Heinlein is stating that it is puzzling as to why a supreme being would want to be flattered by people. What is the point, other than to stuff the pockets of the church with money.
I am asking why you think God needs this flattery, the praying in public, the donations to the church and that sort of thing.
2006-08-21 08:50:04 · 9 answers · asked by Kathryn™ 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Perhaps I did not fully answer this facet of the question in the other thread. Taking as a given that what Heinlein says is true of this posited God, then that would lower said God in my mind to a mere gobbler of resources and corporate entity. I think it is Man who needs the support system created by the institution of religion, since Man's inherent tendency is NOT to charity. IMO, a REAL God DOES NOT need this in order to survive independent of His worshippers-I do not subscribe to a needy God. This aspect of religious organization can be socially beneficial--however, in every human enterprise, there is abuse, so religion is no different from a corporation if one looks at it that way. It is a social relief and support system but also a kind of host and parasite at the same time if properly administered. Cheers!
2006-08-21 09:13:15 · answer #1 · answered by Black Dog 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To make better sense of your question...
"Why does a parent appriciate the love their child gives them?" The hastily scribbled picture means nothing... the parent gains nothing by it... but it is the time and effort... it shows that the child loves the parent, and wants to see their parent happy with them. Is it flattery? No. It is love.
This is the reason why we do what we do. We give money to the churches, so the pastors have a means to live, and so the poor always have a place to go for a hot meal and clothes to wear.
Praying in public, is a different story... it is something that's to be avoided. No parent is happy with a child who goes around, banging pot lids together, making a scene, while shouting, "My dad is the greatest!"... while the thought is nice, the attention is more on the child, and not the parent. So too, with public prayer. It diverts attention away from God, and onto the person praying.
2006-08-21 16:02:39 · answer #2 · answered by seraphim_pwns_u 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
God doesn't "need" anything. Is the self existing being, He is not in need of anything.
He does want us to acknowledge that He is God and there is no other. We offer praise and worship on our own in recognition of this. It is not forced upon us, it is by our own free will.
Prayer does not change God, it changes us. Prayer is simply communicating with our creator. We bring petitions, praise and thanksgiving to God through our prayers. As we mature, our prayers will more and more align with His will instead of us seeking our will.
Money goes to churches to pay costs (heating, a/c, salaries, etc., as well as supporting many ministries that reach out and help people.
Instead of basing your opinion on Christians and the Church on the statements by a dead atheist, perhaps you could actually try to dialog with believers. Your preconceived notions may be changed for the better.
2006-08-21 16:05:37 · answer #3 · answered by BrotherMichael 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God does not need any of this. Worship is simply our word for recognition of God's accomplishments. He already knows what he did. Worship is directed to him, but it's really for us. It's cathartic. Jesus never taught people the practice of praying in public. In fact, he taught his apostles that they should pray in private and that prayer was mostly a private communication between the person praying and God. Tithing is certainly a generous thing to do if you wish to support your church, but it is not a requirement of God. God doesn't need money. Churches and their programs need money.
2006-08-21 16:05:03 · answer #4 · answered by Agondonter 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't think the Supreme Being (or whatever you want to call it) does need constant attention and flattery. That's what a human would need...
2006-08-21 16:05:47 · answer #5 · answered by irenaadler 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Over 10 minutes and no answers. Can't say I'm surprised. Its a good example of the belief cherry-picking gift that most churchies have. Not even the token "you can't understand God's ways" answer!
2006-08-21 16:01:54 · answer #6 · answered by Ann_Tykreist 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I didn't answer the first one, but here goes:
Word up, dawg. You know how they are always saying, "we couldn't possibly understand God's infinite ways"? Well, why do we think we understand any of them, especially when all we've done is humanize him? If God were real, he would not think like a human, as so many people, inadvertently, try to say he does.
2006-08-21 16:03:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
the Creator doesn't, churches are about greed and power so they need lots of money
2006-08-21 15:56:50 · answer #8 · answered by bregweidd 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
One; it is not that God needs what we 'give' to him; but shows our trust(faith) in him that he can/will give us many times more than we give him.
2006-08-21 16:24:31 · answer #9 · answered by jefferyspringer57@sbcglobal.net 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋