Err, this is one of those subjects where it gets very weird when you simultaneously accept two contradicting belief systems (if that's the right word). If you're not interested in spiritual rambling, skip the part marked as
mystic. DISCLAIMER: For the skeptics whose fingers start itching to point out the zero proof I have for what I say in that part, I'd just like to say I know. It's NOT meant to take as a literal, objective representation of reality.
<rationalist>
In my opinion no, they wouldn't, except possibly to provide humanity some kind of codified way of communicating with them. For whatever evolutionary reason we humans are wired to thrive on rituals. We build our lives around routines and spiritual traditions are just that. I have a hard time accepting worship for worship's sake. Why would a (possibly omnipotent etc etc) being of that magnitude need us humans to anything at all, other than some twisted entertainment? This naturally only applies to anthropomorphic gods. If the god(s) are part of physical reality (any flavour of pantheism) or simply an impersonal force (e.g. Brahman), then there is no one out there to receive the worship, making it irrelevant from the deity's perspective. It again comes down to what we humans perceive is our need.
So yeah, I really can't see any reason why any god would demand worship for any other reason than a) because we need it, b) because of some "spiritual law of nature" that simply says it has to be this way. And b doesn't exactly qualify as a proper argument, if you ask me.
</rationalist>
<mystic, all that follows is purely subjective and should not be understood as literal reality>
I've experienced a thing or two, among them encounters with a number of spiritual beings that could or actually do qualify as gods. Because of my Christian upbringing I've of course had a relationship with "the" God, but I actually had a hard time respecting him (long story, not dwelling on that here). I've cautiously looked for a Pagan deity that could provide a more beneficial relationship and was also once approached by a being I think was the Celtic god Cernunnos. I'm not the type of person who accepts authority without question - in fact I have an ingrained instinct to rebel against it. That's why it always comes as a surprise to me when I encounter a being that carries the kind of aura of dignity that simply forces me to bow to it/them. There is no demand from their side, but for me the only reasonable reaction in the situation is to show them respect. I lack the words to describe it properly, but it feels a little bit like a part of my soul [
rationalist: hmph, I don't have a soul] just knows somewhere inside it that it's the right thing to do. I know I just said a transcendent spiritual law of "thou shalt respect the gods" makes absolutely no sense, but at the same time it's very much how it feels like when you're put in the kind of situation.
And note: I'm not talking about necessarily obeying the deity in any way. I extend the same respect to any being higher than myself regardless of whether I deem it good, evil, benevolent or malevolent. If they turn out to be malevolent I might tell them to **** off, but only after properly greeting them first.
</mystic>
