You make a good point. The first question and answer of the Westminster Catechism reads: Q: What is the chief end of man? A: to glorify God and enjoy him forever. The verbs point to more familial relations with God.
"There are plenty of people who worship God, but who - on key issues and overall in life - take the side against God. That is; they may go through all manner of prescribed activities that are traditionally reckoned (in their tradition) to constitute worship - study, prayer, rituals, professed beliefs etc. But at the bottom line - in thought, word and deed - these 'devout' people support Satan's agenda." This describes the currently installed president of the United States to perfection, except for the study and prayer part. As a Catholic, what I fear is that it might also describe the incumbent Pope. I certainly think it describes Welby.
3 September 2023 at 17:20
The business of "worshipping" God, and positing a God that demands worship (maybe or-else doing bad things to us) is a thing that many people find an incomprehensible demand; and I tend to agree! To me, the idea of a God that requires worship is un-Christian both in origin and its perpetuation (un-Christian although not-necessarily anti-Christian). It is often a hangover or assimilation from religions where God is not our Father and not Good; and therefore a God that both wants and needs to be propitiated - and, in general, treated like the most ruthless and powerful kind of despot. However, I understand that there are many (most?) people whom I regard as real Christians but who do feel that the worship of God is necessary, and perhaps central to their Christian lives. That's fine by me! - What matters to me is not whether somebody worships God, but whether he is on God's side in the spiritual war of this mortal world. There are plenty of people who worship God, but who - on key issues and overall in life - take the side against God. That is; they may go through all manner of prescribed activities that are traditionally reckoned (in their tradition) to constitute worship - study, prayer, rituals, professed beliefs etc. But at the bottom line - in thought, word and deed - these 'devout' people support Satan's agenda. Indeed; this combination of devout worship with Satanic-activism is so common in the Christian churches of 2023 as to be "the new normal" - and in some instances it is compulsory. On the other side; there are plenty of people who do Not worship God; but who instead love God, regard him as their Heavenly parent, and do the best to think, speak and live in accordance with God's destiny and the unfolding of divine creation. And there are plenty of people who desire above all to follow Jesus Christ to resurrected eternal life in Heaven; but who do not worship in accordance with any explicit group-ideal of exactly what that entails. Taking God's side and following Jesus is what matters; not whatever-is-meant-by "worshipping".
"Set-aside the business of "Worshipping" God, if you want: What matters is whether or not you Take God's Side"
2 Comments -
You make a good point. The first question and answer of the Westminster Catechism reads: Q: What is the chief end of man? A: to glorify God and enjoy him forever. The verbs point to more familial relations with God.
31 August 2023 at 14:34
"There are plenty of people who worship God, but who - on key issues and overall in life - take the side against God. That is; they may go through all manner of prescribed activities that are traditionally reckoned (in their tradition) to constitute worship - study, prayer, rituals, professed beliefs etc. But at the bottom line - in thought, word and deed - these 'devout' people support Satan's agenda."
This describes the currently installed president of the United States to perfection, except for the study and prayer part.
As a Catholic, what I fear is that it might also describe the incumbent Pope. I certainly think it describes Welby.
3 September 2023 at 17:20