Why worship?

[orangebox21]

I'm sure christians would define worship more positively than I did, and the strict definition of the word is likely different, but that's what it boils down to. Giving credit where it may or may not be due, and ignoring all the negative stuff. Making excuses for someone because they're special.
Kind of like these accusations that Bill Cosby raped some women. He's a cultural icon, and thinking he might have raped anyone would be akin to finding out Fred Rogers is in the KKK or something.

That doesn't answer my question.

They say this god is all just and merciful and loving, but he kills people at the drop of a hat,

Not true, in timing nor reason. When God revealed to Abraham (Genesis 15) that He would destroy the Amorites and give the land to Abraham's descendants, He didn't destroy them at the drop of a hat. It was done with purpose (due to their iniquity), and in proper timing (waiting for their sin to be great enough that the punishment fit the crime). In fact, Abraham's descendants were held captive in Egypt during the wait.

doesn't help his followers enough that their lives are substantially better in places where they're the minority,

Should God have to earn my worship by making my life substantially better? Why couldn't He earn my worship by forgiving my sin debt?

and the second you die it's apparently too late to start believing.

Why is that wrong?

Well, what does worship mean to you orange? Simply gratitude? I didn't realize there was something to address, sorry.

No problem. I just wanted to understand how you are defining worship. First, to understand where you are coming from. Secondly, to see if it is a definition consistent with the Biblical position.

As for me, the Bible speaks of what perfect worship is, and it may surprise you...(examples include Romans 12:1, James 1:27)