Names of God
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{{Redirect|Holy Name}}
The '''Name of God''', or ''Holy Name'' is the name in [[Eastern traditions|Eastern]] or Western spiritual traditions or religions that is used in practice or prayer.<ref name=Baesler2001>{{cite journal
| author = Baesler, E.J.
| year = 2001
| title = The Prayer of the Holy Name in Eastern and Western Spiritual Traditions: A Theoretical, Cross-Cultural, and Intercultural Prayer Dialogue*.
| journal = Journal of Ecumenical Studies
| pages = 196-217
| url = http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&se=gglsc&d=
| accessdate =
}}</ref> [[Conceptions of God]] can vary widely, but the word ''[[God (word)|God]]'' in English and its counterparts in cognate languages are normally used for all or many of them. Other languages have similar generic names or concepts, and a common experience is for the word for "God" in one language to be perceived by speakers of other languages as the name of a specific deity worshipped by speakers of that one language. However some names refer almost exclusively to the supreme being of a single religion, while others are shared among many traditions.
[[Image:Kircher-Diagram of the names of God.png|thumb|295px|A "diagram" of the names of God in [[Athanasius Kircher]]'s ''[[Oedipus Aegyptiacus]]'' (1652–54). The style and form are typical of the [[mysticism|mystical]] tradition, as early [[theology|theologians]] began to fuse emerging [[Age of Enlightenment|pre-Enlightenment]] concepts of [[Categorization|classification]] and organization with [[religion]] and [[alchemy]], to shape an artful and perhaps more ''conceptual'' view of God.]]
==Abrahamic religions==
===Judaism===
{{Main|Names of God in Judaism}}
{{See|Ēl}}
In the Hebrew scriptures (i.e. the Law [[Torah]], plus the Prophets [Nevi-im] and the Holy Writings /Hagiographa [ Kethuvim] the [[Judaism|Jewish]] name of God is considered sacred and, out of deep respect for the name, Jews do not say it.(See Exodus 20:7) The [[tetragrammaton]] ([[Hebrew languages|Hebrew]]:{{Hebrew| יהוה}}, [[English language|English]]: '''YHVH''' or '''YHWH''', these Hebrew consonants named, reading right to left: "yod...heh...vahv...heh.") is the name for the group of four Hebrew symbols which represent the name of God. The Tetragrammaton occurs 6,828 times in the Hebrew text printed in Biblia Hebraica and Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. Neither vowels nor vowel points were used in ancient Hebrew writings, but are usually taken to be "a", "e", "i", "o" or "u." From the Hebrew tetragrammaton modern Christians have adopted pronunciations such as "[[Yahweh]]", "[[Yahveh]]" and "[[Jehovah]]".
Some claim the pronunciation of YHWH has been lost, other authorities say it has not and that it is pronounced ''[[Yahweh]]''. References, such as ''The New [[Encyclopædia Britannica]]'', validate the above by offering additional specifics: <blockquote>Early Christian writers, such as [[Clement of Alexandria]] in the 2nd century, had used a form like [[Yahweh]], and claim that this pronunciation of the [[tetragrammaton]] was never really lost. Other Greek transcriptions also indicated that YHWH should be pronounced [[Yahweh]].<ref>''The New Encyclopædia Britannica'', Vol. 12, 1998, Chicago, IL, article "Yahweh," p. 804.</ref></blockquote>
Clement of Alexandria transliterated the tetragrammaton as Ιαου. The above claims were founded upon the understanding that Clement of Alexandria had transliterated YHWH as Ιαουε in Greek, which is pronounced "Yahweh" in English. However, the final -e in the latter form has been shown as having been a later addition. For a more in-depth discussion of this, see the article [[Yahweh]].
===Christianity===
[[Yahweh]] is a common vocalization{{Fact|date=May 2008}} of God's personal name based on the Hebrew ''tetragrammaton'' (above). Opinions differ as to the most appropriate vowels to be used with the four-letter tetragrammaton. Because of Jewish concerns for avoiding blasphemy, the name was often avoided and replaced with "[[The LORD|{{LORD}}]]" (equivalent to the Hebrew Adonai). Also some other names for God used by Christians are Father, Lord, Heavenly Father, or the Holy Trinity.
'Jehovah', an English rendering of the ''[[tetragrammaton]]'', the four Hebrew letters used by Bible writers to represent the personal name of the supreme deity, is found Tyndale's Bible, in the King James Bible, and in many other translations from that time period onward. (See [[Jehovah]] for more details and examples of usage of this form.)<br />Some claim that the form [[Yahweh]] is an uncertain pronunciation, (in ancient Hebrew, the earliest forms of the tetragrammaton were written without vowels), but the article on [[Yahweh]] details why the traditionally used English word ''Jehovah'' also cannot be 'correct'.<br />
Some avoid using either Yahweh or Jehovah altogether on the basis that the actual pronunciation of the tetragrammaton has been lost in antiquity. Instead they refer to him simply as God, or The Lord.
[[Jesus]] ([[Iesus]], [[Yeshua (name)|Yeshua]], [[Joshua]], or [[Yehoshûa]]) is a Hebraic personal name meaning "Yahweh saves/helps/is salvation",<ref> [[Bible Dictionary]] by William Smith LLD 1948 p.307; [[An Expository Dictionary of NT Words]] by W.E. Vine 1965 edition p.275, Websters English Dictionary; etc. </ref>. ''Christ'' means "the [[anoint]]ed" in [[Greek language|Greek]]. ''Khristos'' is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word [[Messiah]]; while in English the old Anglo-Saxon Messiah-rendering ''hæland'' 'healer' was practically annihilated by the Latin Christ, some cognates such as ''heiland'' in Dutch survive.<br />
In [[Messianic Judaism]], generally regarded as a form of Christianity, YHWH (pre-incarnate) and Yeshua (incarnate) are one and the same, the second Person, with the Father and Ruach haQodesh (the Holy Spirit) being the first and third Persons, respectively, of ha'Elohiym (the Godhead). YHWH is expressed as "haShem," which means 'the Name.'
The less evangelical branch of the [[Religious Society of Friends|Quakers]] often refers to God as [[The Light]]. Another term used is '[[King of Kings]]' or 'Lord of Lords' and [[Names of God in Judaism#YHWH Tzevaot/Sabaoth|Lord of the Hosts]]. Other names used by Christians include [[Ancient of Days]], [[God the Father|Father]]/[[Ab (father)|Abba]], 'Most High' and the [[Biblical Hebrew language|Hebrew]] names [[Elohim]], [[Names of God in Judaism#Shaddai|El-Shaddai]], and [[Names of God in Judaism#Adonai|Adonai]]. Principle, Mind, Soul, Life, Truth, Love, and Spirit are names for God in [[Christian Science]]. These names are considered synonymous and indicative of God's wholeness. The name, "Abba/Father" is the most common
term used for the creator within Christianity, because it was the name Jesus Christ (Yeshua Messiah) himself used to refer to God.
For the Russian Orthodox group [[Imiaslavie]] ("Name glorification"), the name of the God is God himself and can produce miracles.
See also: [[Names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament]].
===Islam===
{{Main|99 Names of God in the Qur'an}}
[[Allah]] is the most frequently used name of God in [[Islam]]. Allah is an Arabic word which means the Supreme Creator. In general conversation, the name Allah refers to the God without any other beside him. It originally simply meant "the God" in Arabic, and was used in pre-Islamic times to refer to a divinity worshiped in [[Mecca]].{{Fact|date=June 2008}} It is properly translated as "Supreme Creator" in English, and seen by Muslims as the same God as of Christianity and Judaism (referred to as "the God of [[Abraham]], [[Isaac]], and [[Jacob]]"). The [[Arabic]] word [[Allah]] is a [[Linguistics|linguistic]] [[cognate]] of the [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] word [[Elohim|Eloah]] and a translation of the [[English language|English]] word "[[god]]", although there are some [[Christian]] [[sect]]s which claim that there is a distinction between their deity and the deity or deities worshiped in either [[Judaism]] or [[Islam]]. Nevertheless, [[Allah]] is the same word in [[Arabic]] used by [[Arab Jews]], [[Druze]] and [[Arab Christians|Christians]] when speaking of God.
In the Islamic point of view, Allah is the only Omnipotent and has the Most Beautiful Names. So anyone can call him by the most beautiful names he may call. (e.g. as stated in 18/110, 20/8, 59/24, 7/180 in Quran.). A well established Islamic tradition enumerates [[Names of God in the Qur'an|99 names of God]], which are his attributes.
Besides those names of [[Qur'an]]ic origin, Muslims of non-Arabic peoples may also sometimes use some other names in their own language which refers to God, e.g. the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] anachronism [[Tanrı]] (originally the pagan Turks' celestial chief god, corresponding to the Ancient Turkish [[Tengri]]), or [[Khoda]] in [[Persian language]] which has the same Indo-European root as god.
===Rastafari===
* '''[[Haile Selassie of Ethiopia|Haile Selassie]]''', "Power of the Trinity". "His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, King of Kings of Ethiopia and Elect of God" (Ge'ez ግርማዊ፡ ቀዳማዊ፡ አፄ፡ ኃይለ፡ ሥላሴ፡ ሞዓ፡ አንበሳ፡ ዘእምነገደ፡ ይሁዳ፡ ንጉሠ፡ ነገሥት፡ ዘኢትዮጵያ፡ ሰዩመ፡ እግዚአብሔር; girmāwī ḳadāmāwī 'aṣē ḫāylē śillāsē, mō'ā 'anbassā za'imnaggada yīhūda nigūsa nagast za'ītyōṗṗyā, siyūma 'igzī'a'bihēr). King of Kings (nəgusä nägäst) is the name of God incarnate in the [[Rastafari movement]]. God is called [[Jah]] and Haile Selassie is called Jah Rastafari, from his precoronation name Ras Tafari Makonnen.
== African religions ==
The belief systems of [[Africa]] are varied and complicated and therefore the following can only provide a basic reference for the monotheistic religions of [[Africa]], whereby [[Islam]], [[Judaism]] and [[Christianity]] are not dealt with specifically. [http://schools-wikipedia.org/wp/g/God.htm]
* [[God]] is called [[Igzi'abihier]] (lit. "Lord of the Universe") or [[Amlak]] (lit. the plural of mlk, "king" or "lord") in the [[Ethiopian Orthodox Church]].
* The [[Maasai]] name for "God" is [[Ngai]], (also spelled:'Ngai, En-kai, [[Enkai]], [[Engai]], Eng-ai) which occurs in the volcano name [[Ol Doinyo Lengai]] ("the mountain of God").
* The [[Shona]] people of [[Zimbabwe]] refer to God primarily as [[Mwari]]. They also use names such as [[Nyadenga]] in reference to his presumed residence in the 'heavens', or [[Musikavanhu]], literally "the Creator".
* The [[Khoi]] names for God are much disputed but generally the following are accepted, [[Thixo]], [[Uthixo]], [[Tsui]], [[Tsui Goab]], [[Gunab]], and [[Touqua]] although it must be remembered that the actual concept of [[God]] may vary from people to people or individual to individual.
* The [[Bushmen]] or [[AbaThwa]] name for God is generally quoted as being [[/Cagn]], the [[mantis God]], however this is also disputed and varies from group to group.
* The [[Zulu]] name for God is [[Nkosi Yezulu]] (lit. the Lord of the Sky) and [[Nkulunkulu]].
* The [[Yoruba]] of [[West Africa]] refer to the highest [[god]], that is the God of gods, the [[Almighty]] as [[Olodumare]].
As it is with many translations by early missionaries, the existing names of God existing in many [[African]] languages were employed in the [[Christian]] [[Bible]] such as Olodumare in the Yoruba version.
* The [[Xhosa]] take their name of [[God]] from the [[Khoi]], [[Uthixo]], and this is considered a powerful and sacred name.
===Ethiopian tribes and their names of the supreme being===
This is a brief list of [[Ethiopian tribes]] and their respective names for the [[Supreme Being]]. As their is no truly standard method for transliterating [[Ethiopic languages]] into the [[Western alphabet]] some names may vary.
* [[Boran]] - [[Waqa]]
* [[Afa]] - [[Yaroz]], [[Robboqua]], [[Fogatza]], [[Musa]], [[Musa Gueza]]
* [[Koma]] - [[Yere Siezi]], [[War]], [[Wal]]
* [[Konso]] - [[Bamballe]], [[Adota]], [[Waq]]
* [[Male]] - [[Sosi]]
* [[Mekan]] - [[Tuma]]
* [[Murle]] - [[Tummu]]
* [[Sangama]] - [[Zabi]]
* [[Sidamo]] - [[Magano]]
* [[Zala]] - [[Taosa]]
==Chinese religions==
{{Main|Chinese terms for God}}
* '''[[Shangdi]]''' 上帝 ([[Hanyu Pinyin]]: shàng dì) (literally ''King Above'') was a supreme God worshipped in ancient [[China]]. It is also used to refer to the Christian God in the [[Standard Mandarin]] Union Version of the [[Bible]]. Likewise, Korean Christians and Vietnamese Christians also use cognates of this name, to refer to the Biblical god.
* '''[[Shen]]''' 神 (lit. ''God'', ''spirit'', or ''deity'') is commonly used to refer to various spirits, including gods, and was adopted by [[Protestant]] missionaries in China to refer to the Christian God. In this context it is usually rendered with a space, " 神", to demonstrate reverence.
* '''[[Zhu]], [[Tian Zhu]]''' 主,天主 (lit. ''Lord'' or ''Lord in Heaven'') is translated from the English word, "Lord", which is a formal title of the Christian God in Mainland China's Christian churches.
* '''[[Tian]]''' 天 (lit. ''sky'' or ''heaven'') is used to refer to the sky as well as a personification of the sky. Whether it possesses sentience in the embodiment of an omnipotent, omniscient being is a difficult question for linguists and philosophers.
==Religions of India==
===Hinduism===
{{Main|Sahasranama|Hare Krishna}}
[[Image:Krishna radha.jpg|thumb|200px| [[Radha]] and [[Krishna]] - Venerated within several traditions of Hinduism as the Supreme God, [[svayam bhagavan]] and his [[shakti]], or as manifestations therof]]
* [[Svayam bhagavan|Bhagavan]] (bhagavān) - "possessing shares, lord", [[Brahman]], [[Paramatma]] (paramātma) - "supreme soul" and [[Ishvara]] (īśvara) - "master, lord", are the terms used for God in the [[Hindu texts|scriptures of Hinduism]]. A number of [[Hinduism|Hindu]] traditions worship a personal form of God or ''Ishvara'', such as [[Vishnu]] or [[Shiva]], whereas others worship the non-personal Supreme cosmic spirit, known as [[Brahman]]. The [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnava]] schools consider [[Vishnu]] as the Supreme God and within this tradition is the [[Vishnu sahasranama]], which is a hymn describing the one thousand names of God (Vishnu). [[Shaivites]] consider [[Shiva]] as the Supreme God in similar way to the followers of Vaishnavism. The Supreme (Ishvara) of Hinduism must not be confused with the numerous deities or gods who are collectively known as [[Deva (Hinduism)|deva]]s.
* [[Brahman]] in [[Sanskrit]] is the unknowable Supreme. [[Aum]] or Om̐, has been seen as the first manifestation of the unmanifest Brahman (the single Divine Ground of Hinduism) that resulted in the phenomenal universe.{{Fact|date=May 2008}}
*'''[[Adi Purusha]]''' (ādipuruṣa) - original [[Purusha]], primordial giant or creator.
* [[Trimurti]] (trimūrti) is the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] "Trinity", although this differs largely from the Christian concept. See: '''[[Brahma]]''', '''[[Vishnu]]''', '''[[Shiva]]'''.
* In [[Vaishnavism]], the [[Vishnu sahasranama]] enumerates names of God. The names of [[Vishnu]]'s [[Dasavatara]] (daśāvatāra) in particular are considered divine names.
* In [[Shaivism]], the [[Shiva sahasranama]] (sahasranāma) enumerates names of God.
*[[Rama]] (Rāma) - as a name for a ''[[nirguna]]'' (nirguṇa) or ''[[saguna]]'' (saguṇa) God. The ''saguna'' Rama is the hero of the ''[[Ramayana]]'' and is venerated as the ideal man. The ''nirguna'' Rama is a formless, attribute-less monotheistic deity. The ''nirguna'' form is especially venerated in ''[[bhakti]]'' literature, such as that of [[Kabir]] and [[Ravidas]], and more recently in the writings of [[Mohandas Gandhi]].
* '''[[Krishna]]''' (Kṛṣṇa) - as a name of personal God, ''[[svayam bhagavan]]'' ([[IAST]] {{IAST|svayambhagavān}}) or lord Himself.<ref name=Gupta2007>{{cite book
| author = Gupta, Ravi M.
| coauthors =
| year = 2007
| title = Caitanya Vaisnava Vedanta of Jiva Gosvami
| publisher = Routledge
| isbn =
}} p.36 </ref> In Krishna-centered schools of [[Vaishnavism]] - [[Madhva]], [[Nimbarka]], [[Vallabha]] and [[Caitanya]] - [[Krishna]] in particular is held as the personal aspect of God<ref>[http://srimadbhagavatam.com/1/3/28/en1 Krishna explained in Srimad Bhagavatam]</ref> based on the descriptions of him within the [[Bhagavata Purana]] and [[Mahabharata]] (with particular reference to the [[Bhagavad-Gita]]<ref> [http://vedabase.net/bg/10/12-13/en1 B-Gita Chapter 10, texts 12-13] </ref>).
===Sikhism===
{{main|God in Sikhism}}
Some of the popular names for God in Sikhism are:
* '''[[Ek Onkar]]''' meaning ''One Creator''. "Ek" means "One"; "Onkar" means "Creator".
* '''[[Satnam]]''' meaning ''True Name'', some are of the opinion that this is a name for God in itself, others believe that this is an adjective used to describe the 'Gurmantar', Waheguru (See below)
* '''[[Waheguru]]''', meaning ''Wonderful Teacher'', this name is considered the greatest among Sikhs, and it is known as 'Gurmantar', the Guru's Word.
* '''[[Bhagat]] Vachhal''' meaning ''Lover of His Saints''
* '''[[Hari]]''' meaning ''Glowing, Shining, Vitalising'' - Absolute Name of God
* '''[[Govinda]]''' meaning ''Preserver of the World''
* '''[[Bhagavan]]''' meaning ''Lord or Supreme being''
God according to [[Guru Nanak]] is beyond full comprehension by [[human]]s; has endless number of virtues; takes on innumerable forms; and can be called by an infinite number of names thus "''Your Names are so many, and Your Forms are endless. No one can tell how many Glorious Virtues You have''."<ref>''Guru Granth Sahib'' p. 358 </ref>
===Jainism===
There are no direct names of God in [[Jainism]]. However, [[Mahavir]] and other 'prophets' or 'perfected beings' are known as ''[[Tirthankar]]'' (literally 'Fordmaker') or ''Jina''.
===Buddhism===
[[Buddhism]] of the [[Theravada]] tradition sees Buddha is not thought of as divine, however in many [[Mahayana]] schools the Buddha is conceived as the eternal, imperishable essence of all phenomena.
The [[Pure Land]] schools of Buddhism in China and Japan revere the [[Nembutsu]], the formulaic name of [[Amida Buddha]] (Namu Amida Butsu), as the sole method in this latter age of "degenerate [[Dharma]]" ([[mappo]]) for birth in the Pure Land after earthly death. [[Shinran]], the founder of the Japanese Pure Land sect of [[Jodo Shinshu]], went so far as to declare the Name as the same as Amida and his characteristics ([[Infinite Light]] and [[Infinite Life]]).
==Religions in classical antiquity==
===Pharaonic Egypt===
* '''[[Aten]]''' is the earliest name of a supreme being associated with monotheistic thought, being the solar divinity which [[Akhenaten]] had declared the only god of the state cult, as part of his wholesale absolutist reforms, thereby threatening the position on the various temple priesthoods, which had the old polytheism restored immediately after his death. See also the [[Great Hymn to the Aten]] .
===Roman religion===
While some of the older deities have names long pre-dating the [[Latins|Latin]] people the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] belong to, and even more were adopted with their [[autochthonous]] names (or Latinized in a recognizable way), many minor divinities were named simply as personifications of various minor aspects of daily life. [[Latin]] also prominently used an abstract word for god, ''deus'' (hence deity and, from its adjective ''divinus'', divinity), from [[Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European]] root ''deiwos'', also the root of words for "sky" and "day" – the god-sense is originally "shining," but "whether as originally sun-god or as lightener" is not now clear; the [[epithet]] ''Deus Optimus Maximus'', DOM "Best and Greatest God", coined for [[Jupiter (mythology)|Jupiter]], the [[pater familias]] of the Roman [[Pantheon (gods)|pantheon]], was later adopted in Christianity, as well as ''Deus''.
===Mithras===
The name of this [[Persia]]n god of light, one of the earliest Indic words we possess, being found in clay tablets from [[Anatolia]] dating to about 1500 B.C, reported in English only since 1551, is from Latin, derived from the Greek [[Mithras]]. This was in turn derived from [[Avestan]] ''Mithra-'', possibly from an [[Indo-Iranian languages|Indo-Iranian]] root ''mitram'' "contract," whence ''mitras'' "contractual partner, friend," conceptualized as a god, or, according to Kent, first the [[epithet]] of a divinity and eventually his name; from proto-Indo-Germanic root base ''mei-'' "to bind"; related to Sanskrit [[Mitra (Vedic)|Mitra]], a Vedic deity associated with [[Varuna]].
==Other traditions==
* '''Xwedê''' is the term used for God in the [[Yazidi]] religion and in [[Kurdish language|Kurdish]].
* '''[[Abraxas]]''' is a god uniting the [[dualism|dualistic]] concepts in [[Gnosticism]]. See also [[Monad (Gnosticism)]].
* '''[[Cao Dai|Cao Đài]]''' is the name of God in [[Cao Dai|Caodaism]].
===Zoroastrianism===
* '''[[Ahura Mazda]]''' "Lord of Light" or "Lord Wisdom" (wisdom and light being synonymous in either case) is the name of the supreme benevolent god in [[Zoroastrianism]]. Zoroastrians today may refer to Ahura-Mazda as 'Ormazd,' simply being a contraction of the original term.
===Bahá'í Faith===
[[Bahá'í Faith|Bahá'ís]] refer to God using the local word for ''God'' in whatever language is being spoken.
Bahá'ís often, in prayers, refer to God to by titles and attributes, such as the Mighty, the All-Powerful, the Merciful, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Generous, the All-Wise, the Incomparable, the Gracious, the Helper, the All-Glorious, the Omniscient. Since the languages in which the Bahá'í Faith was first authored were Arabic and Persian, the term '''[[Allah]]''' and other "names" are used in some specific contexts, even by non-Arabic speakers. The above-mentioned attributes are sometimes referred to in their Arabic form - for instance Bahá'ís refer to "Bahá" (meaning Glory or Splendour) or any derivation thereof (ex. Al-Abhá, or The Most Glorious) as the [[Bahá'í symbols|Greatest Name]] of God.
===Deism and Pantheism===
In [[Deism]] and [[Pantheism]], and in variations of these like [[Pandeism]] and [[Panentheism]], God is sometimes referred to as ''[[Deus]]'' (pronounced Day-us), the Latin word for ''god'', which gave rise to the word Deism. Believers in Pantheistic or Pandeistic systems equate God with the Universe, and may refer to God by that term (sometimes using the definite article and referring to God as "the Deus").
==Taboos==
Several religions advance [[taboo]]s related to names of their gods. In some cases, the name may never be spoken, or only spoken by inner-circle [[initiate]]s, or only spoken at prescribed moments during certain [[ritual]]s. In other cases, the name may be freely spoken, but when written, taboos apply. It is common to regard the written name of one's god as deserving of [[respect]]; it ought not, for instance, be stepped upon or dirtied. It may be permissible to burn the written name when there is no longer a use for it.
===Judaism===
Most observant [[Jew]]s forbid discarding holy objects, including any document with a name of God written on it. Once written, the name must be preserved indefinitely. This leads to several noteworthy practices:
* Commonplace materials are written with an intentionally abbreviated form of the name. For instance, a Jewish letter-writer may substitute "G-d" for the name ''God''. Thus, the letter may be discarded along with ordinary trash. (Note that not all Jews agree that non-Hebrew words like ''God'' are covered under the prohibition.)
* Copies of the [[Torah]] are, like most [[scripture]]s, heavily used during [[worship]] services, and will eventually become worn out. Since they may not be disposed of in any way, including by burning, they are removed, traditionally to the [[synagogue]] [[attic]]. ''See'' [[genizah]]. There they remain until they are buried.
* All religious texts that include the name of God are buried.
===Islam===
* In Islam, the name (or any names) of God is generally treated with the utmost respect. It is referred to in many verses of the Qur'an that the real believers respect the name of God very deeply. (e.g. stated in 33/35, 57/16, 59/21, 7/180, 17/107, 17/109, 2/45, 21/90, 23/2 ) On the other hand the condition is openly stressed by prohibiting people from unnecessary swearing using the name of Allah. (e.g. stated in 24/53, 68/, 63/2, 58/14, 58/16, 2/224) Thus the mention of the name of God is expected to be done so reverently.
===Christianity===
* In Christianity, God's name may not "be used in vain" (see the [[Ten Commandments]]), which is commonly interpreted to mean that it is wrong to [[Profanity|curse]] while making reference to God. A more natural interpretation of this passage{{Fact|date=October 2007}} is in relation to oath taking, where the command is to hold true to those commands made 'in God's name'. (Jesus also makes it clear that a Christian should hold true to all their words - cf [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=5&verse=37&version=31&context=verse Matthew 5:37])
* Some Christians capitalize all references to God in writing, including pronouns. (ex. "The Lord, He is God, Holy is His Name.")
* God's name being used in vain can also be interpreted as trying to invoke the power of God, as a means to impress, intimidate, punish, condemn, and/or control others. Since "God is a loving God" (according to the New Testament), any efforts to use God's name in vain will forever be fruitless. Love is not compelled into action by fear. Saying that God's name should not be used in vain is just a helpful reminder that doing so is just a waste of time and energy.
* Different Christian cultures have different views on the appropriateness of naming people after God. English speaking Christians generally would not name a son "Jesus", but "''[[Jesús]]''" is a common [[Spanish naming customs|Spanish first name]]. This taboo does not apply to more indirect names and titles like [[Emmanuel]] or [[Salvador (disambiguation)|Salvador]]. Nor does it apply to "Joshua," which is the English translation of "Jesus."
* The taboo on abuse of the name of God and religious figures like [[Mary, mother of Jesus]] leads to their frequent use in [[profanity]] (a clear case is [[Quebec French profanity]], based mostly on Catholic concepts). More pious swearers try to substitute the [[blasphemy]] against holy names with [[minced oath]]s like ''Jeez!'' instead of ''Jesus!'' or ''[[:wiktionary:Judas Priest|Judas Priest]]!'' instead of ''Jesus Christ!''.
* Traditionally, when a copy has worn out Bibles are burned, not simply thrown away.
==Phrases and alternatives==
[[Tapu|Tabu]]ism or glorification are usually reasons not to refer to a deity directly by name.
In addition to capitalized [[pronouns]] (e.g. He, Him), this can be split into two types: Phrases (such as [[King of Kings]]) and alternatives (such as [[G*d]] or [[HaShem]]). Generally, phrases are used to extol, and alternatives are more direct replacements for words.
==Literature and fiction==
* [[Names of God in Old English poetry]]
* '''Aigonz''' is the word for God in the [[lingua ignota]] of [[Hildegard of Bingen]]
* [[Eru Ilúvatar]], a name of monotheistic God in [[Quenya]], a fictional language invented by [[J. R. R. Tolkien]].
* "[[The Nine Billion Names of God]]", a short story by [[Arthur C. Clarke]].
* [[Maleldil]] is the name of God (or, more accurately, of the allegorical character associated with [[Jesus]]) in [[Old Solar]], the true language in the [[Space Trilogy]] books by [[C. S. Lewis]]
* In the movie [[π (film)|Pi]], the characters are looking for [[Shemhamphorash|the true name of god]], which is 216 letters long.
* In the movie [[Warlock (1989 film)]] the main character seeks out the pages of the [[Grand Grimoire]] which can be commanded to reveal the true lost name of God. If it can be spoken backwards, the universe will end. Viewers are shown the letters forming, but not the actual word, and the Warlock does not get beyond pronouncing the first (last) syllable before he is killed.
* In [[Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade]], Indiana nearly gets killed trying to spell the name of God ([[Jehovah]]) in an ancient word puzzle. He had stepped on "J" and nearly fell to his death, then remembered that in Latin Jehovah begins with an "I".
==References==
{{reflist}}
==See also==
* [[List of deities]]
* [[Names of God in Judaism]]
* [[List of titles and names of Krishna]]
* [[List of names of Odin]]
* [[Names of God in the Qur'an]]
* [[Sahasranama]]
* [[Shemhamphorasch]]
==External links==
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* [http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Names_of_G-d/names_of_g-d.html Hebrew Names of God]
* [http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/T/TU/TURKS.htm Encyclopaedia Britannica 1911- Turks]
* [http://www.meherbabatheavatar.org/names.htm The 101 Names of God] according to [[Meher Baba]]
* [http://www.iskcon.net/alachua/holyname.htm The Nectar of the Holy Name]
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08329a.htm Jehovah (Yahweh)]
* [http://www.exodus-314.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=41 Ehyeh and YHWH - The Relationship Between the Divine Names in Exodus 3:14-15]
* [http://www.princeton.edu/~aamihay/Divine_Names.html Bibliography on Divine Names in the Dead Sea Scrolls]
* [http://www.iskcon.org/basics/hearing Education] - Hearing and chanting] in [[ISKCON]]
[[Category:God|Names]]
[[Category:Lists of names|God]]
[[ca:Nom teòfor]]
[[et:Jumala nimi]]
[[es:Nombres de Dios]]
[[fr:Noms de Dieu]]
[[ia:Nomines de Deo]]
[[lt:Dievo vardas]]
[[pt:Nomes de Deus]]
[[ru:Имена Бога]]
[[uk:Біблійні імена Бога]]