by Reynold Conger

Created on: January 03, 2010   Last Updated: January 04, 2010

Religion is a systematic attempt to please a deity.  Your choice of religion is determines which god, goddess or group of deities one wishes to work with.  The objective is to please a god so that he or she does not bring disaster, but rather brings blessings.  Over the centuries, men and women have devised a number of ways of doing this.  Usually it is through some form of worship.  One can pray, one can sing, one can perform ceremonies and one can sacrifice something to the deity.   The results will be determined by whether or not the god one worships exists as an omnipotent god, and how well the worshiper understands the wishes of that god.

Groups of men and women have devised systematic forms of worship.  Some forms of worship are based on a set ritual of prayers and ceremonies.  In some cases, the ritual is done for the worshiper, in others, the worshiper himself or herself participates in the ritual.  It is presumed that the respective god will be pleased that the ritual has been followed.  In other cases, worship consists almost entirely of prayer and meditation.  Note that these forms of worship are the products of human effort.

In the last 2000 years, groups of Christians have struggled to impart the basis of their faith to others and to their children.  In part, this has been done by demonstrating how one should approach God through worship.  Many denominations have written inspiring prayers or have devised elaborate rituals.  The intent of all of this is to create an environment in which one can worship the God of Abraham as he has been manifested through Jesus.  These forms of worship have come to be called religion.  To a believer, who has a personal relationship with Jesus, attending a Christian worship service can be uplifting and can make that relationship richer.  Thus most Christians with a relationship with God attend church regularly.  

One must recognize that Christian worship services are nothing more than prayers, songs, ceremonies and sermons.  Such worship services, in and of themselves, are little more than words.  Our omnipotent God may be pleased that people are being obedient, but certainly he is not impressed by the ceremonies we hold.  Jesus warns us in Matthew 6:7 not to use vain repetitions when we pray.  In fact, Christian doctrine tells us that God knows our prayers before we even say them.  Likewise,

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