one of the many grammar rules educated people are supposed to learn by the 6th grade or so---whether it makes any sense at all. After all, all those silly rules were made up centuries ago. I rarely feel I have to follow rules that some ding-a-ling (long dead) decided was "best".

I never learned the rules of capitilisation very well myself and always make mistakes. I don't capitalize america or france or mother or tuesday or the fourth of july----so many times because I forget whether they are supposed to be capitalized or not----(and different languages do have different rules about that anyway--which seriously confuses the issue)

And most people are kinda stupid about such things just like me.------so I rarely get caught on it.

So capitalize God or not. Nobody pays much attention anyway----Those who know better probably won't think you are making any kind of statement--will just think you didn't know any better and that you might also write down that you went to germany in the month of august and happened to see president bush there.

dirkduck

What I'd like to know is why Christians have to spell "lord" in all capitals. Sure it is gramatically correct to capitalize the g in "god", but certainly not L O R and D!

Beleg_Strongbow

I also find it very annoying when they capitalize pronouns referring to "God", that is just bad grammar. Do they think it will make gawd happy if pronouns are capitalized? Talk about low self-esteem.

Biff the unclean

What I was taught in the lower grades by the good sisters back in Ireland was that if you were writing about a mythical god like Zeus you always used the lower case. If you were writing about the real god you always used upper case.
Which would mean that you should never use upper case.

Groovy Cosmic Monkey

Bad grammar? How so?

Viti

Grammar does dictate capitalizing pronouns like 'he' or 'him' but most Christians do when referring to God.