Do you worship anyone or anything?

[lightbulb27]

The word "worship" is related to "worthy"... to honor, esteem.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worship

What is worthy to you?

[Lliam]

No. I'm not religious, so I don't worship any supernatural beings. I'm pretty sure they are all man-made creations.

I have great respect and admiration for some people, but I don't worship any. No one knows everything and everyone is flawed.

[lightbulb27]

that's a rational view that no people are worthy and thus good. that I agree with.
Have you ever tried to disprove the "New testament"? Do you view it as made up, false or other?

[Lliam]

@lightbulb27. I think it's mostly fantasy. None of the gospel's authors were there. It's like a fictional historical novel in which all of the dialogue and many of the events are made up.

I read a book called The Five Gospels: What Did Jesus Really Say. "The Five Gospels answers these questions in a bold, dynamic work that will startle traditional readers of the Bible and rekindle interest in it among secular skeptics. In 1985 the Jesus Seminar, comprising a distinguished group of biblical scholars, was founded by Robert W. Funk. They embarked on a new translation and assessment of the gospels, including the recently discovered Gospel of Thomas. In pursuit of the historical Jesus, they used their collective expertise to determine the authenticity of more than fifteen hundred sayings attributed to him. Their remarkable findings appear in this book."

In 1945, a group of farm hands digging for fertilizer in the Egyptian desert made a discovery that would dramatically change our understanding of the early church.

They had unearthed several early Christian texts including gospels of Thomas, Philip and Mary that had been buried away for around 1,600 years.

These gospels were some of the many alternative books about Jesus that weren't included in the Christian Bible. They had been side-lined by the early church as it worked out what became the official version of Christianity.

[Lliam]

Although lost for centuries, the Gospel of Judas was known to have existed because it was mentioned by St. Irenaeus of Lyon, who condemned it as a fiction in ad 180. However, a Coptic translation (c. 300) of the original Greek text was discovered in a codex found in Egypt in the 1970s.

There were many Christian beliefs after Jesus' death. The Roman Catholic version won out. When they compiled the New Testament, their agenda was to prove that Jesus was divine and part of the Blessed Trinity. So they created a narrative to meet that end.

Later versions of the Bible further tweaked the narrative.

[lightbulb27]

I'll check out the book, sounds interesting... I assume someone challenged the history of it and translation.
I've met quite a few "intelligent... well read" people that challenged it, more than I, some that believe it's authentic and some don't.
What is most remarkable to me is how belief can free one and transform a life... often for the better. It's not logical or historical fact to me, but about how to connect to the higher level of that being... it's more resonance in my view.
Thus if someone addressed the deepest level of the human and resolve the problem, that be worthy. Even if it was a work of fiction, it's remarkable in that vision and achievement. Hard to believe such a group pulled off such a feat, to their deaths... if they suspected it was false. but people will follow blindly as well... possible, but seems a stretch to me...

[Lliam]

There is a Christian minister in our area that my wife heard about through a group she belongs to. The guy is totally cool. During the covid crap, he hosted events with some of the top anti-jab doctors, scientists and experts in the world. He's aware of a lot of things that average people are not and he does a good job of educating people.

When he speaks, he talks about God all the time and makes lots of references to quotes from the Old Testament that are germane to what we are living through today.
I just look at like pointing out profound messages from any other great books of fiction.
We can learn a lot from wise men throughout history through books, as well as through various religious and spiritual teachings.

I totally get what you mean when you said "What is most remarkable to me is how belief can free one and transform a life... often for the better. It's not logical or historical fact to me, but about how to connect to the higher level of that being... it's more resonance in my view."
Well said. It's very true.

[lightbulb27]

Ty. You synch well w my wife as she thinks the same. I found Christ in my 30s… took long time to ‘get it’. Now i see it. Esch has to find in their own truth and resolution. Even jesus said ‘not everyonr is mu sheep’ so i accept that. I met an amazing christian from california whom was making a movie on spiritual healing. Lost track. Theirs some strong believers amd leaders in California including john wimber whom started the vineyard movement of which i attended many years. Each is on their path…

[Nik1hil]

I worship, the eternal order.

I worship the Earth and all the planets and sun, and pay back by understanding knowledge about them (Dev rin)

I worship my teachers for all the knowledge and payback by teaching youngling the same. Knowledge (Guru Rin)

I worship nature for providing us resourcesa and payback by not destroying but maintaining it (Bhu Run)

I worship parents for raising me, and payback by raising my children ( Putra run)

I worship human, by treating other humans in human ways and not giving anyone inhumane treatment. (Manushya Run)

Welcome to "Sanatan Dharma" - " Eternal Order"

[Nik1hil]

4th one is Pitra* Rin*..

They are all Rin/debts

[Jessica405]

My partner. He has given up so much to be with me now that my eye sight has got so bad I can no longer work.

[lightbulb27]

so good to hear. we need help sometimes, that's why we have partners.
I pray for your eyesight healing. what happened?

[Jessica405]

It was thought to be AMD. A very recent examination shows perforated macular. Possibly cured by surgery. Going to see an eye sureon next month.

[Sonorous]

I believe that the universe & it's origins are unknown & will never be discovered by some tiny creatures trapped on some orbiting rock in some random galaxy within the at least 100 billion galaxies out there.

Until things change, the only entity I'm going to worship is myself.

[strateguy632]

unless a knowing being sent messages

[Sonorous]

I still wouldn't worship them. For instance, we could discover life somewhere else & we're smart enough to be able to convince them that we are their Gods (even though we're clearly not).

I believe that all entities in the universe are competitive & selfish. They have to be like that in order to be in existence. So aliens will be capable of some serious harm.

[ObscuredBeyond]

He said: "Stand back, let me handle this," and the swirling cloud of demons scattered. Doesn't mean life became problem-free, just bearable.

[Juxtapose]

I don't worship anything. There are some things I really appreciate in life such as loyalty, love and reason.. but I don't exalt such things beyond their station and recognize everything is flawed.

[Billlewis]

I worship the superior female, and if she has a boyfriend, I worship him, as well.

[StarWarGirl]

@Billlewis According to you what's the definition of that superior woman whom you could worship?

[Billlewis]

@StarWarGirl I'm helpless against the allure of an arrogant, demanding woman who is dating a guy whom she's having sex with regularly, and I love it when she ridicules me and laughs at me for being such a loser, etc.

[lightbulb27]

didn't expect that answer. ok, it's your right to worship what you wish. what caused you to feel below strong women. abuse?

[Billlewis]

I'm just much more comfortable when we can both acknowledge her inherent superiority and my lowly status as a personal servant and maid, etc.

[Anonymous]

As a Christian, I only worship the Lord of Lords/King of Kings

[jshm2]

Why would you worship "anyone" when, they are/were a man like you?

[Agape93]

Absolutely

[Anonymous]

God of course