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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I'm wondering why religions seem to believe it is important to worship the creator.

I can understand respecting, loving, appreciating, studying, and/or honoring, but why worshiping?

If you consider the analogy of a God to a parent, it does not seem appropriate at all for a parent to expect their child to worship them.  It's narcissistic and unreasonable.  While it's possible a child might worship a parent for various reasons it still does not seem like good parenting to expect them to worship.

Can you explain to me why anyone in any religion thinks worshiping their supreme being is necessary?[/quote]

Good question.

In biblical times, the terms “worship” and “prayer” had broader meanings than they do today. The primary Hebrew word for worship is shachah, and the primary Greek word is proskuneo. But there are many more that capture different dimensions of worship.

I agree with Catholic PP that worship is not intended as ego pampering but help us to align our spiritual selves with the Divine mystery. There are deeper reasons why sacred music is so edifying. Different aspects of worship can be very peaceful. I believe that worship is intended to foster deeper relationships and connections to the Holy Spirit and to one another .

I also believe that there are faith communities and churches to suit many different spiritual needs. There are as many different ways to worship (or to reject the need for worship) as there are ways to be human.

[b]Hebrew words for worship[/b]

• Shachah: The primary Hebrew word for worship, and to prostate in homage or worship. This word can be found in Psalms 95:6, Psalms 99:5, 1 Chronicles 16:29, and Psalms 22:27.
 
• Yadah: A word that means praise and thanksgiving, derived from the Hebrew word for "hand" it means “the extended hand, to throw out the hand, therefore to worship with hands extended”. It is found in Genesis 49:8, 2 Chronicles 8:14, Ezra 3:10, Psalms 22:22, Psalms 69:30, 2 Chronicles 7:6, Isaiah 12:4, Jeremiah 33:11, and 2 Chronicles 20:21.
 
• Tôwdâh: A word that implies the use of hands to praise, derived from the Hebrew word for "hand".  It means “ to extended the hand in adoration, avowal, or acceptance.” It  is derived from the word “yadah”.  It is found in 2Chronicles 29:31, Jeremiah 33:11, Psalms 42:4, Psalms 50:14, 23 and used for thanking God for things not yet received, as well as things you are ready have.
 
•Tehillah: A word that means "the singing of halals", or a song of praise. It is derived from the word “halal”. This word can be found in  Psalms 22:3, Psalms 33:1, Psalms 34:1, Psalms 147:1-2, 1Chronicles 16:35, 2Chronicles 20:22, Deuteronomy 10:21, Exodus 15:11, and Isaiah 61:3
 
• Bârak means “to kneel down, to bless God as an act of adoration.” This word can be found in ob 1:21, Psalms 96:2, Psalms 103:1-2, Psalms 18:46, Psalms 95:6, Psalms 34:1, and 1 Chronicles 29:20.
 
• Zâmar: A word that means "to make music" 
Zamar means “to pluck the strings of an instrument, to sing, to praise; a musical word which is largely involved with joyful expressions of music with music instruments.
This word can be found in Psalms 66:2-4, 1 Chronicles 16:9, Isaiah 12:5, Psalms 27:6, Psalms 149:3, Psalms 30:4, Psalms 21:13, and Psalms 57:8-9
 
• Hâlal: A word that means "to boast", "to rave", "to shine", "to celebrate", or "to be clamorously foolish" Halal means “to be clear, to shine, to boast, show, to rave, celebrate, to be clamorously foolish”. The word “Hallelujah” comes from this base word, and is a primary root word for praise in the Hebrew language. This word can be found in Psalms 113:1-3, Psalms 150:1, and Psalms 149:3.
 
•  Halijkah means “a procession or march, a caravan:-company”. This word is found in Psalms 68:24.

•  Ruwa means “to shout; to split the ears with sound; to blow an alarm (associated with trumpets)”. This word can be found in the following scriptures: Psalms 47:1, Zephaniah 3:14, and Joshua 6:5.

• Chagag means “to celebrate, to observe festival, to march in sacred procession, to be giddy, to move in a circle, to dance, to reel to and fro”. The word can be found in Leviticus 23:41, and Psalms 42:4.

• Machowl means “ a round dance (Chowl; whirling particles, as sand)”. This word can be found in Psalms 149:3, Psalms 150:4, Jeremiah 31:13, Exodus 15:20, 1 Samuel 18:6, and Psalms 30:11.

[b]Greek words for worship [/b]

•	Proskuneo: The primary Greek word for worship, which means to prostrate oneself to pay homage or obeisance 
Proskuneo means “to prostate oneself in worship; to reverence, to adore; to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand”. This word can be found in Luke 4:8, Revelations 15:4, and John 4:24.

Agalliao means “(usually translated: “rejoice”) to jump for joy, to leap to exult”.
This word can be found in Luke 10:21, 1 Peter 1:6, Revelations 19:7, and Luke 1:44.
 
Thriambeuo means “to make an acclamatory procession, to conquer, to celebrate a victory, to Triumph.
This word is found in Colossians 2:15.[/quote]

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