Would God Really Want Us To Worship Him? (ritual, creation)

[DontWorryBeHappy]

Well, would he? Afterall He is a far more powerful being than us. He knows what was, is, and will be forever. Would he really think it necessary for people to gather and ask him for things? He already knows the outcome, so why would he want this? If he granted us free will, wouldn't he want us to live our lives to the fullest possible and not waste all our time on him?

Also, why should God be first in our lives? If he is all knowing, shouldn't we take care of our fellow humans first?

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by DontWorryBeHappy

Well, would he? Afterall He is a far more powerful being than us. He knows what was, is, and will be forever. Would he really think it necessary for people to gather and ask him for things? He already knows the outcome, so why would he want this? If he granted us free will, wouldn't he want us to live our lives to the fullest possible and not waste all our time on him?

Also, why should God be first in our lives? If he is all knowing, shouldn't we take care of our fellow humans first?

Well, I guess it would all depend upon what you mean by the word "worship." Since I believe every good thing in my life is from God, I feel that, if nothing else, I do owe Him a debt of gratitude. Since I believe He has the power to do anything at all, I would be crazy not to acknowledge that. I think that God wants us to develop faith in Him. Part of the way we do that is through prayer and worship. I believe that He rewards our faith by blessing us. And yes, He has granted us free will. But with free will comes accountability. By serving our fellow human beings, we are at the same time serving Him. Whatever good we do in His name is never time wasted, in my opinion.

I would say to appreciate all things, and probably to understand to live on a planet in part of the Universe is quite amazing. Love It.

[astarath]

Yes...next question

[Shannix]

I think it is very wise of you to ask such a question...it is one that I asked for years...never sat well with me the whole worship thing.

Come to think of it, my Sunday School Teachers really had trouble with me, as I questioned EVERYTHING...and just could not wrap my mind around some of the concepts...they just didn't fit with the God I had known all my life.

After years of questioning, and looking for answers...I have come to the conclusion that God does not require or want for anything, especially us worshiping him/her.

The message that continues to come thru clearly too me is simply this:

Each and every spiritual being, regardless of age, function etc is equilly as devine and important as the next.

Love has no needs, and the God that I know is the God of Love...Love and only Love.

The Devine God of our creation, of all creation has no need to punish, or demand service of us, as far as I can tell.

Anyhow...I could go on and on, but the long and short of it is this.

If you choose to worship, then do so to all that is creation, because we are all, everything you see or even concieve of is God.

IMO

Peace

Shannon

[James the Persian]

You think asking God for things is worship? That's just bizarre. Only in the west where the Protestants seem to have forever confusede prayer and worship could such a suggestion be made.

I don't think God needs worship or even wants it (I actually believe God is well beyond either wants or needs) but we need to worship God. In my view, it's rather like the relationship between myself and my children. They constantly do litle things for me, tell me they love me etc. I don't ask them to do it and if they stopped doing it I wouldn't suddenly deny them things or treat them badly, but they do it all the same. At least with the eldest, he seems to feel he ought to show gratitude when he gets things and the like. That's how we feel. Worship is much more about showing gratitude to God for what He has given us than anything else.

And asking for things certainly isn't worship - that's prayer, which is quite different.

James

[BruceDLimber]

Greetings!

Yes, God does ask this, but such worship is for our benefit, not His!

He needs nothing whatever.

Peace,

Bruce

[DontWorryBeHappy]

I think what I'm trying to get at is why should we organize people and go to Masses and such? I think God would like it better for us to organize people and help others. If you were in God's position, what would you do?

[uumckk16]

Originally Posted by DontWorryBeHappy

Well, would he? Afterall He is a far more powerful being than us. He knows what was, is, and will be forever. Would he really think it necessary for people to gather and ask him for things? He already knows the outcome, so why would he want this? If he granted us free will, wouldn't he want us to live our lives to the fullest possible and not waste all our time on him?

Also, why should God be first in our lives? If he is all knowing, shouldn't we take care of our fellow humans first?

I think I view the idea of worshiping God differently from the way you do. For me, worshiping God is about loving God and being grateful for what I have, and attempting to live my life in relationship to God. It doesn't necessarily mean doing certain rituals or going to certain services - but I don't see any harm in this, either, because for some people (including me) having some sort of ritual and community aspect to one's relationship with God helps one to center one's life in God. For some of us, centering ourselves in God ("putting God first") helps us to be more selfless and more willing to help the world.

[logician]

God doesn't exist, no need to worry about worship.