Friday, April 9, 2010

Hyphenated-Fixation

From My Perspective - - -

Recent generations have become more aware of the use of Hyphens to define and designate various ethnic and people groups, as well as organizations and what the purportedly represent. It can be thought of as a Hyphen-Fixation or a Hyphen-Hypertension. We have also become aware and accustomed to the use of Acronyms. In some ways, Hyphens are more easily understood than Acronyms. Consider some well-known Acronyms: “AIDS: acquired immune deficiency syndrome; SCUBA: self-contained underwater breathing apparatus; RADAR: radio detection and ranging; AAA: American Automobile Association, or Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, or Anti-Aircraft Artillery, or Amateur Athletic Association; ATM: automated teller machine; PIN: personal identification number; UPC: Universal Product Code. Probably the most notorious Acronym recently publicized has been A.C.O.R.N.: The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now,

The use of Hyphens is also common-place. An example is: “Census Bureau Counting Same-Sex Couples.” The following observation is made by way of commentary: “In the first U.S. census that will tally same-sex couples who say they are married — even those without a marriage license — gay-rights activists are urging maximum participation by their community with the strong backing from the Census Bureau. Only the District of Columbia and five states — Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont and Iowa — have legalized gay marriages. But, the Census Bureau says same-sex couples in any state who consider themselves "spouses" should feel free to check the "husband" or "wife" boxes on the census form, rather than "unmarried partner." Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, says the Defense of Marriage Act forbids the federal government from recognizing same-sex relationships as "marriages." "The President's Commerce Department is actively encouraging people to ignore U.S. marriage law and invent new definitions for their relationships," Perkins said. "What kind of government actively lobbies citizens to lie on their forms?" [The Associated Press, CitizenLink.com]

If one has responsibly taken the time to open and fill in the Census 2010 form, the Hyphenated Factor is very predictable. Question 8: Is Person 1 of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin? In Question 9: What is Person 1’s Race? And then the list of selections: White; Black; African American, or Negro; American Indian or Alaskan Native. The list continues with Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Native Hawaiian, Guamanian or Chamorro, Samoan, or Other Pacific Islander. In some regard, it is easy to understand why the designations are solicited, but one can only suppose that the emerging or dominant groups will become a Hyphenated-Group before long. Why can’t we all be just American without hyphens?

There are several names of God, especially in the Old Testament, that are Hyphenated. Some examples are:
JEHOVAH-ROHI - Psalm 23:1 = "The Lord my shepherd"
JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH - Ezekiel 48:35 - "The Lord who is present"
JEHOVAH-RAPHA - Exodus 15:26 - "The Lord our healer"
JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU - Jeremiah 23:6 - "The Lord our righteousness"
JEHOVAH-JIREH - Genesis 22:13-14 - "The Lord will provide"
JEHOVAH-NISSI - Exodus 17:15 - "The Lord our banner"
JEHOVAH-SHALOM - Judges 6:24 - "The Lord is peace"
JEHOVAH-SABBAOTH - Isaiah 6:1-3 - "The Lord of Hosts"
EL-ELYON - Genesis 14:17-20,Isaiah 14:13-14 - "The Most High God
EL-SHADDAI - Genesis 17:1,Psalm 91:1 - "The Almighty God"
God wants to be known in a personal and intimate way. He wants to be known as The One Who is more than sufficient at all times and for all things for those who trust in Him. Paul gives some summary to this in Ephesians 3:20-12, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. This God (hyphens and all) can be known personally by you. Consider these things with me!

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