I "know" God?

Question

Well, I met a spanish teacher and became aquainted with her. During our little chats, I heard her say that when Spanish people say that they "know" God, they use the verb conocer instead of saber. However, we were cut short and had to go our ways. This has really riled me up though. God is an entity that we can't really meet or go to(physically), but they still use conocer instead of saber. So am I supposed to treat God as a special exception in this case, or is it a cultual thing?

Also, if there are any other special uses when applied to similar things, I'd be interested to know! ^-^

Answer 1

¡Hola!, Saphire:

Here is a comparison I often suggest concerning 'saber' and 'conocer'. I'd like to use it as a basis for what I will say folllowing the comparison.

................................Comparing Conocer and Saber

....................Conocer To meet or be acquiainted with people, places, things	.....................Saber To have knowledge of facts, data, processes.
To know or to be acquainted with people, to be familiar with people: • “Conozco a mi tio.” I know my uncle.	To know facts: • “¿Sabes que mi tio tiene las diabetes?” Do you know that my uncle has diabetes. This question is about facts not aquaintanceship.
To be acquainted with and have experience of a place: • “Mi familia conocemos a nuestra ciudad natal.” My family is familiar with our home town	Speaking of facts, consider: • “No sé nada.” I don’t know anything. (I know no facts. I have no knowledge.)
To meet people, use conocer: • “Conocí a mi maestro en una aula” I met my teacher in a classroom	To know how to do something, to swim,to play tennis,to play guitar: • “María sabe tocar el piano.” Maria knows how to play the piano.

In addition, here is a YouTube Video that explains these differences and the uses of "Conocer" and "Saber" ----> Conocer/Saber

When I look at 'saber' I think of that word having to do with what may be referred to colloquially as cold hard facts that are neither intimate to me nor personal to me.. Based on the above comparison, I sense that 'conocer' on the other hand is a warm fuzzy word carrying connations of being personal and intimate to me and my 'self''.

I do not give lessons or perform teachings in Christianity. I am distant from the role of clergyman. However, in thinking about God, I think about an entity that is said to be in me, with me and through me. I cannot think of any entity who is that much a part of me that would not be sensed as warm, personal and intimate. I suggest that in speaking of God, 'saber' is the wrong verb and 'conocer' is the proper verb to use.

Muchos saludos/Best regards,
Moe

Answer 2

God is an entity that we can't really meet or go to(physically), but they still use conocer instead of saber

Think about why it wouldn't be "saber" in the first place. "God" is not a fact or piece of information. "God" is not how to do something. "God" is not an interrogative sentence.

"God" is, however, a personified entity, making sense to use "conocer". "God" is also something you can be familiar with (like using "conocer" to say you are familiar or know of a place).

So, "God" is not an exception to any rule: it would not make sense to use "saber" with "God" and it makes sense to use "conocer".

Answer 3

HI Saphire, well, to know applied to people, as in God being a "ser" , we always used conocer.

Also with for example: fairies, the devil, ghosts..

Answer 4

Christians "conocer" God and philosophers "saber" God.

Great and true distinction, LOrenzo :) - FELIZ77, Dec 1, 2011

Haha!! Funny! ^-^ - Saphire, Dec 1, 2011