Praise God... Always?

“I cannot believe in a God who wants to be praised all the time.”

-- Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900), philosopher

This quote, by Nietzsche, was posted to the monastery site by a fellow minister.  You can interpret the meaning several ways, and I saw a positive interpretation in it.  I asked what the minister's opinion of the quote was:

"Here's my spin, relationship with God is within, relation with society is open to changes in different cultures. When culture put more emphasis on the idolatry of character and metaphors, compared to the understandings of the teaching, it separates itself from God and it becomes more about Ego, politics and power..... That's what happens when you humanize God, to please ego. God is the universe, nothing less, nothing more, but enough for me."

I found his response interestingly not mine.  The reason for that is very simple - it's his opinion, and everybody has one.  Again we must realize that no opinion is necessarily more right than another, it is simply different.  Whereas we may not agree, or understand, a particular take on a given topic, which does not detract from finding an opinion very interesting and of value.

I think we need to ask ourselves, why our God would want to be praised all the time.  This is a question that strikes to the very bone of Abrahamic faith.  Psychologically, why do we want praise?  We are usually after a stroking of our ego through acceptance, reassurance, confirmation, etc., basically everything God should be above feeling the need for.  As an omnipotent, all seeing, all knowing deity, God is already aware of our feelings.  But, let's take this from the view of the truly faithful.

I think praising God, for those truly faithful among us, is a constant pleasure of life.  Praise is not offered up as acceptance, reassurance, or confirmation.  Praise from the faithful is a constant thankfulness for the beauty and joy that surrounds us in daily life.  A constant gratitude for the gifts bestowed upon us.  We may not feel it is required, but it is definitely warranted.  We were literally given the world; the least we can do is be grateful.

I, also, cannot believe in a God who wants to be praised all the time.  How egotistical does that make God?  A good father doesn't need to be bothered by these petty egotistical emotions.  A good, loving father simply wants what's best for the children.  But, like any good, giving father, I think showing gratitude for being a good father is constantly warranted from those children, and, in this gratitude, we evidence our happiness and our love.

Isn't this what any father would hope for the children?

I'm sure philosophers discuss Nietzsche at length.  I know we had many discussions in high school and college.  Growing up in the 60s was a like being in a constant state of philosophical discussion and debate.  I think Nietzsche recognized the obvious issues of an omnipotent entity with an ego and asked himself the, equally, obvious question, "Why?"



Editor's Note:  

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion.  It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other.  An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so.

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion and debate in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth.  After over twenty years as a military intelligence analyst, planner, and briefer, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human.  God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.
  

Pastor Frank Anthony Villari

Pastor Tony is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path."