Do We All Worship the Same God?

[Scorn]

The question is more complicated than the forum gives answer. We believe the true God to be Triune, and rejecting that is like rejecting the Son. That said, there is the Logos concept that various peoples in various places have different parts of the Logos and light. The Jews, naturally, have quite a bit of the Logos, but have not accepted the Trinity (I say "not accepted," because it was never there in Judaism).

I could see it in that sense, but Orthodoxy is very exclusivist, and I was interpreting the poll in the most absolute sense, which wouldn't include the Logos concept. If I include the Logos concept, then yes, I see God working to some degree in every religion, and would see a good bit in Judaism.

Perhaps I should have been more verbose...

So No*s, would it be fair to say then that when you worship the one true God, it is in fact defined better as worshiping the One True Nature of God?

 

[Linus7]

None taken , you're allowed to disagree, but i wouldn't advise it :areyoucra


Surely if you worship a deity you believe is supreme, then it can truly be nothing but God, even if you address the envelope 'wrong' in this case it'll reach the right person.

Well, that's part of what is at issue here, isn't it?

I don't believe you are correct.

It is possible to believe that one has the true God as the object of worship and yet be so wrong as to be actually worshipping a false, non-existent deity or perhaps even a demon.

Engaging in such worship alienates one from the true God.

 

[Halcyon]

Halcyon, I agree with you entirely, even down to your signature.
even if you address the envelope 'wrong' in this case it'll reach the right person - That is very well put

Thanks Mich! A new sig for a (slightly) new viewpoint .

Linus;
If God is God then it will know you are praying to it even if you call it uncle bob!

 

[jewscout]

Well, that's part of what is at issue here, isn't it?

I don't believe you are correct.

It is possible to believe that one has the true God as the object of worship and yet be so wrong as to be actually worshipping a false, non-existent deity or perhaps even a demon.

Engaging in such worship alienates one from the true God.

Ahh but if they were raised w/out knowledge of "the true G-d" does that automatically condemn them to, say, hell? What if they simply have never been exposed to a faith outside of their own their whole lives? (this of course on the assumption that there is a "true G-d")

 

[Linus7]

Thanks Mich! A new sig for a (slightly) new viewpoint .

Linus;
If God is God then it will know you are praying to it even if you call it uncle bob!

Are we talking about simple differences in the names of God from one language and culture to the next or more fundamental differences?

If one thinks he is worshipping the true God by offering God a human sacrifice or engaging in ritual orgies, is he in fact worshipping the true God?

If one thinks he is worshipping the true God, but imagines that God is merely the chief deity among a multitude of other deities, is he in fact worshipping the true God?

If one thinks he is worshipping the true God, yet believes all sorts of falsehoods about that God, is he in fact worshipping the true God?

As a Christian, I believe there are ways of worship and belief that are not only unnacceptable to God but entail the worship of false gods.

 

[No*s]

So No*s, would it be fair to say then that when you worship the one true God, it is in fact defined better as worshiping the One True Nature of God?

Well...this is a hard subject .

If I understand you right...I'd say "no," because the two are connected. When I say that the logos reveals Himself everywhere, there is a strong sense that, say, the Greek philosophers were reaching toward the One God, but in the same sense, they had a very alien construct. Things in life are often not so easy to outline or explain .

 

[No*s]

Ahh but if they were raised w/out knowledge of "the true G-d" does that automatically condemn them to, say, hell? What if they simply have never been exposed to a faith outside of their own their whole lives? (this of course on the assumption that there is a "true G-d")

(I know it wasn't addressed to me, but I'll speak anyway lol)

For my part, I would say "no." God works with who He will, and frankly, the difference in the afterlife is how we experience Him...so I don't think we can say what will happen to them .

 

[almifkhar]

there is only one god no matter how you choose to worship or what name you perfer to call it, god is god.

 

[Master Vigil]

I believe we all worship the same god. We just do it in different ways because, well, we're all different. Hence, my "is religion like a toy" theory.

 

[painted wolf]

well, I have to say that from my religions view point, we all worship the same creator. Creator didn't give 'truth' to just one people from one place and in one time... he made ALL people and thus is involved in ALL our lives.
He gave each of them a way that was good for them, a way that they could be closer to creation and live good lives.

If you live a good life, can that be a gift from anyone but 'the true god'?

wa:do

 

[Draka]

I haven't picked an answer for the poll because none of them seem to fit for me. Those religions that believe in a "one and only god" I would say that they are all worshipping the same "god". However there are religions that do not even believe in a god. More of a connectedness or way of peaceful life that is more human based. Their worship lies more with life itself than with a god. Second off, who is to say that any of the religions on this earth have it "right" and that there is a "true god". To declare that there is only one "true" god is very presumptious of our human condition. My answer is both yes and no, depending on the various religions on this planet.

 

[Draka]

Well, since I just explained myself anyway I guess I'll just pick "other" on the poll.

 

[john313]

i went with other. Of the religions listed i would say jews and muslims worship the one true God. christians look at Jesus as God and then the whole trinity thing with which i do not agree. I'm sure there are other religions that also worship the one true God, but i do not know them all and do not want to start a list and leave someone out.

 

[kiwimac]

As a Zoroastrian I would argue that all the "faces" of God are Mazda Ahura & that therefore worshippers of Allah, Yahweh, Krsna / Vishnu, the Horned God are worshipping Mazda AS LONG AS the religion leads folk to Good thoughts, Good Deeds and Good Words.

Kiwimac

 

[Halcyon]

Are we talking about simple differences in the names of God from one language and culture to the next or more fundamental differences?

If one thinks he is worshipping the true God by offering God a human sacrifice or engaging in ritual orgies, is he in fact worshipping the true God?

If one thinks he is worshipping the true God, but imagines that God is merely the chief deity among a multitude of other deities, is he in fact worshipping the true God?

If one thinks he is worshipping the true God, yet believes all sorts of falsehoods about that God, is he in fact worshipping the true God?

As a Christian, I believe there are ways of worship and belief that are not only unnacceptable to God but entail the worship of false gods.

The key lies in the fact that they do all think they are worshipping the true God, they may worship God in ways you may find unacceptable, human sacrific etc, but the object of their worship remains the same. If you have God in mind then you have God in mind, its as simple as that. If you told someone in say, a south american tribe, that Azazel was the true god and they started worshipping Azazel as God, they would not be directing their prayers towards a demon even though they call out his name, they would be praying to God because that's what they're thinking about.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

So No*s, would it be fair to say then that when you worship the one true God, it is in fact defined better as worshiping the One True Nature of God?

This is a well-formulated question. Good going!

 

[DianeVera]

The question assumes montheism. A polytheist could say that different people worship different gods, all or at least some of which are in some sense real, but none of which are the true cosmic God.

 

[Draka]

Even those people that are polytheistic or pantheistic still believe in usually Divine Parents. A Great Mother and Great Father that are above the minor gods and goddesses of their pantheons. In all though I think it is more a question of not A GOD that everyone is worshipping, phrased that way then the answer is "no", but the idea of THE DIVINE PRESENCE being universal throughout religions is probably more suitable a notion. With that wording, the answer is "yes".

 

[BruceDLimber]

Hi.

Mostly, yes, in that all the great religions do indeed worship the same One God (under various names). . . . (And in those currently considered polytheistic or atheistic such as Hinduism and some Buddhist groups, this in fact marks a straying from earlier monotheism.)

Best,

Bruce

 

[Druidus]

All Gods are merely aspects of the Source, like us.

I wanted to vote "other" and say "No, only Druids worship the true Gods.", though I don't really think that. The poll seems slanted towards Judeo-Christianity.