Why is God worth worshiping?

[Terese]

Ah I see. This does make a ton of sense. And truly worthy of deep respect. It is an ideal we must all aspire to, am I right in understanding your view?

I would say so, yes

 

[Jumi]

How do you define worship?

 

[FlyingTeaPot]

How do you define worship?

In its etymological sense. A feeling of deep respect, adoration, devotion and reverence.

 

[Brickjectivity]

How do you define worship?

Maybe it means a lot of talk and emotional gushing that helps us feel good about ourselves. I don't think that is what all theists think, but in this thread it appears to be the case.

 

[Jumi]

In its etymological sense. A feeling of deep respect, adoration, devotion and reverence.

Then the experience of God is already worship, it happens on it's own. There is no need for ritual...

 

[Brickjectivity]

Then the experience of God is already worship, it happens on it's own. There is no need for ritual...

So maybe ritual is for something else and maybe worship isn't a feeling of adoration for a being? Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store?

 

[FlyingTeaPot]

Then the experience of God is already worship, it happens on it's own. There is no need for ritual...

How do you experience god then? There must be something about the god you believe in that makes you worship him/her, right?

 

[Brickjectivity]

How do you experience god then? There must be something about the god you believe in that makes you worship him/her, right?

Yeah, how indeed would you 'Experience' god? Can you make god present itself and express itself to yourself? That doesn't seem likely to me. More likely you can't, and so worship could be something else than what is assumed in the op.

 

[TawheedIsTheOnlyWay]

Well, that is precisely what I want to know. Why does He deserve your worship?

Because God is the greatest. He is the one who gives and takes life. He is the one who creates out of nothing. He is the one who provides for all. He is the one who makes people happy. God is self sufficient, He doesnt need our worship, but we need God.

 

[wizanda]

So true understanding is the highest goal, correct?

The ultimate goal is to be 0neness; to realize Oneness we need to remove all the veils of delusion... True understanding stems from the CPU, and Oneness (Heaven) surrounds it.

Okay, so in your opinion, people who don't worship by definition cannot reach a higher sense of self, and must therefore eventually end up in the darkness?

It isn't about reaching a sense of self; it is about learning to be selfless, worship is a selfless act.

If we don't acknowledge the CPU we will eventually end up in darkness (Hell)...

Yet it isn't about worship in the classic sense, it is about reflecting with the light (metaphysical); it is about not reflecting only with our selfish material desires.

Can worship take any form?

Personally think you can do anything as worship, as long as you're intent is in the right direction...

Like eating, having sex, singing, dancing, can be worship; it is what the heart focuses on...

Whereas someone who makes a point of ritualistic worship, who's heart isn't in the right direction, can actually create the opposite affect.

Like we're in a reality made of consciousness, where everything is energy; it is the aspect of turning towards the light, that is the important part.

In my opinion.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

To all my friends who are theists out there, I would like to understand why you worship your God.

Some theist get defensive when you question their faith beyond the basics. Putting atheist in one put doesnt resolve the issue.

The act of worship or putting someone at a higher standard of reverence than yourself is just a way to say thank you. For example, some people say thank you to their parents for taking care of them; so, they take care of their parents. Its a physical appreciation for being treated well and taken care of.

So, if someone saves your life, would you not want to say thank you?

As for how one worships-puts one on a petelstool for reverence-depends on the person and culture. Singing (and dancing etc) as well as chanting brings vibrarions and a sense of peace and oneness with the person or thing one sings to. Some people do it because they cant think of words to express how greatful they are. Others are just gratitful in general and dont need to "be saved" to say it.

Why people get defensive, probably because how one gives reverence (gratitude) is highly personal. Also, if you spark a nerve of one's truthfulness of their worship it makes them fustrated and they blame it on the person asking the question rather than responses towards questions that cant hurt people.

Its kinda complicated why people worship. I feel its better understood in religions like Hinduism and non evagalist religions. There is a peace of giving whats given rather than holding what they feel will be mistaken. (Charity with reservations)

 

[Stevicus]

Because God is the greatest. He is the one who gives and takes life. He is the one who creates out of nothing. He is the one who provides for all. He is the one who makes people happy. God is self sufficient, He doesnt need our worship, but we need God.

We did not need God before He created us. Humans never asked to be created. It's obvious that God (if such a thing even exists) had some "need" to create humans, perhaps because He was bored and wanted something to entertain Himself.

Of course, He provides basic sustenance. If He didn't, then there would be no humans, and then He would be back to square one with nothing to entertain Himself. If it's true that humans "need" God now, it's only because God stacked the deck that way. We never had any choice to begin with.

Assuming that the universe, Earth, and humanity was created by some sentient being, then it's clear that He "needs" something from us. But why does He "deserve" it? He may make a small percentage of people "happy," just like politicians who strive to make 1% of the population happy, while screwing the remainder of humanity, who may only "worship" God because they're victims of some form of Stockholm Syndrome. Maybe that makes God happy, but that would mean He is some sort of abusive tyrant and sadist.

 

[TawheedIsTheOnlyWay]

We did not need God before He created us. Humans never asked to be created. It's obvious that God (if such a thing even exists) had some "need" to create humans, perhaps because He was bored and wanted something to entertain Himself.

Of course, He provides basic sustenance. If He didn't, then there would be no humans, and then He would be back to square one with nothing to entertain Himself. If it's true that humans "need" God now, it's only because God stacked the deck that way. We never had any choice to begin with.

Assuming that the universe, Earth, and humanity was created by some sentient being, then it's clear that He "needs" something from us. But why does He "deserve" it? He may make a small percentage of people "happy," just like politicians who strive to make 1% of the population happy, while screwing the remainder of humanity, who may only "worship" God because they're victims of some form of Stockholm Syndrome. Maybe that makes God happy, but that would mean He is some sort of abusive tyrant and sadist.

He is not questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned. 21:23 Qur'an

 

[PureX]

I think 'worship' causes us to practice the idea of separation between ourselves and God. "Big God, little me."

I think we should practice 'embodying the spirit', rather than worshipping it. To bring it into ourselves, and to become a part of it.

... My opinion.

 

[corynski]

Besides what we consider evidence for our faith, we do indeed get some of our prayers answered. Indeed, many have been and very specifically so. However, we are not helped to a degree where it becomes something atheists cannot deny that we are better off than themselves.

Usually, exchanges with atheists are unproductive, but, if you have questions I feel like answering as I did this one, since it seemed serious, go ahead, and we'll see.

Grandliseur......Thank you for you reply. I guess what troubles me most is the degree to which science and the quest for reality are simply not considered, even ignored, within the religious paradigm. An objective, agreed upon reality is neither desired nor sought after, and the purpose of a religion is to achieve specific individualistic abstract goals, such as life everlasting or eternal joy in heaven, within a cultural framework designed to assure solidarity and continuation of the group. Why do religious believers devalue reality so? Is it because religion and reality are inimitable to each other? This is basically the question an atheist would appreciate being confronted as a starting point.

 

[Liu]

Because I feel like doing so and it feels awesome.
I'm in love with my deity and it gives me strength. It's my lord, my teacher and my muse.

From those who posted here so far I mostly agree with what @Kapalika wrote, but I'll try to put it in my own words, especially since I don't have the same Hinduistic background she has and therefore can't confirm whether parallels I see are really there or just me misunderstanding and simplifying.

I believe that our human conceptualizations of the divine are limited and lacking.
However, these conceptualizations (i.e. deities) are still one of the better methods of connecting with it.
The deity I so far felt by far the strongest spiritual connection to is the one which is venerated by Satanists and other LHPers under various names.
I don't know whether it is the most accurate representation of the divine there is, but it at least combines those characteristics of the divine that I'm most sure about with those characteristics that make me want to worship it.

There's an overlap between the following two lists and they are incomplete, but, to give you some rough impression:
Aspects that I'm sure about include that it's amoral, the source of consciousness, and (here I disagree with some LHPers) the natural world is an emanation of it.
Aspects that make me want to worship it include that it represents individual will and freedom, creativity, questioning/critical thinking,... ah, I can't really explain why I'm in love with it; those are certainly factors, but I can't really put into words what is so awe-inspiring about it.

In any case, even if those latter aspects may not be universal characteristics of the divine, they are still among those parts of it that one may find if one looks for it inside oneself.
And I believe that one's self is a manifestation of the divine.
In Satanism, one main focus lies on one's self.
Goals of spiritual practices (be it worship or other methods) are therefore self-development of various kinds. I guess in that area one can only know what goals are even possible to reach when one has achieved them. Some even believe we can become actual deities ourselves, i.e. immortal, independent of a physical body, and beyond the laws of nature. Who knows, but it's certainly a motivating factor.

It's also pretty cathartic to affirm in that manner all aspects of oneself (and of existence in general).

Possibly I'm just a submissive perv externalizing part of myself as my master and getting off on praising this part of myself.
But I don't think that would explain all of it, and even if, then so be it, I'm happy and it helps me.

 

[Grandliseur]

Wait. We get to vote for God? Since when? I thought God was running a one-party dictatorship, but if there are other candidates for God out there who have a shot at winning, maybe there might be something to it. Can God be impeached?

Each person chooses his own path. If you choose differently, that is your choice which you have to live with.
It is not as if I have anything to brag about. Some people vote with their money when they shop or refuse to shop at some places, others, vote with ballots, and others again vote for God, or for satan's do what you will world: anything at all goes - all things are OK - type of world.

What is your poison?

 

[Grandliseur]

I wasn't trying to get you to present on behalf of your religion. I wouldn't know what to do with all this evidence you provided All I wanted to know was what made your god worthy of your love and devotion.

Love of God is defined strictly as obedience. However, one comes to know God due to the interaction that occurs, and this means that a bond forms. I know He keeps his promises, and that is a world, this earth under one rule, no more wars, illnesses cleared up, etc. -- to me this and the personal promises given (through scripture) is worth my love and devotion. His demand of obedience is not for his own sake, but for our sakes.

Another person on this site posted a video I didn't look at, too stressful perhaps for me, but it highlighted the differences between human habitats and animal's. We are destroying our own world and we need someone to tell those of us, even nations, that this must not happen or else. Enormous plastic refuse in the middle of the oceans, and so much more. We need someone to tell us how to tow the line for our own sakes and the earth's.

 

[It Aint Necessarily So]

After reviewing this thread to date, I have to say that I cannot relate to very much of what I read here. My experience of life seems to be unusual.

I have no desire to worship even that which I greatly respect or which causes me to experience awe, find no benefit in meditating about what might be true or what makes me tick (I once did decades ago, but find no further benefit in that activity), have no sense of a relationship with anything invisible that I haven't met, and have no sense of suffering due to material desire.

Can you usually call the president, or ruler, whenever you have a problem?
Well, we can pray and get help with our needs. We might not get to talk to God in a person to person type manner, but we do get his attention to our problem. Do you have that with your chosen ruler?

Yes, I can call my ruler at any time and get immediate attention. The words aren't audible, but they are distinct and in English.

Maybe you have guessed by now that I am my own ruler. I'm a humanist, and among the values humanists typically respect are autonomy, self-actualization, self-reliance, and recognizing the extent to which we are all responsible for ourselves as well as others.

Christians typically refer to this attitude as trying to make oneself into a god, and mean it in a disparaging sense as if that is an act of rebellion and therefore immoral.

But of course, those aren't the humanist's values. We see the Christian attitude as a type of abdication of the self, which, if I can borrow from the religious lexicon, is the greatest sin - the sin against the self. Above all, to thine own self be true.

Besides what we consider evidence for our faith, we do indeed get some of our prayers answered.

Everybody has some of their hopes become manifest. I do, and no prayer is involved. I can actually say honestly that there is nothing more I want - just as much of the same as I can have.

Usually, exchanges with atheists are unproductive

I find exchanges with theists very productive. It's through such interactions that I have come to understand the various manifestations of faith based thought not visible to me when I was a faith based thinker myself.

Another person on this site posted a video I didn't look at, too stressful perhaps for me, but it highlighted the differences between human habitats and animal's. We are destroying our own world and we need someone to tell those of us, even nations, that this must not happen or else. Enormous plastic refuse in the middle of the oceans, and so much more. We need someone to tell us how to tow the line for our own sakes and the earth's.

I'd say that we have those people now - hundreds of millions if not billions of them.

What we need are people to listen to them. Instead, they seem to listen to people like these instead:

• "My point is, God's still up there. The arrogance of people to think that we, human beings, would be able to change what He is doing in the climate is to me outrageous." - Sen. Inhofe, R-Okla

• "The Earth will end only when God declares it's time to be over. Man will not destroy this Earth. This Earth will not be destroyed by a flood. . . . I do believe God's word is infallible, unchanging, perfect." - Rep John Shimkus, R-Ill.

• "We don't have to protect the environment, the Second Coming is at hand" - James Watt, Secretary of the Interior under Reagan

 

[It Aint Necessarily So]

Things usually tend to degrade quickly with atheists.

About that, we agree.

I find that the Christian theists in particular tend to get unduly emotional quite quickly and are easily offended. Look at Flying Tea Pot's demeanor in this thread compared to those that have already begun to make it personal. How many times has Flying Tea Pot had to tell Christian posters taking umbrage at his very polite words and apparently sincere inquiry that he meant them no offense. Why should that even come up?

Many if not most Christians become offended when told that their god doesn't seem worthy of respect as described in their scriptures. The believer might tell me that he worships a god, and I neither like nor dislike him more.My reaction would be about the same as if I were told the time.

When I give my view, I'm pretty sure that I'm seen as immoral and immediately disliked and disrespected - an emotional and negative reaction.

Consider how you feel about the words I just wrote, words that are believed sincerely and offered both constructively and dispassionately into the marketplace of idea for consideration. Is that how you read those words, or do you see them as an attack on what you consider sacred? Do you see me as a guy with an alternate viewpoint as I do you, or do you view me as a bad person in open rebellion to a god he should be adoring, and therefore deserving of some kind of cosmic punishment?

If the latter, then that is where things degraded for you with this atheist.

We feel that archaeology, prophecies, and the witnesses in the Bible give us enough base our beliefs on.

We have that much in common.

you [Flying Tea Pot] seem eager to dismiss worship

I didn't get that impression. I didn't see where he offered any opinion on worship. He seems to want to know why people worship, what they consider worthy of worship, and what they seem to get out of it.

[Worship is a] feeling of deep respect, adoration, devotion and reverence.

I have other ways of describing those feelings. They are characteristic of love and spiritual experiences not involving gods or religion. There are things and ideas that I cherish and feel connected to without any sense of worship - my wife, my dogs, my community, and the cosmos.

The sine qua non of worship for me is the of the element of subjugation and self-deprecation: "Thou art so great. I am but an insect. I am not worthy of your love. I bow to you."

Where the Christian praises the idea of the killing of the self in the manner I just described, I find that repellent and beneath the dignity of man.

I have no desire to be worshiped, and not much respect for anybody or anything that does. I think of people like the American and North Korean heads-of-state. I think of that famous cabinet meeting when Trump's inner circle took turns praising him. If you haven't seen this yet, skip ahead to 1:05 in this video and behold about 2 minutes of worship. Should I view a god that requires this any differently than that man?: