The real problem with siting a dictionary definition is that the vast majority of them do not distinguish between capitalized and not capitalized words. Thus, it’s hard to tell when there is a difference. Also, the definition you gave ends with “in monotheistic religions”. Well, I don’t follow a monotheistic religion so how does that fit for mine? I do think I understand your point though: that the capitalized word is reserved for the HIGHEST position or a SPECIFIC position. That’s a valid point of view. I however see the word as a title rather than a name. You wouldn’t call someone “mister Smith” or “lord Erin” because that’s not proper. A proper title is capitalized as well as a proper name. As someone else pointed out, I view it a respect issue. I would be disrespecting my Deities if I didn’t use the proper title. Now, I DO also use the capitalized form when referring to the one you believe in because that is proper as well. This really isn’t about semantics though, it’s about perspective and what is important to each person. Obviously, you and I have some very different perspectives on religion :) I’m simple writing to communicate that there might be a perspective that you’ve not seen before. As someone who is not you, All I can do is show you something and let you form your own opinion. And, as someone who is not you, all I SHOULD do is show you something and let you form your own opinion.

As for the naming of Deity in game paralleling real life, well that would be in violation of their own naming standards. That would bother me because I don’t like to be told that rules apply differently to different people. It would also bother me if they got it wrong. However, after I realized that it was getting to me I would choose to not let it bother me any more because I know the difference and that would be the end of it. What someone else does is their own choice. Where does my freedom of belief end an another’s freedom begin? If that line gets pushed too far one way or the other, someone’s freedom is being pushed aside. The responsibility I have is to allow the other person a level of freedom that is equal to mine. (Again, this is all my beliefs so of COURSE I think I’m right :) but I understand it’s MY opinion and not nessessarily anyone elses.)

BTW, Thank you. It’s refreshing to disagree with someone on a subject such as this and NOT feel like it’s turning into an attack :)


As to another: Sadly, you are probably right. And referring to is as saddening is probably something that my counterpoint and I would agree on. :)

Morani

Edited, Wed Oct 23 16:19:07 2002