Say now I suddenly started to believe in god... would this be good enough for "him"?

Question

OK first don't all you Christians start getting happy because you've turned and athiest. I'll always be one.

But say that I did believe in god as he is described in your book, would it be good enough just to respect him? What if I don't worship anything, what if I see worshipping things as lowering myself before another and that is degrading.

Would god accept my respect or demand I worship him?

Answer 1

First of all, never say "I'll always..." (or "I would never..."), it always seems to comes back to bite.

Your respect, I think, would not be "enough". Regarding yourself as lower than (God) --- NOT "lowering (your)self", that's a different concept --- is essential. I don' t think you can respect "(G)od as he is described in your book" without concluding that you must worship him. And that would not be enough either -lol - if you really believed you would worship in joy, not out of obligation.

Answer 2

Wow. This is a great question because I think it's one that many people struggle with. I hesitated in answering because I hate it when Christians don't answer respectfully, and I hate it when others treat us disrepectfully as well. Although I think sometimes we deserve it. Sorry...on to your question.

If you are talking about the God of the Bible, He demands nothing. I know, you probably don't believe me. But it's true. Just choose one of the four books written by people who traveled with Jesus. Jesus never demanded anything. He didn't mince words, but he was always respectful. In fact, he got in trouble for hanging out with all the "bad guys"--prostitutes, tax collectors, fishermen, even women!

When I think of demand, I think of disrepect or care for the one from which you are requiring something. That certainly doesn't match up with what I read about God in either the Old or the New Testament.

I must be fair in saying the Bible does say that is only one answer and way. And that is by acknowledging that you have done things that are wrong, that you believe Jesus is God, and that He alone can forgive you.

But there is no demand for worship. Here's the thing, when you really truly see who God is, it shows you who you are in your heart of hearts. And in seeing who He truly is and that He gives forgiveness and love inspite of who we are and how we hurt others, it is almost impossible not to worship.

I hope this respectfully answers your question.

Answer 3

One step at a time in the right direction is great. I don't agree with several judgmental answers I read in here. We do not have the infinite wisdom to pass spiritual judgment on one another. No one has the right to tell you that you "must worship" to be saved. Prayers and worship is done in many different ways. It is my belief that it can be done in a single thought or gesture including the thought that you believe in Him. A charitable donation of money, food and clothing are prayers when the right intention is there. It's good to know that you believe.

Answer 4

Have you ever gone to a football game? Did you cheer and hoot and holler? Have you gone to a rock concert and lifted your hands to clap or do the sway thing in time to the music? That is a form of worship. You do it all the time. God, made a beautiful world and He made human beings in His image that is worthy of a "Yea God!" Now did that hurt? God should be respected, but He really wants you to love Him the best. And we should because all good things that we have come from Him. Take a look around your life, the air you breath, the very ground that you walk on, is His. Everything good that you have is a blessing from God. Now that beats the football player, who can give you a headache when he loses the game.

Answer 5

God is no respector of persons. Just believeing in God is not the saving grace. Even Satan believes in God, but that's not doing him any good either.

As for getting all happy for you, don't worry. You talking like that doesn't show me anything.

The Bible says that all men know of God because the invisible things of the Lord are clearly seen. So that tells me that someone who says God doesn't exist is lieing to themselves and telling others the same lies.

Answer 6

This is a great question, and I look forward to the answers. I've often wondered the very same thing. If it's the latter, I can't see myself believing if god "demanded" it.

I do hope that whoever answers this question does so respectfully and fairly. It will provide at least one person with a better understanding of religion.

Answer 7

You're supposed to be okay with lowering yourself and, no, I don't think the Christian God would dig that.

That's sorta what the Jesus thing is about. It's submission. Admitting that you are flawed and the only thing that can make you perfect is the forgiveness of God. That's central to the beliefs.

How, I can both be Gods creation and imperfect at the same time I don't understand. Unless God was imperfect, that doesn't make much sense to me. But, then, the Bible seems to validate the 'imperfect god' hypothisis.

Answer 8

Okay, let me first establish that I do not consider myself a Christian. I do not worship Jesus Christ, nor do I follow his church. I do believe in the common message Christianity holds with all religions, philosophies, and ways of life I've studied, including Buddism, Taoism, Shintoism, Muslim, and Capitolism. (Last bit is a joke)

In my view, practice of religion (or anything, for that matter) involves a certain degree of sacrifice and humility. If, for example, you wish to become a classical pianist, you're not going to get there if you don't sacrifice time and you don't accept that others may have a thing or two to teach you.

That said, from a religious standpoint, no- merely saying that you accept "God" as described in the Christian bible isn't going to make him accept you. It's a two-way street.

This is the problem I have with most of the Christians I know. They are my friends, yet they are what I call "Fair-Weather Christians". You know the type- they only attend mass on Christmas and Easter, yet assume they're going to heaven. They aren't sacrificing anything in this world to acheive what they consider to be the Nirvana after this lifetime.

That's just selfish.

Consider what you're asking: "If I acknowledge my respect for a God I don't believe in, will he acknowledge me?" What's the point? You don't believe in him.

Worship of something isn't degrading. It's a way to take solace in a thought, notion, or concept which assuages any fears someone has over what the future holds. Everyone has their own security blanket. Most on this planet call it religion.

Religion is born out of fear of the unknown, and finding a way to guarantee safe passage into the unknown if you "follow the rules". Again, most Christians I know are horrible at this.

But my question for you is: Why do you care what god thinks of you? What are you afraid of?

Answer 9

I think if you truly understood God, then this question would be moot. You would see Him as your creator and know that His knowledge is infinite. You wouldn't need to be convinced to worship Him. You would do it automatically faced with His greatness and glory.

Answer 10

Let's say you were an absolute communist....raised in a communist country. Then one day you said, "OK, I believe in and respect a democratic government." Then, you continued to live as a communist, changing nothing. Would this be enough for the U.S. government to let you become a citizen?

Saying you believe in something (or someone) and taking no action about it is pointless. To please God, you'd have to learn something about him and try to live your life according to his will. Just saying you believe in him and changing nothing in your life would not be enough to please him.

EDIT__I promised myself I wouldn't answer any more religion-based questions....I have a feeling I'll regret anwering this one, but just couldn't resist :)