If a creator exists, why worship it?

[JustWondering]

Who decides when worship is "misplaced?" What is an example of this "great harm" that comes from honoring, respecting, and celebrating something? If worship more often than not is an expression of positive elements of a species, does the fact that a few may use it for "great harm" justify discouraging the practice of worship entirely? If a few people use knowledge to build bombs that blow up buildings, should we discourage study of chemistry?

To me, there's no such thing as "misplaced worship." It's arrogance for me to suggest there is, as it supposes that my values are the right ones and someone else's are the wrong ones. It's like me saying the only right favorite color is green, and anybody who has a different favorite color is wrong. Who am I to tell someone else what they deem of worth? It's not my place. Can some expressions of worship cause what others would label "harm?" Of course, all of which don't require the thing worshiped be labeled a god. I see great harm done in the worship of the Spirit of Money in my culture - where people value wads of cash over relationships, community, and the environment.

You just gave an example of one form of misplaced worship. Greed for wealth and power no matter what harm is caused to others. Refusing proven medical treatments or medical treatment altogether is another form of harmful worship. Inflicting self harm as a form of worship is... well, also harmful. Giving all your money, time and devotion to shady religious leaders is another form of harmful worship. Worship that includes or is based around a mindset that you are powerless and/or inherently flawed, sinful, guilty is psychologically harmful. Worship that encourages a belief/world view that there is a better life/afterlife that ultimately devalues the lives we are living right now.

 

[JustWondering]

We already create our own sentient beings, our own children, What is our greatest motivation for doing so? narcissism or love? mutual love, to give love as well as receive it.

My original question involved the creation of a NEW species artificially created by humans somehow, not procreation (humans having human babies). If you are going to post perhaps you should actually try answering the question that was asked.

 

[JustWondering]

Yep.
Unless there is absolutely nothing in your life that you adore, respect, honour, esteem or just simply put on a pedestal.

This thread is addressing worship of a creator "god".

 

[JustWondering]

This is tantamount to saying, "I'm going to paint a lovely watercolor picture of a flower using a Chilton's Manual for a 1976 AMC Pacer and a set of wrenches."

So someone who does not have or want faith in a supernatural entity/belief system lacks any sense/appreciation for beauty and creativity? That is complete nonsense.

Your arguments aren't reasoned or logical if you're engaging a theological proposition on the assumption that no Deity exists. Theological constructs necessarily assume the existence of Deity.

Whether a creator of some kind exists or not has yet to be proven. If a creator does exist does it even want to be worshipped? Is it worthy of worship? Could you answer those questions?

Further, if you understood the nature of worship of a creator (I'm assuming the Judaic/Christian concept of God), then you'd understand how useless and unreasonable your question is. because you'd realize that creation isn't an event, it's an ongoing process. IOW, God didn't create us in some past event in time, God is creating us throughout our lives -- and not only creating us, but creating with us. And since God is creating with us, our worship is an inevitable component of that creative process. Assuming that our process of creating "a new, sentient species" is comparable to God's creative process with us (which, from the way you posed the question, I'm assuming is the case), then it would only make sense for our "new, sentient species" to engage us in worship, just as we engage God in worship.

You are assuming the unproven and highly unlikely Judaic/Christian god concept, I said creator.

 

[sojourner]

So your god doesn't need worship but demands it anyway. The Abrahamic god seems mostly concerned with our obedience and being worshipped than what is right. Such a concept of "god" seems limited, petty, and cruel to me. However, considering the state of the world we live in "god" may be a petty and cruel creature if it exists.

The God of the ancients was portrayed that way. Not sure that's so much the case anymore. God in modernity is more concerned with relationship than with blind obedience.

God isn't a "creature," because God is not created.

 

[sojourner]

"Worship" is a human form of control over other humans. Just look at the historical record of societies, their leaders, their Gods, their wars, their land boarders. Maybe I should say Ours instead of Theirs?

It may have been used as such, but that's not what Christian worship is. It's not about control, it's about relationship-building.

 

[sojourner]

So someone who does not have or want faith in a supernatural entity/belief system lacks any sense/appreciation for beauty and creativity? That is complete nonsense.

No, you're missing the point. The point is that you're using the wrong tools for the wrong job in your OP.

Whether a creator of some kind exists or not has yet to be proven.

"Proven" isn't the issue. Theology revolves around the assumption of a God -- not "proof" of a God. You've just proved my point above. You're using the wrong tools for the wrong job.

If a creator does exist does it even want to be worshipped?

That's what the Tradition tells us. But worship is really more about building relationship. Since the theological construction is "God is love," and since love is an expression of relationship, it would follow that love desires close relationship, such as worship is designed to build.

Is it worthy of worship?

Of course. Relationship is written into human DNA -- we're "pack animals." We thrive on relationship, so it would only stand to reason that building relationship is a worthy venture for us.

You are assuming the unproven and highly unlikely Judaic/Christian god concept, I said creator.

the "Judaic/Christian God concept" is, first and foremost, creator. So my post is cogent.

 

[Awoon]

It may have been used as such, but that's not what Christian worship is. It's not about control, it's about relationship-building.

Where? Maybe in your church only? 40,000 Christian sects, more then verses in the Bible.

 

[JustWondering]

Humanity is not God -so it would not make sense to worship humanity as God.
God is not asking for anything unreasonable -but an acknowledgment of what he actually is, which is necessary for an accurate view of reality and a foundation for proper action.
Obedience to him is simply the best thing for us -as he is completely knowledgeable and has our best interest at heart.
The commandments are not grievous -and are the foundation of peace and happiness.

Even humans understand the need for unity and government -and God is the perfect foundation of perfect government.

Praise is another matter. Praise is something which is good for any -and God praises others who do well.

If some kind of creator "god" created us and this universe than I gladly thank it for giving me this life. However, your god claims are claims made by humans that lack any evidence to back them up. There is no evidence to show that any divine entity of any kind has interacted with humanity or this world for our benefit or detriment. If you have evidence to back your claims than please provide them. Otherwise, why worship a creator who created us but seems to have no interest in/plan for us?

 

[Willamena]

If the human race created a new sentient species in the future (doesn't really matter how in this scenario) would it make sense for us to have this new species worship us? I personally think that would be a bit odd and blatantly narcissistic.

Yeah, but you're not an ineffable, invincible, inalienable creator.

So, there.

So if humanity was created by a "god" would it want our worship? Is this "god" if it exists even worthy of worship since it doesn't interfere in our daily lives for good or ill?

Without god we'd be nothing?

I'm an atheist, but even I get this part.

 

[JustWondering]

In Christianity, it's not so much constantly praising "just because", it's an exchange of love. You love God because He loved you first. He loved you so much that He died for you.

I am not Christian. I have seen no evidence to convince me that the Christian god or any other religions god exists. Therefore, why worship an unknown creator?

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I am not Christian. I have seen no evidence to convince me that the Christian god or any other religions god exists. Therefore, why worship an unknown creator?

Just because you don't personally know Him, doesn't mean that others don't.

 

[JustWondering]

Every human being in this world is already worshiping something. If it's not your Creator, then it is some materialistic thing, or a personal thing, whatever it is.

Just look. There are people worshiping money, their own egos, or some person, an idol, a statue, metaphorically or literally. You're all worshiping something, you all adore something, you all love something so much you will give your life for it.

All you have to do now is realize, is it worth it to worship these things that you are worshiping? Is it worth worshiping money? Your egos? A special person in your life?

No matter what you worship and adore in this life, in this world, NOTHING is deserving of that worship. Money won't save you everytime, your ego will consume you in your own fire, a special person in your life will not be there for you all the time, that singer won't be singing for the rest of their life, that statue cannot even hear or see you. NOTHING that you worship in this world will benefit you in either way.

So that means, the ONLY thing worthy of worshiping is The One who created you. The One who created you, your family, your friends, your success, your abilities, every aspect of your life. The One who determines whether good comes to you or bad comes to you. The One who knows your past, present, and future.

Tell me, is there anyone else who compares to The Creator? Is there anyone else worthy of worship?

It all starts by self realizing that you as a human already worship something. Once you figure that out, then understand if that thing is worthy of your worship. You will know that everything in the universe worships the Creator, and that the Creator is the only one deserving of worship and adoration, and nothing else.

If there is a creator why do you assume it cares about us? We could simply be a by-product of the creation of this universe or an experiment. Putting the claims of your religion and every religion aside and looking at the world and seeing it as it is doesn't support the existence of a creator that is concerned with our welfare and loves us. If you can provide any evidence that a loving creator exists than please provide it. Otherwise, evidence would suggest that if a creator exists it is at best apathetic concerning us. Why worship an apathetic creator?

 

[JustWondering]

This!

God doesn't need our worship. We need to worship him and only him, because whenever we worship creation, perishable dust, we will suffer. At the latest when we die, we will lose everything besides God and will suffer greatly, whenever we lose stuff, be it in time of death or while we are living. It is impossible for humans to not worship anything, that is why we need to worship God, or we will suffer greatly. God is the abiding and worthy of worship, everything else is perishable dust that we will lose. The funny thing is, that you don't even need to believe in God, to worship him Its completely irrelevant, if God exists or not. He is the only one worthy of worship, even if He didn't exist.

I don't worship a "god" and I am not suffering greatly. Where do you get this belief that not worshipping your god equals suffering. When did he tell you this?

 

[JustWondering]

"Worship" is a human form of control over other humans. Just look at the historical record of societies, their leaders, their Gods, their wars, their land boarders. Maybe I should say Ours instead of Theirs?

I agree.

 

[JustWondering]

Without god we'd be nothing?

I'm an atheist, but even I get this part.

What if we were created just to be a new snack food for the being/s that created us? Still worthy of worship?

 

[JustWondering]

Just because you don't personally know Him, doesn't mean that others don't.

If a creator exists I don't believe any human has any true knowledge about it.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

If a creator exists I don't believe any human has any true knowledge about it.

How unfortunate.

 

[JustWondering]

How unfortunate.

You can spare me your condescending attitude.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

You can spare me your condescending attitude.

Then stop making dumb statements. Your lack of belief has nothing to do with me.