Why does the existence of a god imply worship/prayer to that god?

[Hoatzin]

Just wondering.

[paperairplane]

cuz you just said.. you don't have to do shit unless you make it up in ur own head

[paperairplane]

its also a matter of self respect, i think

[Hoatzin]

cuz you just said.. you don't have to do shit unless you make it up in ur own head

Um... okay.

It just seemed to me that there's a leap in logic when people try to argue the existence of a god, that they tend to ONLY argue his existence, but then not explain why his existence (or the possibility of) alone is reason enough that one should not only have to believe in him (unlike just about everything else that exists), but that there's some positive consequence of doing so.

Can anyone explain that?

[paperairplane]

Just like I can say I drink milk everyday and its good for me, someone can say I believe in god and its good to do so.

Its just a belief.

Why are you asking this question? why do you think it will have a positive consequence?

[paperairplane]

Also I think its mostly you making assumptions about what other people mean, when I say god exists, I mean exactly that. and god does exists. because if not, you wouldn't have just read it. it doesn't mean you need to go and devote yourself to what you think god is, you've already done that.

god exists.

its just a phrase

worship/prayer.. these are just words, they are concepts

there are people who pray all day and dont even realize

[Hoatzin]

Why are you asking this question? why do you think it will have a positive consequence?



Hahaha.

[Strawberry_Fields_Fo]

Because some people want to feel that they are part of a larger picture--that they are not the be all and end all of life, that there is a larger system which they are a small part of. We all know we're not perfect, so some of us seek perfection in a being that is greater than all of us.

It is not logical, because God is outside of logic. There is more to life than being "rational" all the time. God is not out to prove himself to the objective world--he shows himself on the subjective level, to those who make the effort to listen. Think about it--if god were proven scientifically, then he/she would become just another scientific fact, taken for granted, like gravity.

"Worshiping" god does not mean you flog yourself and despair about not being worthy. That's what most people think of when they hear the word "worship" but that's only because the word has been used in the wrong contexts in the past. It's really just about acknowledging your relatively small place in the larger world. If you wish to believe in yourself, and ONLY yourself, be my guest. But it seems a rather small, limited thing to believe in.

[Hoatzin]

Think about it--if god were proven scientifically, then he/she would become just another scientific fact, taken for granted, like gravity.

Would that really be such a bad thing?

I don't know if it's something naturally antagonistic about me, but eople always seem to think I'm on "the other side", no matter what I say or what "side" they're on :D

[Strawberry_Fields_Fo]

Well, if god were taken for granted like that, he/she wouldn't have any influence as a force of good. Therefore, it would render god impotent, and rather useless.

[Hoatzin]

Wouldn't be a force for evil either though, I suppose.

[paperairplane]

but without good or evil we're kind of just left with nothing

[Hoatzin]

but without good or evil we're kind of just left with nothing

Yeah, and then I guess we'd just have to judge our actions and the actions of others based on their consequences, rather than assigning some acts with arbitrary labels such as "good" and "evil" which would then prevent such things as voluntary euthanasia while allowing things like torture. How will we cope?!

[Okiefreak]

I think there's a natural tendency among people brought up in the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) to rely on Scripture, which makes clear that God wants to be worshipped. It was clear to the pagans, too, that their gods liked it. I thik I know what you're getting at: Just because there may be some facts of nature inclining us to believe a Higher Intelligence might be operating in the universe, why do we assume it gives a shit about us or what we think or feel about Him/Her? Psychologically, it helps us to think we can make a connection with the Creator, and appease or influence Him/Her. But I don't see any evdience for this, unless we believe that Allah/Yaweh is God.

[Hoatzin]

Maybe. But that's the leap, as far as I can see. Those who attempt to argue that their god exists without wanting to appear to rely on holy books tend to work on uncertainty about the non-existence of a god that most rational atheists have to admit to.

I can't argue with that, but then it seems like a leap from there to the god that might exist being a god that cares whether we exist or not, let alone one that likes us or needs us to like him or acknowledge his presence in any way.

[relaxxx]

People want to believe there is a God who actually responds to their actions and thoughts. What is the point in believing in an indifferent and unresponsive god? There is no point. So to bother with belief in God, he must be a God in active synergy with our physical reality capable of direct and profound impact on our world. To believe God is capable of changing reality is the first requirement for the need to worship. The second reason if you are committed to first belief is that God will judge your actions and design a fitting future for you based on those actions. Finally believing that God painted this reality mixed with the realization that pain and misery are imposed as either test or punishment then the conclusion of mandatory worship is the only logical step left on an illogical path. Can one inflict pain on others without having an ego?