god

Everyday

1. God, with a capital G, is the name many religions, such as Christianity, Judaism and Islam, give to the one being they believe made and rules the world. tree →
2. A god, with a small g, is a powerful being in myths and some religions, such as the Greek god Zeus or the Norse god Thor. tree →
3. Someone admired very much may be called a god in a joke. tree →

In the lessons

In religious education and history lessons, pupils learn that people of different faiths believe different things about God or gods, and that ancient Greeks, Romans, Egyptians and Vikings had many gods in their myths. In stories and myths, gods often have special powers and rule over things like the sea, thunder or the sun. «Oh my God» is an exclamation some people find rude, so many say «oh my gosh». Phrases: thank God, god of the sea, Greek gods.

Examples

• Many people pray to God at church, at the mosque or at the synagogue. tree →
• Zeus was the king of the Greek gods. tree →
• Thor was the Norse god of thunder. tree →
• The ancient Egyptians had a sun god called Ra. tree →
• In our myths topic we wrote a story about a god of the sea. tree →
• Some people believe in God and some people do not, and we respect both. tree →
• Poseidon, the god of the sea, could make storms with his trident. tree →

Note

Capital G when it is the name of the one God of a religion; small g for gods in myths. A female god is a «goddess». Saying «oh my God» can upset religious people; «oh my gosh» is the polite form. Respect different beliefs: what people believe about God is a matter of faith, not something to argue about at school.

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah, "God" is the one God who made the world, gave the Torah and keeps a covenant with Israel. The same word, with a small g, can mean false gods.

Interpretation. The Torah uses different names for God. Tradition teaches that the God of mercy and the God of justice are one and the same. Jews say this in the Shema: "The LORD is one."

Examples

• And God called the firmament Heaven. (Torah GEN.1.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• And God spoke unto Noah, saying: (Torah GEN.8.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• I am the LORD their God. (Torah EXO.29.46, JPS 1917) tree →
• Would not God search this out? (Writings PSA.44.22, JPS 1917) tree →
• The mercy of God endureth continually. (Writings PSA.52.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• Shout unto God, all the earth; (Writings PSA.66.1, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Capital G when it is the name of the one God of a religion; small g for gods in myths. A female god is a «goddess». Saying «oh my God» can upset religious people; «oh my gosh» is the polite form. Respect different beliefs: what people believe about God is a matter of faith, not something to argue about at school.