Why do we bow to god? Because god defines absolute power. We human bow down to power. God is immortal, but in the world of mortals, corporates, politicians, and dictators define absolute power. In that way, don't you think people bow to god because they are intimidated by god's power. In the end, it's the power that makes them slaves to anyone whether it's a rich man's power, or a dictator's power, or god's power.
Disclaimer: This is not a private correspondence. The points expressed in this question are hypothetical. They aren't meant to promote atheism or to hurt the sentiments of my religious friends.
2007-08-07 02:59:35 · 16 answers · asked by Razor 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am not saying that people bow to god just out of fear. The are likely to bow down to power. Bill Gates will have more friends than the poor guy who lives next door.
2007-08-07 03:10:07 · update #1
You are completely correct. Why do so many questions have the answer "You can't question God" or "God's ways are higher than ours, and he is unknowable". This is because many of the actions and words attributed to God are hard to defend. Many people only worship because they want God to give them a good afterlife instead of a terrifying afterlife. It's the same way people support ruthless dictators out of fear. I reject the notion that might makes right, and I will judge these proposed deities by what I know to be right and wrong.
Edit: Okay, people don't just bow out of fear. However, many people fear anyone that is more powerful than them, so they give up freedom and autonomy in exchange for safety. You might also bow in the hopes that someone so powerful can do great favors for you. It's like you're bowing while thinking "What's in it for me?"
2007-08-07 03:05:13 · answer #1 · answered by Graciela, RIRS 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You're reasoning is flawed. You are suggesting that people have bowed down to power in the past because they are intimidated by dictators and the like. And that, since they bow down to God, the relationship must be the same. This is called a fallacy in logic as you are assuming that since the result is the same in both instances, so must be the cause.
While you may be right, it is not through your reasoning. I think that some cultures subscribe to worshipping a God that they fear, while others, worship a God that they love, and feel love in return.
2007-08-07 10:08:37 · answer #2 · answered by largegrasseatingmonster 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion, how we react/bow to God is in each of us and God knows how we feel in our hearts and in our minds. To me this is what is important. I don't think that the amount of money or the power we have in the community or world we live in matters in the vastness of God's realm. God's world is a much different space and time than what we know and are used to being in. This is something that we only "know of it being spoken of" and it is not something that one goes and visits and returns to discuss like you would go to interview Bill Gates, etc.. I do believe it is a power that is greater than anything we have ever known or experienced which is why there is so much questioning on this matter. All that I know is what I believe in my heart and that I know that Jesus will come again and that there is a better place.
2007-08-09 14:06:02 · answer #3 · answered by Cindy Roo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's important that the bible does not command us to bow before God, but like other have said, we do it in a form of respect and submission to the one who loved us so much that He sent His only Son that we might have everlasting Life!
2007-08-13 19:28:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The idea of bowing has nothing to do with an external god.
When one bows it is focus on there heart and reflect within.
Now those who kneel and pray well that is to revere god.
2007-08-07 10:08:40 · answer #5 · answered by Part-time Antagonist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You ask a good question.
There are some who bow to God out of fear. ("The fear of the Lord is the BEGINNING of wisdom")
But others bow to God because He is the one who has the right to sit on the throne of heaven. ("It is better to be a servant in the house of God, then to rule with sinners").
And yet, others of us bow to God because we have fallen in love with Him, after He had delivered us from bondage to sin. There is no greater bond than love, and no greater love than a man lay down his life for others. And after He redeems us, He "adopts" us into His "forever family", and even says "Well done, thou good and faithful servant", when all we really deserve is hell. He loved us so much that He made the ultimate sacrifice to redeem us - to pay the price for our crimes against God - and after He did all the work, tells US "well done" - Oh, what unfathomable love!
2007-08-07 10:05:47 · answer #6 · answered by no1home2day 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I humbly bow because of what He has done for me through Yeshua, I'm Thankful I don't have to sacrifice animals for my sins.
Sin seperates us from God.
2007-08-07 10:08:12 · answer #7 · answered by Bobbie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You do make some valid points.
From the time we were young we were taught to fear God, so he wouldn't punish us, so we can go to heaven as a reward,
but as years pass some people get away from that, and make their own beliefs, or stop believing altogether.
2007-08-07 10:04:19 · answer #8 · answered by Dragon'sFire 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Bowing is out of devotion. It helps u know mysteries of unknown.
Only a seasoned soul can bow in devotion.
2007-08-07 10:04:26 · answer #9 · answered by dd 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Bowing to God is a show of respect. He is my Father God.
2007-08-07 10:02:58 · answer #10 · answered by Ruth 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋