[Buddha-l] Re: G-d damn it

[Benito Carral]

On Monday, March 14, 2005, Richard P. Hayes wrote:

>> It  is  quite  easy  to understand. If one wants to feel as a
>> Jew,  one  has  to  act as a Jew, and in some Jewish circles,
>> Jews write G-d.

> Well, some do, and some don't.

   Sure. :)

> So  I  suppose  that  in  this  matter, as in all other things
> religious,  there  exists a multiplicity of interpretations, a
> fact that precludes the advisability of being dogmatic.

   I  agree.  Here the question is contextual. Some groups write
_G-d,_  some  groups,  you  inform  us,  think  that  that  is a
misinterpretation. Well, I write G-d.


>> Moreover, it is a sign of respect.

> For some Jews it is, for others it is quite the opposite.

   I  was not aware of this fact, but it doesn't surprise me. So
let  me  rephrase  it,  _G-d_  is  a  sign  of  respect for some
individuals.  And  since that is the tradition with which I feel
comfortable, I will keep writing _G-d._


>> I   would  recommend  your  former  colleague  to  take  some
>> meditation classes and relax a bit.

> That  is  not  her tradition. She somehow managed to be one of
> the  most  cheerful,  relaxed  and delightfully funny people I
> have known, all without the benefits of meditation.

   That's good. :) I hope she doesn't drive crazy when she reads
_G-d._


>> In  addition,  _G-d_  would  only be a blasphemy if by such a
>> signifier one meant something different than 'G-d.'

> The  important  point, according to my informants, is not what
> the term signifies. Rather, it is the term itself.

   I know. :) You have asked some people who don't like _G-d._ I
have  asked  some  people  who  like _G-d._ In fact, I have been
talking with a rabbi right now about this issue. He likes _G-d,_
I  can  tell  you. Out of curiosity, do your informants think in
themselves as Orthodox Jews?


> But  I'm  sure if you keep your ears open long enough, you can
> hear  anything you want to hear. And the usual pattern is that
> when  we  hear  what we want to hear, we regard the speaker as
> very wise and authoritative.

   I agree again. :)


> Well,  this  whole  issue is of no consequence to me, and this
> is,  after  all,  a  list  on  Buddhism and not on Judaism, so
> perhaps  enough  has  been  on  this  pointless distraction. I
> apologize for bringing it up.

   I  think  that  it is also a good Buddhist topic, and I thank
you for having brought it up. :)

   Best wishes,

   Beni