Worship

[Erebus]

If you believe in a god or gods, do you worship them?

If you worship them do you do so because they demand it or because they deserve it, or both?

Grovelling before a deity as a slave is a big no-no in the LHP and Demonolatry (the religion I most closely identify with). We consider ourselves the equal of our gods and are encouraged to think of them as teachers and friends rather than a master who holds us in fear and awe.
Demonolaters do not try to force a Demon to act on our behalf, instead we make requests and will leave some form of token to show our appreciation (personally I will leave milk, tobacco, wine or a drop of my own blood. Blood isn't necessarily required, it's down to personal preference). Similarly the Demons don't force their will upon us and never ask for blind obedience, instead they ask that we develop ourselves as an individual and ask that we share mutual respect with them.

I tend to avoid the word "worship" simply because it implies that you are worth less than your deity, which is not an acceptable attitude in the LHP.

 

[Helio]

Quran says in Surah Ikhlas (Holy Qur'an 112:1-4) is:
Say: He is Allah, the One and Only! Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not nor is He begotten.


He (GOD) is a creater we humans are not? No human can create a single atom or even thing smaller then that, man has not created a single thing , he only discover it.



(Reply)

In the old testament there is no passage that indicates ''GOD'' creating man, but there is however ''GOD'' or ''GOD's'' saying ...,''come.. let us make man in our image, after our likeness''
sugesting that ''man'' was allready here on earth...

these are not words from my own imagination, its on the ''holy book''.

 

[painted wolf]

If you believe in a god or gods, do you worship them?

Yup.

If you worship them do you do so because they demand it or because they deserve it, or both?

Neither... I do so to express my thankfulness. I try to stay mindful of the fact that I rely on a lot for my survival and grateful for what I have.

I have a hard time understanding why any being would want worship. If I were a genius roboticist and created a race of sentient robots I wouldn't ask for their worship but rather hold them as my equals. I can't put myself in a god's shoes that asks for worship and get it to make sense to me... any insights?

No insights... I don't believe in a god that demands worship.

Edit: I guess a helpful definitional question should also be included: what is worship? Is there a difference between worship and great respect?

I don't really see a difference, except perhaps of degree.

What's the deal with some religions and the bowing of knees and the feudal-esque lordship of God?

I'm not sure... except that their religions were largely formed in feudal lordship cultures and thus reflect that.

wa:do

 

[Starsoul]

If you believe in a god or gods, do you worship them?

If you worship them do you do so because they demand it or because they deserve it, or both?

Yes to the first, And No to the second. People worship God not because He asks for it, But because PEOPLE themselves have a Dire Burning Need for following, seeking and Falling deeply in love with beauty and perfection ( in all superlatives of Glory , enlightenment and spirituality, man Always is Looking to acknowledge/ bow down to, be continuously fully inspired by (in every aspect) to something much greater and powerful than his own existence, which makes him strong rather than dependent on his mortal , short-lived escapades of happiness, which takes his misery away and restores his peace of mind, bringing him closer to the purpose of his existence) .

That human desire and requirement has been given a means to expression, which is called worship. And Only God fits the model of perfection that humans really look for to ACCEPT as anything bigger, powerful, Full of Love, forgiveness and inspiration, than their ownselves. Worship is the way to experience True, ever-inspired, everlasting, and ever growing Love.

I have a hard time understanding why any being would want worship. If I were a genius roboticist and created a race of sentient robots I wouldn't ask for their worship but rather hold them as my equals. I can't put myself in a god's shoes that asks for worship and get it to make sense to me... any insights?

Offcorse your robots would not require emotional and spiritual guidance so all you'd take care of is their mechanical needs. Comparing humans to robots is a bit too unfair. You are wrong in that assumption too, as i earlier described that the need for worship is a Human attribute ( attribute of all creatures basically) and God provides humans with ,for that personal link with Him, a chance , everyday, so that they can lighten up and forget their sorrows of the day while bowing down to God. You probably need to ask people who worship, how exhilirating and peaceful that experience is, to really know what it means to them).

In some religions prayers have been kept mandatory, ONLY because people would not miss that wonderful opportunity deeming it insignificant owing to laziness or desperation , missing out on a perfect opportunity to pass on all their stress and worries into the hands of God who is calling out everyday to those who need help. It really is a de-stress excersize, a soothing, calming, spiritual endeavor.

Edit: I guess a helpful definitional question should also be included: what is worship? Is there a difference between worship and great respect? What's the deal with some religions and the bowing of knees and the feudal-esque lordship of God?

Respect is acquired when one becomes aware of, or admires someone's absolute wonderful characteristics. And Worship is, when one truly falls in Love with that figure of respect with all awe. Hope that answered a bit.

 

[Madhuri]

Well, this is my story.

My Ishtas are Radha and Krishna. They are the male and female aspects of the Divine. Their union is Love. They are Love. So my 'worship' of Radha and Krishna is all in the context of Love. My entire spirituality and philosophy on life is around this concept of Love. So by and through my worship, I devote myself and surrender myself to Love

No demands from God at all. It's something that helps me to expand my love for all life and all things, even if it is just a representation.

 

[Starsoul]

In fact, in addition to its being a kind of worship that includes submission, veneration, and peacefulness, Salat (The Islamic Prayer) increases efficiency of the human heart and blood circulation in the human boy. Here, we shall talk about Salat from a very strict perspective, namely its relationship with the human body and health.

In fact, diseases of the vertebral column are very rare among Muslims who observe Salat, which includes such movements as bowing, prostrating, and standing up, which very useful to the vertebral column. All kinds of Arthritis are also rare among Muslims who observe Salat.

Also, varices and deep vein clots are rare among Muslims, and so is vascular congestion in the pelvis, which causes hemorrhoids and uterus hemorrhage.

Difficulties in breathing, which are caused by increase of Carbon Dioxide in the lungs, are also rare among Muslims, because compulsory exhalation caused by bowing and prostration activates the heart and lungs.

Alzheimer and senility are also uncommon among Muslims, because prostration causes more blood to flow into the brain and prevents such diseases that are caused by deficiency of blood in the brain. Therefore, prostration forces more blood to flow into blood vessels of the head by the force of gravity. In this context, Allah’s Messenger, (PBUH), used to bid Bilal, the venerable Companion, may Allah be pleased with him, “O Bilal! Call (people) to Salat (Islamic Prayer)! Relieve us with it!” [Narrated by Abu Dawood (4985) and Ahmad (23137)] This is because Salat (Islamic Prayer) causes both physical and spiritual comfort.

In fact, a Divine Command of Allah’s is far too Great and Wise to be justified by one single vindication or benefit. The good things underlying Allah’s Most Wise Divine Commands are innumerable.

An experiment carried out by some scientists showed that when the head is lowered downwards, blood gathers therein and pressure on arteries increases. But when the head is then suddenly raised up, the pressure decreases. This rise and fall of pressure makes blood vessel more flexible. This means that a person whose blood vessels are flexible can bear 23 degrees of pressure, while a person who does not perform Salat (Islamic Prayer) cannot bear even 18 degrees of pressure, the blood vessels of his brain will be torn out at such degree of pressure, and he will have a brain failure.

Uterus overturn, which is common among women, is treated by special exercises that resemble greatly movements done while performing Salat (Islamic Prayer).

 

[Wotan]

"People worship God not because He asks for it, But because PEOPLE themselves have a Dire Burning Need for following, seeking and Falling deeply in love with beauty and perfection ( in all superlatives of Glory , enlightenment and spirituality, man Always is Looking to acknowledge/ bow down to, be continuously fully inspired by (in every aspect) to something much greater and powerful than his own existence. . . . "

Speak got yourself, Bud. I have no such self-effacing toadiness in my nature and no respect for those who do.

 

[The Neo Nerd]

If you believe in a god or gods, do you worship them?

If you worship them do you do so because they demand it or because they deserve it, or both?

I have a hard time understanding why any being would want worship. If I were a genius roboticist and created a race of sentient robots I wouldn't ask for their worship but rather hold them as my equals. I can't put myself in a god's shoes that asks for worship and get it to make sense to me... any insights?

Edit: I guess a helpful definitional question should also be included: what is worship? Is there a difference between worship and great respect? What's the deal with some religions and the bowing of knees and the feudal-esque lordship of God?

Worship is more about the worshiper than the worshipee.

Worship makes the worshiper feel good about themselves.

Group worshiping is an activity of social cohesion.

-Q

 

[ninerbuff]

Worship is more about the worshiper than the worshipee.

Worship makes the worshiper feel good about themselves.

Group worshiping is an activity of social cohesion.

-Q

Gold star for the correct answers!!! Hoo ah!

 

[Sententia]

I guess I just don't understand because if I could create life I would do it freely and ask for naught in return aside from them to be good to each other.

Making life can be fun. But they need a lot of love and instruction once they are breathing on their own.

As far as worship?

I think that came about as people seeing god as their parent. Everyone has a real parent and most people respect their parents and look to them for guidance. (Not all... But there are normally extenuating circumstances) In any event if you look at god as your parent then you might look for guidance and give respect to whatever conjured concept of god you might come up with. I guess it depends on the god too.