Phenomenology of Prayer #1 Traditions

At the very beginning of this book, we read about the distinguishing factors that separate theistic and non-theistic traditions. Theistic tradition involves a God or multiple gods, an example of this is Christianity which serves an almighty being or God. In theistic religions, there is usually a deity that is involved with the world. Non-theistic tradition has no involvement from a God or many gods. An example of this is Buddhism, where there is no deity involved. The idea of serving something that has no feelings, such as an idol or material thing, baffles me. I personally could not serve anything that does not love me back or care for me. However, many people suffer from serving false idols without even knowing it. In a book that I have recently read entitled Gods at War by Kyle Idleman, I have began to realize that if you put more importance on material things than prayer or your love for God, then you essentially are serving a false idol. These false idols can range anywhere from a golden statue to baseball to food. It's very easy to become consumed with worldly pleasures, but if you keep your eyes looking forward and stay on the narrow path, everything will be alright. Though the narrow path is sometimes a brutal way, I always know that I have a God that will be there through the whole thing, loving and caring for me the entire time.