Pagans, do you Worship your gods?

Question

I've noticed some Pagans are uncomfortable with the word "worship." They prefer to say that they "work with" or "honor" their Gods. So, what is wrong with worship? Is it that you have a different relationship with the Divine than in other religions? Or do you just have hangups about words that remind you of the religion you left? Or, do you think of it as worship? Why or why not?

Have you ever read The GoldenAss? It is a beautiful story of a man who gets turned into a donkey, suffers many trials, and finally becomes a priest of Isis. In the climax of the story, the main character has suffered more than he is willing to endure, and is about to drown himself in the sea. He is completely broken down, and in tears he throws himself on the ground and prays to Isis. It is one of the most moving passages I have ever read. That, to me, is the essence of Worship.

http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/bl/bl_apuleius_bookxi.htm

Answer 1

I think of worship as a form of surrender, as well as honor and reverence. This at first may imply slavery or servitude, but what is surrender? I surrendered to true love this past year. Am I slave to my lover? Not at all. Worship? If I may use part of Blue Manticore's definition, worship is also extravagant, and I would add, sincere devotion. I believe that my relationship with the Gods is the same. The lover and the beloved.

Worship to me means getting out of your own way, sublimating your ego and allowing divine wisdom to flow into you. When you worship you are mixing honor with awe.

Answer 2

I have a total relationship with Goddess and God that includes worship but Worship is only one small part of the relationship. Much of that relatinship is comradery, a mutual exchange of love, and advisore-advisee relationship, a student-teacher relationship, a confidant relationship and generally a friend or relative relationship. All of these and SO much MORE, beyond the simple worhipping relationship is involved. It's dificult to explain and I KNOW that I'm NOT doing a very good job of it. However, it is NOT the "typical" mainstream Religion concept of worship. I don't view the Gods as being some etherearl Beings in some far removed place, desiring to be simply worshipped and adored from afar. Rather I view it as a one on one relationship that is mutually appreciated by both me and them and one that leaves me feeling fulfilled and close to them.

Brightest Blessings,
Raji the Green Witch

Answer 3

Reading swordarkeereon's post - I'd have to say, I worship and honor my deities, just as I honor my ancestors, my family and myself. I don't bend my knee to them or offer servitude. I guess it would be best described like someone offering their sword to a king and pledges loyalty with a bit higher level/touch of worship.

I do think pagans view their deities different than some mainstream religions and very few pagans or heathens would "turn their lives" totally over to a deity, no matter who it is. I think the deities expect us to figure out how to get through life and take responsibility for ourselves and our actions (and not blame an evil deity or wait until the afterlife for "rewards").

Sorry if I'm rambling, down with the flu and I need more caffeine.

Answer 4

I don't see anything wrong with the term "worship." According to M-W, "worship" is defined as:
1 : to honor or reverence as a divine being or supernatural power
2 : to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion

I'd say combining those two definitions fits my relationship with gods and goddesses quite well. I regard divine beings with great respect and honor.

Answer 5

I regularly use the word "worship." I also use "respect" "honor" and "work with" depending upon the context, but in general I have nothing against saying "worship." Worship acknowledges that there are powers greater than myself. I'm ok with that assessment. I'm not sure why someone would call a being a god if they didn't think that being was greater than themselves!

Answer 6

Pagans do NOT follow your god or the bible. In Islam you're not allowed to worship Jesus as a god, and yet you do. And yes Muslims consider the God in the Islamic concept is the correct one... So how come you disobey him? Answer that first or just give me a thumbs down.. ^_^ (Not cool, btw)

Answer 7

Well, my problem with that is simply that I view the gods as archetypes. So worshiping them would be inappropriate, to say the least. (Or at least, the way other religions use the word worship doesn't really cover my relationship with them.)

Honoring, on the other hand, implies respect but not subservience.

Answer 8

I think the problem is that somehow, somewhere the word worship got the connotation that there was groveling involved. I do actually worship my Gods because the word worship means to revere and hold in high regard. I also work with them, and honor them.

Please note: The word worship does not mean getting on one's knees to grovel. The actual dictionary definition is:

1. reverent honor and homage paid to God or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred.
2. formal or ceremonious rendering of such honor and homage: They attended worship this morning.
3. adoring reverence or regard: excessive worship of business success.
4. the object of adoring reverence or regard.
5. (initial capital letter) British. a title of honor used in addressing or mentioning certain magistrates and others of high rank or station (usually prec. by Your, His, or Her).

Answer 9

I'm not wild about the word "worship," because it implies a relationship that is unequal, i.e. a master/servant relationship, rather than a partnership, or even a teacher/student relationship. I see Goddess and God more as teachers than masters, I've never "worshipped" any of my teachers.

I prefer the word revere.

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Answer 10

I don't like to use "worship" because of the Christianity connotations it has.

I also prefer to say "honor" or "walk with" because I view my relationship with my God and Goddess as one full of respect for them, without it being a servant-master kind of relationship.