Why worship . . . fear or luck?
Shiva
Many Hindus in India are taught to worship their gods out of fear or for good luck. Often, students in Adult Literacy Classes hear for their first time in their lives about a loving God who cares for their needs. They are amazed to learn about God's sacrifice of His son, Jesus Christ, for their sins. They have always believed that they must make sacrifices to their gods and that they must seek forgiveness for their sins again and again.
Ganesh
The god Shiva is known as the destroyer god. Many Hindus offer sacrifices because they are fearful that Shiva and other gods will cause suffering, like floods or droughts. Often in rural villages where medical treatment is not common, people believe that someone who is ill has somehow angered Shiva. Many Hindus perform daily puja, or worship. They believe if they miss even a single day, they risk the wrath of the gods.
Ganesh is also known as the elephant god. He is the Hindu god of wealth and people worship him in hopes of being rewarded with riches and good fortune. Every year, millions of people worship an idol of Ganesh during a ten-day festival. On the eleventh day, the statue is taken to a river or the sea in a parade filled with singing and dancing. Then the idol is throw into the water, which Hindus believe will wash away their misfortunes.
What does God say?
Click on the photo to read a story about Elisha, an idol carver who came to Christ in India.
The Bible has a lot to say about idol worship and how we should be careful to put no other gods before Him. In the Old Testament, the Israelites often struggled with obedience in this area. The Lord had told them to only worship Him, but again and again they would worship the gods from other cultures.
Most of us don't live in a culture like India, where idols or carved gods are common. But we can still struggle with idolatry. Sometimes we spend too much time on activities that take our attention away from God. It might be something that starts out fun, but later starts to control our behavior or our mood. Or maybe we rely on good luck charms, like a rabbit's foot or lucky socks, instead of trusting God to provide for us.
Take time as a family or group to read and discuss Jeremiah 10 and Isaiah 44.
- What words do these chapters use to describe idols?
- What are the differences between God and idols?
- How do you think God felt when the Israelites worshipped other gods?
- Jeremiah 10:5 describes idols like a "scarecrow in a melon patch." What does that mean?
- What kind of harm are people worried about when they worship idols? What kind of good are they hoping to receive?
- Can you think of any idols in your culture?
- Is there anything in your life that might be considered an idol?
Click on the photo to read a Mission India staff member's story about Freedom from Fear.
