Salon published this essay...a quotation:
For science to become a true object of worship, it must elbow aside the reassuring and seductively simple belief that "God loves you." This deeply personal faith statement would have to be replaced with one that says something like: "The cosmos worked really long and hard to create you and you should be really appreciative."Faith matters...whether it's faith in YHWH or some "original cause." Posted by tripp at July 31, 2008 08:34 AM
Well, yes, faith matters *if one intends to worship.* Whatever the object of that worship may be.
But, really, why worship?
Posted by: Megan at July 31, 2008 11:43 AMMegan,
I think I may have a similar problem to you with the quote and the essay. Though, if one has faith-trust relationship- in what grounds your being and which is totally other, worship is part of that faith. Of course why one needs or should believe in such is not answered by the quote nor in the essay.
Worship is an act of thanksgiving, a moment of communion and recognition of that which created the universe. Why would we do that? It seems natural to me...it's paying honor, saying thanks, being in communion. Sunday (or Friday, or Thursday) ceremonies aren't the only way to do this...but it is not a bad place to start.
Posted by: Tripp at August 1, 2008 07:14 AMI see your point. But it all depends on believing that there is something that created the universe, and that is capable of hearing/responding to your thanks.
Would you really worship Chance? Accident?
Posted by: Megan at August 1, 2008 12:04 PMNo. Not at all. But maybe an underlying point of the essay is simply that faith need not include worship as you and Larry first suggested. Faith and worship are, perhaps to the author, disconnected in some way.
Unless canoe-ing and being "really appreciative" is worship.
Posted by: Tripp at August 1, 2008 12:18 PM