How people worship modern gods unknowingly (Conclusion)
WHETHER claiming to be religious or not, many people may be worshipping “modern gods” without knowing it. How so?
To worship something could mean giving that one your fullest faith and devotion, pinning all your hopes on its perceived power, and being willing to sacrifice everything you have for it – even your very life.
Know what these other “modern gods” in this continuation and conclusion from last week’s column.
Science and technology
For transforming this world into a seemingly endless marvel of modernization, progress and prosperity, science and technology loomed as the ultimate benefactors of mankind.
In a sense, the world is prostrating itself at the feet of these twin mighty gods.
Nations are pinning their hopes on science and technology for a better tomorrow, for bringing solutions to all the problems and ills of the world. These include the elimination of life-threatening illnesses, the end of wars or armed conflicts, and eventually, the full realization of world peace and security.
Yet, as the facts now show, science and technology are no pure benefactors of mankind. Along with advances in medical treatment, healthcare, agriculture, transportation and industry, look what science and technology have also dealt the world on the downside – a terrifying array of high-powered arms, chemical and biological weapons, and ultimately, nuclear bombs – the muchdreaded weapons of mass destruction (WMD)!
Imagine too the looming consequences of global warming due to industrial pollution – melting ice glaciers, catastrophic flooding and supertyphoons, ravaging forest fires, famine, extinction of animal species whose natural habitats are wantonly destroyed to give way to commercial cultivation, and depletion of natural resources by greedy developers. Could it be Climaggedon in the making?
And by denying the existence of a Creator and arrogantly claiming to hold the destiny of mankind in its hands, is not Science enshrining itself as a god, displacing the true God in people’s lives?
Fittingly, the Holy Scriptures noted, “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God... Jehovah knows that the reasonings of the wise men are futile.” (1 Corinthians 3:19, 20)
Sex
Today, as in ancient times, sex is evidently a common obsession among both men and women, young and old alike. It pervades the entertainment world. It has degenerated into a cheap thrill. Casual sex appears just an ordinary part of heterosexual and homosexual interaction, usually the culmination of even first-time encounters.
Interestingly, sex worship was common among ancient religions; there were so-called temple prostitutes, both male and female, performing religious rituals. Egyptians held sacred the crux angxata, a cross ending upward in a loop, supposedly representing the reproductive organs as a joint symbol of fertility.
While not given a similar religious undertone today, sex worship may have crept into the lives of religious practitioners in some other forms. Are not sex abuses being exposed among priests, pastors, and preachers – acts such as child molestation, and lately, even the rape of nuns?
Good luck Self-indulgences
Love of oneself may be a natural desire among humans. Yet, inordinate craving for such self-indulgences as sports, entertainment, food, drinking sprees, drugs, gambling and wild parties – do these not consume many people’s time and energy, even to the point of helpless addiction? “Gadget mania” may as well be in this league.
Not surprisingly, the Holy Scriptures speak of those whose “god is their belly.” (Philippians 3:19) Covetousness itself is considered a form of idolatry. (Colossians 3:5)
Today, an increasing number of middle- class people are lavishing themselves in expensive wardrobes, exhausting gym workouts, cosmetic facelifts and bustlifts in order to transform themselves into icons of beauty worthy of public adoration. Could it not be a form of self-worship too?
The Good Book has this to say, “I tell everyone there among you not to think of himself than it is necessary to think, but to think so as to have a sound mind.” ( Romans 12: 3) Gambling itself can be a form of idolatry. The Holy Book cites a “god of good luck,” apparently an ancient deity even some of the Israelites had been turning to for good fortune, whether by way of actual gambling or by anything else.
Are not hordes of bettors today braving long lines at lottery stations, jampacking horse racing stadiums, or betting with huge stakes on big-time boxing and other sports in the hope that luck will be on their side this time around – even after countless lost bets?
Thousands upon thousands are known to have gone addicted to gambling worldwide. Although few would admit it, compulsive gambling has become an endemic disorder, perhaps, now a cause of psychiatric concern.
Gambling’s evil fruitage? Ruined careers, ruined family relationships, broken hearts, helpless indebtedness, loss of self-respect, and even crimes!
Yes, Good Luck could be a hideous monster and a cruel god!
Turning them back from idolatry
It may look bad enough that so many people, including perhaps, well-meaning ones, have been swept into a frenzy of idolatry, worshipping modern gods without even being aware of it.
As this article has exposed, such common obsessions as money, materialism, fame, power, success, science and technology, sex, self- indulgences and good luck have loomed as the modern gods worshipped today by unwary believers.
Though utterly appalled, concerned Christians need not look down with contempt on the unfortunate converts to this modern idolatry. Instead, like Jesus, they should feel moved by pity and compassion to reach out to those lost souls and show them the way back to their senses, help restore them to sanity, as it were, and give them a renewed sense of self-worth.
As the Bible writer James stated, “Whoever turns a sinner back from the error of his way will save him from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:20)
It will be a tall order really to help people “flee from idolatry.” (Galatians 10:14) Still, concerned Christians should prove equal to the challenge – with the powerful help of Jehovah, the true God.