{"id":876,"date":"2017-06-25T19:21:09","date_gmt":"2017-06-25T19:21:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/yourmorningcupofinspiration\/?p=876"},"modified":"2017-06-25T19:21:09","modified_gmt":"2017-06-25T19:21:09","slug":"right-way-worship-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/yourmorningcupofinspiration\/2017\/06\/right-way-worship-god.html","title":{"rendered":"Is There A Right Way to Worship God?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"church-bank-wood-benches-161060<\/a><\/p>\n

I am in England this week, and this morning my husband and I attended church services at a beautiful abbey in the Cotswolds which was built in the 12th century. \u00a0It was high church, with lots of incense and fancy robes. \u00a0The choir and the organist were top notch, and the entire service was conducted flawlessly.<\/p>\n

Surprisingly, all that pomp and circumstance did nothing for me. \u00a0The service was interesting to me on an intellectual level, but that was all. \u00a0By contrast, my husband loved the service. \u00a0He said the atmosphere and liturgy truly made him feel the presence of God.<\/p>\n

Where do I feel the presence of God? \u00a0At my local Methodist church every Sunday morning. \u00a0It is a simple church that was built in the 1800s. \u00a0The music is good, but certainly not professional. \u00a0We sing traditional hymns and have a basic order of service. \u00a0And I love it. \u00a0Very often on a Sunday morning, my eyes will well up with tears because I feel so grateful to be worshiping in that church.<\/p>\n

Which leads me to this question: \u00a0Is there a\u00a0right<\/em> way to worship God? \u00a0Is there a\u00a0right<\/em> church? \u00a0Is there a\u00a0right<\/em> religion? \u00a0I would argue that there isn’t. \u00a0How each of us is able to commune with the divine is a deeply personal matter.<\/p>\n

For some of us, our most comfortable way to worship may be influenced by our upbringing. \u00a0I grew up in the Methodist church, and I had very positive experiences there. \u00a0As a result, I feel very comfortable worshiping with the Methodist liturgy and hymns. \u00a0They speak to me in a way that the liturgies and hymns of other churches do not.<\/p>\n

But if someone has grown up as a Muslim or a Jew, the mosque or temple is likely the place that best puts them in touch with the divine. \u00a0That is where they have had their most positive religious experiences.<\/p>\n

That is because, notwithstanding theologians and religious scholars, religion is a spiritual and emotional practice. \u00a0The intellectual piece is ever so small.<\/p>\n

For example, the Bible is an amazing book. \u00a0I can study it in the same way that I can study great work of literature, from “Moby Dick” to “War and Peace.” \u00a0I can analyze its historical context, symbolism and imagery. \u00a0But that is an intellectual exercise. \u00a0It is not a spiritual or religious practice.<\/p>\n

A spiritual practice is one in which we attempt to connect with the divine. \u00a0And for each of us, the way that we are able to\u00a0connect is very different. \u00a0Some of us may need to call the divine “God.” \u00a0Others may need to use the term “Allah” or “Yahweh.” \u00a0Some of us may need to worship in a church. \u00a0For others, the most comfortable place to worship may be in a mosque or temple.<\/p>\n

The way in which each of us is able to connect with the divine is deeply personal. \u00a0That is why my husband and I could attend the same church service, and he could feel the presence of God, and I could feel nothing.<\/p>\n

As a result, we have to let go of this idea that there is one right way to worship God. \u00a0There isn’t, and the idea that one religion is right and all the rest are wrong has caused a great deal of pain and suffering throughout history. \u00a0In fact, this attitude continues to create strife in our world today.<\/p>\n

Our focus shouldn’t be on making everyone practice the “right” religion. \u00a0Rather, it should be on ensuring that every person has the ability to worship God in the way that is most effective for them. \u00a0Only then can we create a world in which the love of God is impacting every individual.<\/p>\n

Where does that begin? \u00a0Well, it begins with respecting other people’s choices as to how they worship. \u00a0For example, I am a traditionalist when it comes to how I worship. \u00a0I want to sing traditional hymns, listen to an organ and hear classical music. \u00a0A church service with electric guitars, drum sets and sing-a-long screens typically gets an eye roll from me.<\/p>\n

But I need to change my attitude. \u00a0If a more modern service appeals to others, I shouldn’t be judgmental. \u00a0I need to support the ways in which others best commune with the divine.<\/p>\n

Likewise, many people take issue with Muslim women who wear a head scarf or hijab. \u00a0But if a woman feels that she is wearing it in obedience to God, who are any of us to judge? \u00a0The headscarf is simply her way of publicly showing that following God comes first in her life.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, this isn’t an issue of religious tolerance. \u00a0It isn’t enough for us to\u00a0tolerate<\/em> other people’s religions. \u00a0Instead it is a matter of desiring that all people have a relationship with God. \u00a0And we should want a world in which all people can worship in the way that brings them closer to God.<\/p>\n

This week, search your heart. \u00a0Do you want to be\u00a0right? \u00a0<\/em>Do you want to tell everyone that you practice the\u00a0right religion? \u00a0<\/em>Or do you truly want all people to be able to experience the love of God. \u00a0If we are seeking to create a kinder, gentler and more peaceful world, then being right<\/em> really is not the point.<\/p>\n

(Photo Courtesy of Pexels)<\/p>\n

My new book, The Secrets to Success for the Working Mother<\/a>, is now available on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback. \u00a0If you purchase a copy, please consider writing a review. \u00a0I would be delighted to hear your feedback!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I am in England this week, and this morning my husband and I attended church services at a beautiful abbey in the Cotswolds which was built in the 12th century. \u00a0It was high church, with lots of incense and fancy robes. \u00a0The choir and the organist were top notch, and the entire service was conducted…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":593,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[58,57],"class_list":["post-876","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-religious-tolerance","tag-worship"],"yoast_head":"\nIs There A Right Way to Worship God? - Your Morning Cup of Inspiration<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, nofollow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Is There A Right Way to Worship God? 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