Does religious worship ever seem... degrading?

Question

Occasionally I've had to attend religious services and I'm often struck by the kind of grovelling and self-abasement that goes on. The service seems to put much emphasis on how lowly and wicked and worthless we are. I have to say that makes me uncomfortable. How do you feel about it?

Answer 1

Very. I think that the practice of "worship", in any form, is degrading. The whole purpose of it is to declare your deference to some other person or organization; it's a practice wherein you intentionally declare that you are lesser than someone or something else.

People who practice religious worship tend to say something like "of course we're declaring that we're lesser than [insert deity here]; it's true! And we feel good about it." This seems, to me, to be an indication of a stunning lack of self-respect on their part.

Well, whatever floats yer boat, i figure.

Answer 2

Church should make you feel uncomfortable. You should realize in comparision with God's standard we are all terribly sinful and wicked. You should realize we are in a bad situation unable to solve the problem. But you also know that Gospel means good news. There is freedom from guilt and sin, freedom to enjoy life in an abundant way, freedom to love, serve and help others in need. The joy of knowing death is not the end but a good place awaits. Perhaps the services you attend are only one dimensional and need to cover the whole of scripture.

Answer 3

I go to worship (sometimes) and, yeah, since I am human and have a personality and consider myself smart I choke sometimes when I am taught to be lowly and that I am a sinner. But to put into perspective, society does not teach us to be humble, and to be kind to one another. Some churches don't even teach us to be humble. When I get into worship, I am actually praising my Creator for making me, because He said in His Word: "I am fearfully and wonderfully made". You are worthy and try not think of it as self-abasement. It's self -affirming that you were given a chance to live and enjoy life, while some don't make it.

Answer 4

Far too much of Christian worship seems to be more the effort to placate a violent abuser. Worshippers experience denial regarding their abuser. Their abuser is not abusive, does not threaten them, did not create evil or allow it into the world, that all the problems they experience are their own fault for not loving God enough, etc.

I think some feel so guilty about not being perfect they are extremely susceptible to an imaginary friend who always forgives them, always understands, always loves them.

There is indeed a psychology behind religious faith. In my own way, I am trying to comprehend it.

The search goes on...

Answer 5

I find most athiest come from a church that degraded them that is why they have anger and resentment and an ax to grind.
I dont blame them. I would too, I dont come from a place like that and the church I belong too builds people up, helps the poor and the hungry and works to promote a clean earth,
Maybe you need to find a loving church not a degrading one.

Answer 6

Most churches have lost the way, and you don't need to go to one to worship. Simply go into your own room, close the door and worship secretly as the scriptures instruct. Those who go to church are often displaying piety before men, which the scriptures also describe. I think they tend to skip over these very scriptures that say that during church services.

Answer 7

That is very sad.
Some people just don't get it, I guess. Christianity is about celebrating God's great love for us...not wallowing in our own filth.
If God wanted us to emphasize how lowly and wicked and worthless we are, all He had to do was stay Home...

Answer 8

There is One who is actually worth of worship.. It's not degrading in fact it's an honor to be allowed to worship a Being like Him...Jim

Answer 9

I feel very happy at church. It's a hopeful place. Without church I may start to feel guilty for some things that have gone wrong, but when I go it's like I'm recharged and hopeful. I always feel better, not worse after going.

Answer 10

I find worship "Uplifting"

Without God/Christ etc, what are we? just mere specs on this earth, crawling about living and dying,

It's because of Christ we are "Lifted up" through god and faith we can be made holy, we can accomplish everything, through them we will have eternal life in heaven, through God all things are possible!

I don't worship because I feel I'm worthless, I worship because God has lifted me up!!! I worship because God makes me feel alive and whole!