“Identification” with God

Jesus, Prototype of identification with God

Who is God?

This is the fundamental question; everything departs from there. Perhaps this question does not have an adequate answer: it does not, for us.

Our religious attitude depends on the concept we have about God. Religion departs from there.

Culture, and the concept of God

The concept of God is intimately tied to a culture. Different cultures have seen God differently, and even within the same culture there are several tints and interpretations. The concept of God is often a kind of mixture of different cultural interpretations, although these "mixtures" are sometimes difficult to reconcile.

Each culture believes that its concept of God is the only true and acceptable one, a postulate hard to be proven.

The concept of God is transmitted most of the time by tradition, within the family, and it comes often mixed with personal interpretations.

God in Hebrew and Christian cultures

Hebrew culture basically looks at Yahveh as been "there," and offers gifts and sacrifices to him. This model of God is similar to that of pagan cultures which look (or looked) at their gods there, and offer gifts and sacrifices to them.

Christian culture, which proceeds from the Hebrew one, comes close to this pattern, and looks at God there, "in heaven." God accepts gifts and is moved by works. In some Christian denominations the Eucharist is seen as a sacrifice offered to God.

Concept of God in Eastern religions

Eastern religions on the other hand don't look at God out there, but rather as a Being who is present on everything and who may be experienced by individuals.

The focus and vision of God in Eastern religions is fundamentally different from the vision of God on Western religions.

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