What's in His Name

10/16/03

My friend Gloria, asked why I do not like the term "God." It is not really a fair question in that it is not the word itself, that I do not like, it is the implications and memories that it brings up when used. Over the centuries the word has been associated with an angry, vengeful God, amongst other things, why would I like it? I have called upon the name many times, without the results I expected, why would I like it. This is the entity, that is going to send me to hell, for a minor misdemeanor, why would I like it? "Oh my God," is a short prayer that expresses anything from ecstasy to terror. Why would I like it.

   What’s in a name? Names imply all sorts of things. For decades now, as an example, handicapped people, especially mentally handicapped people, have changed the name that refers to their group, from, retarded, to handicapped, to mentally challenged, in an effort to try and remove the stigma behind the title. It hasn’t produced the desired results yet. It’s the stigma that needs to be changed not the name. The name brings up images that are not consistent with the image I have of God. The term "father," brings up warm feelings of love and protection for some, and to others, feelings of terror, from abuse. Changing the name only brings temporary relief. One’s thoughts have to be changed in order to remove the stigma attached to the name.

  
I can not think of one good reason why I would like the name of "God." I can see past the name, I can see a system that works, I can identify with the perfection that the name implies, I am grateful for past healings, I am trying to move past the stigma, attached to the name.

   The creator/God has no preference as to name. In fact there is only one name that apply applies to God, and that is "I am." The term "God," is a human name, and it has been so badly abused, just as the term "retard," has been used to abuse a section of our population, why would I like it. You do not get rid of a stigma, by changing a name, but it is a first step in creating something better around the subject. I have tried several names during the recent past years. I found comfort in none of them.

   The word God, comes from an old religious regime, that does not work very well, today. It is their name, and it does not represent the image I have of my creator, why would I use it. As a human, when I repeat or use a name often enough, I adopt the aura that surrounds it. I do not associate the term with a lot of positive things. It is my view that the terminology of the past does not fit into modern life. A change is long overdue. I don’t belief that any one name is necessary. God, means different things to many people.

   We are a world of many "Gods," yet we all refer to the one., that is "all that is." I have numerous names for my significant other, all of them are meaningful and represent a feeling I am having at the time I use them. God is not the same entity as she was when man first came to being. God identified himself in relationship to the individuals that he created. As we changed, he changed. God evolves as we do, and a name change is appropriate. In one of my morning sessions, God suggested that I use the word Joseth to refer to him. It is a combination of two words that have important meanings to me. My grandfather "Joe," and "Seth," from the Seth Material by Jane Roberts. Both have influenced me greatly. I know that there are many who struggle in using the term "God." It is a major turn-off and an insult to some to say the least. It is a Christian bias that is exclusive only to Christians. Many of these people feel compelled to use such terms, because of guilt, and to some, it’s like taking in more of the food that just made them throw-up. Some people are steeped in tradition and if it brings comfort to them to use long established terminology, I see nothing "wrong" with it, if it "works" for them. But if you use the term "retard" to address me, do not expect to be received warmly. I try not to use the word "God," too often, except in reference, because it simply does not work for me.

   God knows that, because I talk to him and he replies (not with thunderbolts), or words of condemnation, but with understanding and approval, and his blessing, "A rose by any other name." I understand, that the term "Oh my God," whether it is said in the heat of passion during orgasm (which is very common), or when it is used to describe something pretty horrific, such as any accident, describes an extreme emotional response, the words are the same, but describe two opposite events. Both times, are used as prayers, or a communing with God, so I guess we could call God, extreme.

   The true nature of our God is reflective in the feelings we attach to him, and the feelings come from thoughts. At best they are still human and subject to individuality. As we are re-creating our God as we evolve, it just makes good sense to adjust the name accordingly. It is not disrespectful or blasphemist, it’s the human thing to do, and we can not deny our humanity. God would not deny our humanity, he created it.

  
The reverse is true also, we, as "believers" have changed our name to better reflect our position in the understanding of who we are, from, followers, believers, Christian, Muslim, Jew, New Ager, etc, etc, etc. During all this name changing, one fact still remains, we still know "God", the Great "I AM," nature, divine being, creator, Jehovah, Ala or Joseth.

   I hope I have answered your question, my dear friend Gloria. I know you love the term, and have dedicated the rest of your life to him, and I feel the love within you, when you use the name, so I am not offended when you use it.

   Joseth approves, of all that we do, because when we are in the process of creating, we are redefining him, he through us, and that is our purpose, that is why we came, to give definition through our creations in all aspects of being human. One name would never work, for one that is always changing.