I think were worshipping the wrong thing.

I feel the same way. I can't remember a time when I actually fell on my knees in awe and reverence about anything, but I certainly feel that way a lot, especially when I encounter other humans, who remind me of the One whose image and likeness we bear. I also don't want to feed into the Christian tendency to disparage creatures and creation as unworthy of reverence. I think too much of that contributes to the trashing of our planet. Fortunately, there's a recent trend on the part of new Evangelicals to get over that and recognize our stewardship obligations, and if people need to think of Earth as our Mother to do it, I have no problem with that.

 

i am occasionally in awe when i see a chimpanzee too . . .

 

Yes, chimps are awesome, especially bonobos. They have such a wonderful way of saying hello.

 

That reminds me of the friendly folks at my high school, but I'll leave that story for another day.

 

This is exactly the line of thinking that I find interesting. Your senses don't actually perceive god but yet you worship it. "god" has characteristics of a deity, and so would our planet, except that our planet is tangible and measurable (as much as we can measure it), but our planet for the most part does not receive the same level of worship.

I on the other hand, would look for something tangible and measurable to worship. If I can at least perceive with certainity this being/object beyond doubt, and its worthy of my worship, I would likely choose to worship it. At least more so then another godlike object/being in which I can't perceive. To me it makes more sense to worship something that is definite rather then something not definite and such that requires blind faith. For one, I would know I'm not wasting my effort and energy (I am not saying worshipping whatever religion is a waste of time and energy, but to me unless its certain I won't bother with it).

If your dog and girlfriend were responsible for the creation, protecting, and sustaining of multiple life forms, in such a way that no other could, I think you would be worshiping them. In fact, I think many many people would be worshipping them.

So is sentience a requirement for worship?

 

worship: reverent honor and homage paid to god or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred.



devotion: profound dedication

 

We do not worship the Buddha.

 

LOL

that title is hilarious (the thread i mean)