why do we have names.........................?

Yahweh, Allah, Thor, Aphrodite, Zeus, Poseidon... Which one are you talking about?

Primarily so that our individual attention can be gained verbally. That is: so we'll notice when someone wants our attention but not everyone's attention.

Secondarily so that we can be identified when not present: in conversations about us, in writing, etc.

2) So when God identifies himself to us by his name, why do many refuse to use that name?

There are several reasons, of course. Obvious ones:

- some do not want to discuss God

- some do not want God's attention

- some prefer to use God's title out of respect for God rather than familiarly using his name - and in most cultures, using a personal name for a titled person is a familiarity that *should* not be presumed. This is, of course, true in our own culture - which is why you would say "Mr. President" rather than "Barak" and why you would probably call your boss "Mr. so-and-so" rather than "Bob" (or whatever) unless your boss gave you permission to use the more familiar form of address.

3) It's in just about every translation of the Bible. Psalms 83:18

OK - let's see:

First five Bibles at Bible Gateway - all say "Lord"

http://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ps...

Didn't you say "It's in just about every translation of the Bible"? Did you mean to write, perhaps, "It's not to be found in almost any translation of the Bible?"

Here's one English translation where it is found:

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=23&bible...

- Jim, http://www.bible-reviews.com/topics_accuracy_words...

For one, Psalms is a book of poetry and many times poets will take liberties in their word choices to make something fit their rhyme and meter. Its actually quite pretty in the original aramaic. If you are referring to the term 'LORD" as the name of god. One should point out the term 'lord' is an english term. The aramaic word in which is translated from is ba'al BAAL. The pagan semetic 'resurrected' son god of life/fertiliity. A couple of other verses using this turn of phrase can also be seen in Hos: 2:16-17 and even in Matt 7:21. Though one really shouldn't get too caught up with the revised translations of the texts.

Back in the day, it was considered taboo to actually write or even speak the name of god. People only did this when they wanted god's attention, like when they were bearing witness to something. Representations for the name of god were used like adoni, ISHI, YHWH, even El or Elohim. It will also depend which sect the text in question came from.

It isn't "popular" to use God's name. In fact, only one religion uses Jehovah on a regular basis and that would be Jehovah's Witnesses. They do so because of intense study of the scriptures which have led them to several conclusions. Most importantly, Jesus himself called out to Jehovah His Father. He said in the model prayer at Matthew Chapter 6:9 to pray for HIS name to be hallowed or Sanctified. That is what puts Jehovah above any other God on earth, that ever was or ever will be. There are many Gods and many Lords but only ONE Jehovah God. He isn't picky about the way a person says it, but HE most certainly deserves that RESPECT and HONOR!

Here is an article; "Why We Must Know God's Name"

http://www.watchtower.org/e/na/article_07.h

After looking that over, let me know what you think. ;p

God uses many name in the Bible. You must be a Jehovah Witnesses and are trying to convince us that Jehovah is the only name God uses. You are brainwashed and wrong.

@"Is it to identify who we are and distinguish us from others?"

Duh. Can you imagine how difficult life would be if you had to refer to everyone as "You. No not you, you. You in the hat. Yes you." or "That one guy. You know, the guy from the place? No, not that guy, the other guy. Yeah, him."? It would be a pain in the a'ss.

There are many false gods. If I were Jehovah and I told everyone my name, I wouldn't listen to anyone praying to "god". He, being polite, wouldn't listen in on anyone else's conversation.

A name makes you unique....also good for keeping track of you for tax purposes......

Jehovah of the OT is Jesus of the New

to tell eachother apart