This is rather peculiar, for a number of reasons:
1) What is the difference between writing "G-d" or writing the same thing
with an "o" instead of the dash? The meaning is the same in both cases.
Since writing is nothing more then a method of conveying a meaning through
symbols, the two are functionally identical.
2) What happens if someone makes a written reference to a bog - in the sense
of a swampy type of terrain? "Bog", in the Russian language, refers to
Hashem. Does this mean that whenever we write about swamps, we have to
write 'b-g'? Clearly this is absurd.
The fact that Russian and English use a difference alphabet is irrelevant,
since it is possible to transliterate between the two - in fact, on some
newsgroups entire conversations are held in Russian, but using English
characters. (Also, the Croatian word is also "Bog" unless I am badly
mistaken - and Croatian uses the Latin alphabet.)
Of course, it could be argued that intent is what is important - but clearly
when someone writes "G-d" their intent is to refer to Hashem - and to have
the reader mentally fill in the 'o'.
3) I always thought that the part about not taking Hashem's name in vain
means something more along the lines of not making gratuitous references to
Hashem, not swearing in His name, etc. - not putting a dash in place of an
'o' in a discussion that already concerns him. Certain a blasphemous joke
would remain just as blasphemous regardless of whether the dash or the 'o'
was used.
4) In English it is quite possible to refer to a god, where it is quite
clear that Hashem is not being referred to, but some other divine entity
(which happens not to exist, but that is a side issue). How does
capitalizing 'god' suddenly make it a proper name? Capitalizing it seems to
have the same effect as saying 'the god' would.
5) I have difficulty imagining that Hashem would be so petty as to care
whether the dash or the 'o' is used.
6) It would follow logically from the statement you make that there is a
significant difference between writing "G-d is a [very bad word]" and the
same thing but with an 'o' in place of the dash. This seems absurd.
Peace
Michael Voytinsky
michaelv@globalx.net