Actually last night I wanted to amend my comment that “God does not care” about whether one prostrates before a bishop or not. That was not my real meaning. Here is what I meant:
There are many ways to sincerely express humility and surrender to God, and I have no doubt that He accepts and is pleased by any sincere expression.
Just as a good father in this world is pleased by any sincere attempt by his children to please and serve him, in love. A grown son with a good job might give his father an expensive watch as a gift, and the toddler may pick a handful of wildflowers (complete with roots and a bit of dirt) and both gifts will please the father’s heart, when offered with love.
Is a good father in this world pleased when two of his sons argue and fight and say the other son’s gift is no good? Or if one son tells the other son that he should not offer his gift to their father? Or if one son tells the other - “I’m his favorite son and you’re not because you don’t do things for him my way”? Even a loving and wise (albeit imperfect) father in this world is very unhappy when sons and daughters argue about such things in this world.
How much more so is the Supreme Father displeased when those who believe in Him criticize another believer for worshiping slightly differently than they do.
I’m far from a Bible scholar, but did not Jesus say “In my Father’s house there are many mansions”?
Thank you, lj. Sometimes I wish we could all let the verbal weapons drop, and just go to Our Father and say “We love You. We want so much to do the right thing. We’ll try to be good from now on, Dad!! Thy will be done.”