Malcolm Rivera
The term false god is used in Abrahamic religions to refer to deities or objects of worship other than the Abrahamic god. While the identification of false gods in ancient times was straightforward, with gods like Baal, Molech, and Ashtoreth being mentioned in scriptures, the concept of false gods in modern times is more complex. Some people may consider evolutionary science, money, power, or pleasure as modern idols that distract from spiritual values and the worship of the true God. Others may view self-centeredness as a form of idolatry, where individuals prioritize their desires over God's teachings. From a religious perspective, a false god could be a being that claims divine status but opposes Natural Law, such as chaotic entities from various mythologies. Ultimately, the concept of false gods in our time is subjective and depends on one's religious beliefs and interpretations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Idolatry | Ba'al, Molech, Ashtoreth, Chemosh, Artemis, etc. |
| Self-interest | Self-centredness, self-focus, selfish acts of generosity |
| Humanism | Human rationality, ethics, and justice |
| Historicism | Belief that history has a direction and unfolds according to patterns |
| Science | Overdependence on science |
| Nationalism | Chauvinism, isolationism, racial prejudice, imperialism |
| Pleasure | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
Money, power and pleasure as idols
Money, power, and pleasure have become idols in modern times, taking the place of God and shaping people's lives and values.
Money as a False God
Money has become a dominant force in people's lives, influencing their decisions, expectations, and sense of security. The retired Bishop of Worcester, Peter Selby, argues that money has become an end in itself, with people living in greed and fear. He compares money to the idols of ancient biblical times, arguing that it has acquired characteristics associated with religions that worshipped idols. The volatility and dominance of money in the modern world, driven by technological advancements and fractional reserve banking, further contribute to its status as a false god.
Power as a False God
The pursuit of power can lead to idolatry, as individuals or nations may exchange their true God for false gods in their quest for dominance. This is reflected in the biblical passage Jeremiah 2:11-12, where God expresses dismay at the nation's abandonment of Him in favor of useless idols. Power as a false god can manifest in various forms, including political, social, or economic power, where individuals or groups seek control, influence, or authority at the expense of their moral values and faith.
Pleasure as a False God
The pursuit of pleasure can also lead to idolatry when it becomes the primary focus of one's life, taking precedence over God. This form of idolatry is reflected in the concept of "a form of godliness joined to an unholy heart," where external morality conceals internal impurity. Pleasure-seeking can become a false god when individuals prioritize their desires and gratification above their spiritual growth, true happiness, and connection with God.
In conclusion, money, power, and pleasure can become modern-day idols that distract individuals from their faith and true source of fulfillment. Recognizing these false gods and repenting from idolatrous attitudes are essential steps in refocusing on God and living a life aligned with biblical values.
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Self-worship
The concept of "false gods" is a derogatory term used in Abrahamic religions, including Christianity, to refer to deities or objects of worship other than the God of these religions. While the term is generally used to refer to cult images or deities of non-Abrahamic religions, it can also apply to any entity or object given particular importance or worship.
In the Christian context, self-worship is seen as a rejection of God's desire for humans to die to self and live according to His will. It reflects a shift in devotion away from the eternal God and towards the individual, elevating personal desires and interests to a level of worship. This can be deceptive, as individuals may not realize they are engaging in self-worship, especially when their actions appear beneficial or positive on the surface.
Ultimately, self-worship is about prioritising oneself above all else, including God. It reflects a belief that one's own understanding and desires are more important than acknowledging God and following His directives. This can lead to a cycle of chaos and suffering, as individuals are inherently flawed and incapable of achieving true fulfilment or salvation on their own.
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Evolution as a naturalistic worldview
The concept of false gods has been explored in various texts, including the Bible, where idolatry and the worship of false idols are condemned. In modern times, the idea of false gods can be interpreted in different ways, and some may argue that any belief system or worldview that replaces or diminishes the role of a traditional God can be seen as a false god.
One such worldview is evolutionary naturalism, which asserts that nature is all there is and that the natural, material, and physical universe is the only reality. This worldview holds that all events, objects, and phenomena in the world must have purely natural explanations. While evolutionary naturalism has ancient origins, with ideas dating back to Greek and Hindu philosophers, it has gained prominence in modern times due to scientific research and the work of figures like Charles Darwin.
Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection popularized the idea that complex life forms evolved from more primitive ones through natural processes. This view is often contrasted with creationist worldviews, which are seen as products of less informed ancestors. However, it's important to note that Darwin was not the originator of evolutionary thought, but rather built upon ideas proposed by figures like de Maillet, Maupertuis, Diderot, and Georges Buffon.
Evolutionary naturalism, as a worldview, holds several key beliefs. Firstly, it asserts monism, the view that all reality is composed of natural entities, rejecting the existence of the supernatural or a personal God. This leads to atheism or agnosticism, as naturalists typically believe that no God or gods exist. Scientism, another aspect of this worldview, asserts that science is the most reliable method for obtaining genuine knowledge, often claiming that science is the only path to knowledge and truth.
The impact of evolutionary naturalism can be seen in the shift from traditional religious beliefs to secular worldviews in Western culture. Some, like Carl Sagan, have become evangelists for naturalism, promoting a worldview based on naturalistic assumptions. Sagan's work, including his novel "Contact," reflects his belief that the universe is infinite and eternal, taking the place of God in his interpretation.
In conclusion, evolutionary naturalism offers a comprehensive worldview that shapes how individuals understand their place in the universe and the mechanisms behind life's complexity. While it provides a naturalistic explanation for the origin and development of life, it also challenges traditional religious beliefs and introduces a different set of assumptions and values.
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Polytheistic religions
Polytheism is the belief in or worship of multiple gods and goddesses. Polytheistic belief systems usually assemble their gods and goddesses into a pantheon, along with their own religious sects and rituals. The recognition of multiple gods and goddesses does not necessarily mean that all deities are worshipped, as believers may choose to worship a specific group of deities, depending on factors such as occupation, tastes, personal experience, and family tradition.
Polytheism is often associated with the belief in many demonic and ghostly forces, as well as other supernatural beings, some of which may be malevolent. The gods and goddesses of polytheistic religions are often viewed as forces of nature or ancestral principles, and they may be regarded as either autonomous or as aspects or emanations of a creator deity or transcendental absolute principle.
Polytheism is considered a stage in the evolution of religious belief, preceding monotheism, and has been a typical form of religion throughout history, with notable polytheistic religions including Taoism, Shenism or Chinese folk religion, Shinto, Santería, most Traditional African religions, Wicca, Hellenism, and various forms of Hinduism.
In the context of polytheistic religions, the concept of a "false god" can be understood from two perspectives. Firstly, within a specific polytheistic belief system, a "false god" could refer to a deity that is not recognized as legitimate or authentic within that system. For example, in ancient polytheistic societies, certain gods were worshipped in specific regions, and a god worshipped by one group may have been considered a "false god" by another group.
Secondly, from an inter-religious perspective, followers of one polytheistic religion may regard the gods of another polytheistic religion as "false gods" if they do not believe that those deities possess the properties or powers ascribed to them by the other religious group. Additionally, as monotheistic religions such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam emerged and spread, the gods of polytheistic religions were often labelled as "false gods" by followers of these monotheistic faiths, who asserted the exclusivity and supremacy of their own god.
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Cult images or deities
In the practice of religion, a cult image is a human-made object that is venerated or worshipped for the deity, spirit, or daemon that it embodies or represents. Cult images were a common presence in ancient Egypt and are still found in modern-day Kemetism. They are often confined to small images, typically made of gold, that lived in the naos in the inner sanctuary of Egyptian temples dedicated to a specific god. None of these images survive today. Only priests were allowed access to the inner sanctuary. There was also a range of smaller images, many kept in the homes of ordinary people.
Ancient Greek and Roman temples also contained cult images, usually in the cella. Cult images normally took the form of a roughly life-size statue of the deity, in marble or bronze, or in the form of a prestigious Chryselephantine statue using ivory plaques for the visible parts of the body and gold for the clothes, around a wooden framework. The most famous Greek cult images were of this type, including the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, and Phidias's Athena Parthenos in the Parthenon in Athens, both colossal statues now lost.
In the pre-Islamic era, the pagan or pre-Islamic merchants of Mecca controlled the sacred Kaaba, thereby regulating control over the city itself. Local tribes of the Arabian Peninsula came to this centre of commerce to place their idols in the Kaaba and were charged tithes, helping Meccan merchants to incur substantial wealth.
In the Abrahamic religions, cult images are often identified as idols, and their veneration as idolatry, or the worship of hollow forms. The Book of Isaiah gives expression to this idea: "Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made". Early Christians avoided this paradox with the idea of miraculous icons that were not made by human hands.
Today, some people argue that false gods demand that we keep prayer and Bible study in the home and in the church. However, others argue that this attitude accepts the false gods of our times, which are not gods.
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Frequently asked questions
The term "false god" is used in Abrahamic religions to refer to cult images, deities of non-Abrahamic religions, or any object that is worshipped instead of the Abrahamic God. In this context, a false god is something that is highly revered, followed devoutly, and looked to for meaning in life and deliverance from problems.
False gods in modern times may not have the same names as those in the past (such as Baal, Molech, or Ashtoreth), but they still exist. Some examples of modern-day false gods include money, drugs, alcohol, or any other entity that one worships, idolizes, and willingly succumbs to that is not good.
The terms "false god" and "idol" are often used interchangeably, especially in the Bible. However, some people make a distinction between the two, with an idol being an image or representation of a false god rather than a false god itself.
