What Does God Want From You?
During one of my ’quiet moments,’ the question came to me — what does it take to really know God? Is there anything we must do to experience the reality of the Infinite Spirit/God-Force?
I feel I know the answer, but it made me think of all the different rules and requirements that organized religion insists people do to know and/or ‘please’ God.
I’ve listed a few of the rules and regulations established by various religions here. Maybe you can think of others.
- Shave head (men)
- Wear certain dress style (women)
- Use prayer beads
- Wear prescribed head gear (men)
- Fast periodically
- Read Bible
- Believe Bible
- Wear certain hair style (women)
- Adhere to vegetarian diet
- Wear cleric robes (black, white, purple, or any other color)
- Have multiple children
- Have multiple wives
- Witness to the ‘unsaved’
- Go on missionary tours
- Wear special undergarments
- Grow beards (men)
- Pray a predetermined number of times each day
- Cease work on the ’sabbath’
The sad thing about all this is that people actually believe God wants them to do these things. They obey the long-ago established rules and customs of their faith because they feel this is what it takes to ‘go to heaven’ or ‘reach paradise.’
Neale Donald Walsch wrote a book a couple of years ago called, “What God Wants.” It’s a powerful (and to some, dangerous) book that addresses the most ’sacred’ practices that people and institutions have put into place as a means of knowing God — and refutes them.
What do you think? Is it necessary to follow established rules, customs, and practices to please God?
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