Why Do You Worship Your God?

Religious people only: Why do you worship God.

This question was posed by a biblical zealot based in New York, whose profile hints at extreme dislike for certain groups. However, I will directly address the question due to my strong faith, reiterating that I am a transgender woman. His derogatory comments against transgender individuals clearly show a biased and intolerant stance. Let us dive deeper into this intriguing question and explore the essence of faith.

Challenging Religious Dogma

The individual in question views my transition negatively, attributing undeserved scorn and distrust, all without using the harsh word "hate" but still conveying a hostile tone. He accuses transgender people of demanding privilege, which is a misinformed and harmful generalization. In reality, the only demands are for equality and the right to live without oppression from those who have narrow, religious ideologies.

The Bible and Its Relevance

Many may wonder why we place such importance on Genesis, the creation story, when Jesus himself was only mentioned in the New Testament. As Christians, we should focus on the New Testament, which contains just four books about Jesus' ministry on Earth, of which only three (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) are considered Synoptic Gospels, written after Jesus' time.

These gospels contain numerous inconsistencies. For example, in Mark, there are no birth stories, while in Matthew, the angel appears to Joseph, and in Luke, it is Mary. This leads us to question the reliability of these texts. No verse is provided by those who argue their divine authorship, suggesting that the synoptic gospels are open to interpretation and criticism.

Interpreting the Message

My former religious studies teacher wisely pointed out that it's crucial to read between the lines to uncover the hidden message. After careful analysis, the central message of the Bible can be boiled down to the simple wisdom of "be nice to each other." The rest of the text provides supporting context but lacks authoritative and clear divine commandments.

Evolution of Faith

Reflecting on the contentions made by the OP, one cannot help but see they are rooted in misunderstanding and bias. Labeling transgender individuals as mentally ill is a gross misrepresentation and a clear indication of a lack of truthful and compassionate discourse.

After reevaluating my faith, I now embrace a more collective and inclusive understanding of the divine. We can accept the concept of a single almighty being without being confined by specific names or attributes. Whether we call Him Yahweh, Allah, or any other name, this supreme being represents a universal concept of divinity that encompasses all religions.

I believe in treating others with respect and kindness, which is a principle shared by most religions. This belief in mutual respect and affection is a core aspect of religious teachings. Ultimately, it's the collective society's responsibility to manage our world, with divine intervention playing a minimal role.

The Role of Free Will

The concept of God as a cosmic being who initiated the universe and granted humanity free will is a powerful and liberating one. War, disease, and hardship are, in theory, within our control to mitigate and overcome, without attributing all human suffering to divine judgment. Similarly, we should not ascribe all human achievements and benefits to divine blessings.

The divinity that started the grand adventure of life billions of years ago and had the faith to let us determine our own destinies is a humbling and profound belief. Most humans, regardless of the faith they follow, share a common idea: the imperative to treat one another with respect and consideration. This shared belief is a unifying force that transcends dogma and denominations.

In conclusion, the essence of worship lies in the recognition of a supreme being whose primary instruction to His creation is to be kind and respectful to one another. This common thread unites the majority of the world's religions and provides us with a shared moral compass.