God is........

Submitted by Infidel (Canada), Aug 21, 2006 at 19:42

While Bisvas and Saladin debate whether there is a God or more than one God or many Gods, they are overlooking the origin of the word "God". We have come to know God, if we indeed do, from the Hebrew scriptures. Thus it may be appropriate to examine the original Hebrew words translated to "God". The word "God" in the Hebrew scriptures is translated from the following words, EL, ELOHIYM, Y'HOVAH, and ELABB. Keep in mind that the original Hebrew did not include vowels. Thus the correct method of writing these words might be, -L, -L-H-YM, Y'H-V-H, and -L-BB. The word "God", or the above Hebrew words are "uni-plural", thus indicating a plurality, like the word family. Thus, regardless of our personal bias, the word "God" means more than one. And we all know that at least 2 people are required before they can be identified as a "family".

Now here is a little history that will give us a glimpse to the origin of Allah the deity of the Muslims. According to numerous inscriptions, while the name of the Moon-god was Sin, his title was al-ilah, i.e. "the deity," meaning that he was the chief or high god among the gods. "The god Il or Ilah was originally a phase of the Moon God." The Moon-god was called al-ilah, i.e. the god, which was shortened to Allah in pre-Islamic times. The pagan Arabs even used Allah in the names they gave to their children. For example, both Muhammad's father and uncle had Allah as part of their names.

This information is not intended to end the debate between Bisvas and Saladin.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".