Rituals within religion - why?

[nobspeople]

Face one direction to pray.
Wearing specific pieces of clothing at specific times.
Eating specific foods.
Not eating specific foods.
Killing of animals as offerings.
Adorning the blood of an innocent animal around a door.

The list is almost endless as, within many religions, there are certain 'things' people can do or don't do, often at specific times and or for specific reasons. Some seem odd, some ridiculously stupid and others just don't make any logical sense (such is religion - there's little logic within it). But people do them because 'they're supposed to' because they 'represent' this or that.

While rituals do tend to 'help' (be it the passing of time, a sense of belonging, synchronizing of heart rates, etc), when dealing with a supreme being, what benefit do they have for it?

Surely, said being knows all (even knowing things about you that are absent in your own consciousness), so what difference does it make, to this being, what you wear when, why you face this direction instead of that, blood of an innocent animal (which is highly barbaric)?

What point do these things serve to this being?

[William]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #19]

Does ‘Love’ play favourites? bjs1 has been claiming ‘God is Love’ in support of the argument that God doesn’t need rituals (or anything else from humans). I don’t see how this Old Testament god’s treatment of Canaanites, Amakelites, etc. can be viewed in any light other than a story of a deity playing favourites.

A parent with say, six children would love them all equally, surely? Even if they are disrespectful and cause trouble. God appears to still be keen on annihilating many of his ‘children’ that don’t slavishly worship him - even after the whole ‘flood’ incident when he wiped out everyone apart from Noah.

Well when we regard the overwhelming effort humans have so far been through in relation to their reality hereabouts on this planet and having to learn the ropes on their own, not only does that adequately explain where narcissism derives, but also explains how narcissist's would think of as an image of a Supreme Being...somewhat in their own image...it is a reasonable logical conclusion to draw, regarding how the biblical idea of God went global...it was always rumbling around in the background anyway...as part of the general human psyche.

It has since been tidied up in costumes of grandiosity, [of course] and presented as a 'loving example of a loving entity' but...wait, what?

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #19]

Does ‘Love’ play favourites?

Yes it does. Favoring one person over another is not "favoritism" if the distinction is warranted. God is under no compulsion to treat everyone the same if they act differently. Biblically God deals with us as individuals which necessitates he treat each person differently but justly. .

To illustrate: If a man works hard to support his family but doesn't hand his paycheck over to his neighbour's wife he is indeed favoring his wife over and above all other women (even his mother). He is not however guilty of "favoritism" or prejudice because his actions are justified.

source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/diction ... enterprise


Biblically God favors his own children over and above the wicked with whom he does not have an intimate relationship. He had a nation that enjoyed special treatment, unique to their race and of those he loves he interacts with each of them according to their individual talents, potential and circumstances. To not provide the same thing for all is not favoritism No parent in their right mind would give their car keys to their 10 year old because they did to their 18 year old (even if they had an unlimited supplynof cars) . While the parent may love all their children this does not negated good judgement and personal preference. Even Jesus had four apostles that were given unique blessings and privileges and one that he especially "loved". In short both Jesus and God have "favorites" and biblically there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Is God guilty of FAVORITISM regarding the Israelites?
viewtopic.php?p=1027465#p1027465

Does love tolerate wickedness?
viewtopic.php?p=952839#p952839

To learn more please go to other posts related to...

PREJUDICE , FAVORITISM and ...RACIAL UNITY

[William]

Does ‘Love’ play favorites? There are different types of love and only Unconditional Love does not play favorites.

[JehovahsWitness]

Does ‘Love’ play favorites? There are different types of love and only Unconditional Love does not play favorites.

Yes it does. You are wrong. Unconditional Love is not a bible teaching.

[Miles]

Does ‘Love’ play favorites? There are different types of love and only Unconditional Love does not play favorites.

Unconditional Love is not a bible teaching.

And interestingly enough, none of the 15 bibles I checked use the word "unconditional" at all. So one is left to conclude the common Christian claim of "god's unconditional love" is not a biblical fact, but an inferred conclusion, just as one can equally infer that god is a male because of the numerous "father," "he," "him," and "his" reference attached to him. ( )


.

[JehovahsWitness]

.. claim of "god's unconditional love" is not a biblical fact, but an inferred conclusion

Based on which scriptures?

[Tcg]

To illustrate: If a man works hard to support his family but doesn't hand his paycheck over to his neighbour's wife he is indeed favoring his wife over and above all other women (even his mother). He is not however guilty of "favoritism" or prejudice because his actions are justified.

According to the mythology about God, he has unlimited resources and wouldn't have to choose who he provides for. To not provide for all equally is indeed favoritism. Of course the reality is not the God practices favoritism, but rather that those who invented this being wrote him as one who favored the group the inventers belonged to. Oddly enough, this practice continues amongst those who have highjacked this God from those who invented him.


Tcg

[Miles]

.. claim of "god's unconditional love" is not a biblical fact, but an inferred conclusion

Based on which scriptures?

I haven't the slightest idea, but Christians are quite fond of the claim.

"The Bible tells us that God is love. God's love is unconditional."
source


"God’s love for you,
is unconditional . . .
it is by design
divinely integral."
source


"Only those who love the Lord,
Can give a “Jesus Hug”;
It conveys God’s grace and mercy,
And unconditional love."
source


"God's Unconditional Love For Us
God loves you forever and always, whether you like it or not."
source


"God's Love is Unconditional - Visitor's Poem
by Millicent Morris Robert
(Parma, Italy)"
source

.

[JehovahsWitness]

.. claim of "god's unconditional love" is not a biblical fact, but an inferred conclusion

Based on which scriptures?

I haven't the slightest idea...

So you to conclude that the bible contains information that "inferred" god's unconditional love on hearsay? You have no biblical references to support your position but just presume it is valid because some people say it is ? Is that generally how you come to your conclusions?


JW

[Tcg]

Biblically God favors his own children over and above the wicked with whom he does not have an intimate relationship.

This is rich. Let's guess, who are those that are deemed wicked? Those who don't follow the teachings of the JW branch of Christianity of course. At least by those who follow and believe the teachings of the JWs.

Nothing surprising here. Those who follow a specific mythology are prone to claim those who don't follow it wicked. What is their verifiable evidence to support this conclusion? They have none.


Tcg