Why Do Many Atheists Spell 'God' Without a Capital 'G'?

For the same reason that the words fairy, elf, unicorn, and leprechaun in this sentence are not preceded by articles, many atheists opt to spell 'god' with a lowercase 'g.'

One of the primary reasons for this choice is to signify that 'god' is just a common noun, nothing special. There have been countless deities throughout history, and each one has its own unique name. However, when atheists use the term 'god,' they do not believe that it pertains to a specific god, such as the Abrahamic God, but rather to the concept of a divine being in general.

The Issue of Capitalization: English vs. Religious Context

This topic is a unique issue within the English language. For Bible believers, the term 'God' is often capitalized, reflecting the reverence and belief in a singular, omnipotent deity. However, this capitalization is not always consistent, as the Bible, for example, uses more than one name for the same divine entity.

Some Bible believers might hesitate to use the specific names (Yahweh, Elohim, Jehova, El-Shaddai, Adonai) because they fear the wrath of the deity. Instead, they prefer the collective term 'God' to differentiate it from other deities such as Zeus, Thor, or Allah. By capitalizing 'God,' they distinguish it from the multitude of other deities, maintaining a reverence not necessarily attributed to specific names.

Spelling Choices and Philosophical Beliefs

Atheists, by default, do not believe in the existence of gods, so their choice of spelling pertains purely to their philosophical stance rather than a formal editorial style sheet. In many contexts, atheists may use 'God' as a personal name or as a proper noun when referring to the specific deity believed in by monotheistic religions like Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

However, when the reference to 'God' is not in isolation but is contrasted with other deities, atheists often choose to spell it with a lowercase 'g' to avoid confusion. This usage aims to emphasize that the term 'god' can refer to a multitude of divine beings, not a single, unique entity.

The Biblical Context and the Concept of God

The Bible's commandments, such as 'love the least among us', 'leave the edge of the field for the poor', or 'share your food with the poor', highlight the importance of compassion and care for the disadvantaged. Some may argue that these verses necessitate the use of the capitalized 'God' to denote the biblical deity.

However, it is essential to understand that the choice of spelling 'god' (lowercase) does not negate the importance of compassion and care. It is a matter of distinguishing between a specific deity and the concept of divinity in general. The lowercase 'god' acknowledges the plurality of gods throughout history and the skepticism towards the existence of any singular divine being.

Conclusion

The choice of spelling for the word 'god' is a reflection of beliefs and traditions. Atheists, by definition, do not believe in the existence of gods, so their usage of lowercase 'god' reflects this non-belief. Bible believers, on the other hand, often capitalize 'God' out of reverence and to differentiate it from other deities. However, both choices are valid within the context of their respective beliefs and traditions.