What do you think - should your God want to be worshiped? After all, if God is to be an all perfect, all gracious, merciful entity, wouldn't wanting/encouraging worship from its living creations be an act of greed and/or arrogance?
Personally, I think that the best way to show your thanks to God is to live a moral life, treat others as you would like to be treated, and leave the world doing what you can to make it an overall better place....not public showings like going to church, or praying at your bedside. God shouldn't want that. What do you think?
2007-12-11 17:47:19 · 22 answers · asked by bada_bing2k4 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I personally am not a believer, but I think that it's ridiculous for people to think that any God would want to be worshiped...and if he does want that, what kind of God is he to begin with? I would want my image of God to be more merciful, more positive rather than this negative image of a egotistical deity looking upon his servant creations for praise and idoltry.
2007-12-11 17:55:52 · update #1
Much can be said about God being a human creation, and for that very reason, is why he wants to be worshiped. After all, look back in history - many leaders demanded to be worshiped, and the people were more than happy to give it to them. It is intrinsic human greed.
2007-12-11 17:58:27 · update #2
Only humans would create a God who demands to be worshiped and praised for creating them.
2007-12-11 17:55:49 · answer #1 · answered by gelfling 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I believe the Bible is the inspired word of God and it tells us plainly at John 4:23, 24:
"Nevertheless, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed, the Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit, and those worshiping him must worship with spirit and truth.” "
and 1 Corinthians 10:21, 22 says:
"YOU cannot be drinking the cup of Jehovah and the cup of demons; YOU cannot be partaking of “the table of Jehovah” and the table of demons. 22 Or “are we inciting Jehovah to jealousy”? "
So if you believe the Bible, it definitely indicates how God wants to be worshiped.
2007-12-12 02:02:03 · answer #2 · answered by Xyleisha 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Great question!
In asking this, we are questioning why God is the way that he is.
If you consent that there is an all-powerful, all-knowing being, who is perfect, and that at some point he spoke to man and gave commandments to him (which you did not mention if you did), then maybe we should wonder if those commandments aren't meant necessarily to better Him, but to better us.
I'm of the school of thought that existence is eternal and that we are continually striving to improve. Who better to teach us principles to develop and grow than a perfect being?
I don't think God gave us commandments so he could boss us around, but so that we could become more like him.
Church/prayer/scriptures are inspired instruments to help us on our eternal journey.
"And again, I say unto you, I give unto you a new commandment, that you may understand my will concerning you;
'Or, in other words, I give unto you directions how you may act before me, that it may turn to you for your salvation."
-Doctrine and Covenants (LDS scripture) 82:8-9
Best Wishes,
Rusty
2007-12-12 02:03:01 · answer #3 · answered by Rusty Curtis 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to try to ignore such things...but the more i studied, the more worried I became...God seems to be a bit of a diva. He made us fallible, he knows everything, he gives his own fallible beings the duty to document everything. So now we have a bible with many many many inconsistencies. How can a perfect God have so many mixed messages? How can a loving God require such cruel methods to have his "children" prove their love? (remember Abraham being "tested" by thinking he had to sacrafice his only son for God?) If someone tried that today, he'd be incarcerated and rightfully so! But these things are all part of the God we are told to worship.
2007-12-12 02:15:28 · answer #4 · answered by raveniiz 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
God doesn't necessarily like to be worshiped per se, but if that get someone's mind on Him, he wants it. But worship is mechanical and barren of what God really wants which is people to love Him. More than anything he wants you to become one with Him and love is the easiest and enjoyable way of doing that. But if you really love Him, you can't help but try anything, from yogas to fasting and also trying to increase your love for Him with all that you have.
2007-12-12 01:53:25 · answer #5 · answered by Neomaxizoomedweebie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The way I see it, God wants us to worship him NOT because of his greed or arrogance but because of our own! God wants us to worship him not to satisfy his needs to but satisfy our needs!
Worship keeps our sights focused on him...it helps us remember that he knows far more than we know and that he is responsible for everything we are and everything we have. Worship helps keep us from thinking that we know everything or that our needs are the most important thing in the world. With our sights focused on him, we are far less likely to be tempted by our own arrogance or greed to do things that hurt ourselves or others.
Perhaps some parents do expect their children to show deference to them for selfish or arrogant reasons...but most I know do it because they know that the child needs to learn that he isn't the center of the universe and that his parents really do know best. I don't ask my son to say thank you when I give him something because of my needs...I train him to show appreciation and gratitude because it has a positive effect on his behavior and his relationships with others!
Perhaps some people do go to church as a "public showing"...but that's selfish and arrogant isn't it? I go to church because it gives me the opportunity to learn more about God and what he wants for me and it gives me the opportunity to join with others in thanking him for all the blessings in our lives.
2007-12-12 02:07:58 · answer #6 · answered by KAL 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Now that you have disturbed the dust that has settled in my noggin , I don't rightly remember God saying Himself that He wants to be worshiped. I do remember however God saying that He doesn't want our burnt offerings , He just wants our love. But even If He does say that He wants to be worshiped I think it should be taken as loved above all.
2007-12-12 01:58:42 · answer #7 · answered by swindled 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If god wants to be worshiped, then religon can get away with adding other demands and character traits from god. Such as being wrathful. If the christians couldn't fear monger and use scare tactics who would go to church? "Believe in me and you won't burn for all eternity."
2007-12-12 02:01:51 · answer #8 · answered by anti_religon 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Worship is standing in awe in His presence and give Him the Glory due to His Name. If men don't, then even the rocks will cries out and worship HIM!
2007-12-12 02:12:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
My Gods enjoy the reciprocal relationship they have with us.
I give worship and even offerings the same way I give presents to anyone I love, not always because THEY want it, but because I want to.
What you suggest as ways to show thanks are wonderful, I just want to add a "personal" touch with my prayers and offerings. Think of the prayers and offerings as the card on the thank-you gift of my actions and you can understand what I mean
2007-12-12 01:55:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anne Hatzakis 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋