Why worship?

[robvalue]

This is something that's been bothering me lately. Why would anyone think it's a good idea to worship anyone or anything? If Yahweh was real, I wouldn't worship him because he's a dick. But even if he wasn't, even if he was the most kind and loving God ever, why would I worship him?

I can be thankful, have admiration and respect, offer friendship, whatever. But what do either of us get out of worship?

The only real reason I can think of to worship anything is because you want to receive better treatment. Either in the form of gifts, or out of fear to avoid punishment. In other words, you're begging for stuff. The only other possible, and ludicrous reason would be that the God or whatever literally could not exist without this worship. Ironically, that is kind of true, but I doubt theists would even claim this.

So why worship anything other than for personal gain? Why not just say thank you? It's fucking creepy.

No matter what I did for someone, I would never expect nor want worship. Why would I?

[Spooky]

I believe the bible's opinion is simply: "He deserves it".

But you bring up a fair point.

[robvalue]

Thanks Yeah, why does he deserve it? Because he says he deserves it? Clearly he's just an egomaniac then. I mean, he's demanding it backed up with threat of torture/annihilation. Is that someone worthy of worship other than out of fear?

What would an all powerful God get out of it, and why is making the universe such a big deal? It would have been literally no effort or expense to him. Neither was moving a bit of himself around a bit, then back up to heaven.

No one even worships the brave folks who died in the world wars, making a real sacrifice for a real difference. They are far more worthy of worship, but even then, profuse thanks and rememberence is more appropriate.

I guess it's this twisted idea that he's just better than us, so we can only communicate by throwing ourselves down and declaring ourselves worthless. Bullshit.

[Spooky]

Thanks Yeah, why does he deserve it? Because he says he deserves it? Clearly he's just an egomaniac then. I mean, he's demanding it backed up with threat of torture/annihilation. Is that someone worthy of worship other than out of fear?

What would an all powerful God get out of it, and why is making the universe such a big deal? It would have been literally no effort or expense to him. Neither was moving a bit of himself around a bit, then back up to heaven.

No one even worships the brave folks who died in the world wars, making a real sacrifice for a real difference. They are far more worthy of worship, but even then, profuse thanks and rememberence is more appropriate.

I guess it's this twisted idea that he's just better than us, so we can only communicate by throwing ourselves down and declaring ourselves worthless. Bullshit.

You are correct, Jesus isn't the only one who died for us. The difference is many have met a soldier. I'm sure some theists will soon answer and give us heathens some fun thoughts on the subject.

[robvalue]

I'm sure they will. I didn't expect any atheist would think worshipping was a rational thing, but you never know! I don't want to generalize atheists like all theists do.

I don't think there's a good enough reason anyone could possibly tell me. But I'm all ears, if someone has one other than toadying/fear.

[Chad32]

It's a good point. Christians don't live considerably better lives as a whole. if they did, it would be a nice piece of evidence for their religion. A christian minority in a mostly islamic country is going to face much the same problems that the atheist minority in a mostly christian country faces. So it's not like Jesus is doing a whole lot of favors for them in this life.

Also why would a truly benevolent deity demand worship anyway? He makes it clear that the most important thing is to love him, despite the fact that you can't command someone to love you anyway.

The most christians can tell you is that it matters in the next life. Not that they can prove that their god, or the next life, even exists. You'll know when you get there, and it will be too late. Too late for what? Too late for the religious leaders to control your life, and profit from your efforts.

We're supposed to thank him so much for something that took so little effort, because all he had to do was will it to happen. And then he cursed the world after being disobeyed once, and repeatedly failed to fix it via mass murder. So he can make something by talking, but he doesn't know how to maintain it.

[robvalue]

Yeah, and I would consider worshipping in order to get to heaven to be toadying and/or begging out of fear. You're bowing down to a tyrant who has shown himself (in the make believe Xian world) to be a liar, and the most immoral piece of shit you could imagine. This is not worship, it's obedience out of fear.

I mean, I can understand the pragmatic need to pretend to worship some maniac who kidnaps you and keeps you at gunpoint, demanding it of you. You do it until you can get away. But I doubt theists would see this as the same, or admit this is what they are essentially doing.

[orangebox21]

Define 'worship'.

[Chad32]

Bowing down to someone, praising everything they do and overlooking every action they take that would make you wretch if it was anyone else doing it.

[Spooky]

I think cats are more worthy of worship than the Christian god. I know they exist, and they ocassionally offer something in return.