I Have Something Good to Say about Religion

[MadBomr101]

It's pretty clear that religion sucks.

Because religion has been responsible for a great many woes including but not limited to: ignorance, intolerance, gullibility, cruelty, divisiveness, manipulation, deceit, war, oh, the list goes on and on, it leaves one wondering if anything good has ever come from this stunningly bad idea.  It turns out that, in fact, something quite wonderful actually did emerge. 

Despite the poisonous effect of religion on Mankind as a whole, it has been the inspiration for much of the most awe inspiring works of art throughout history.  There's been paintings and drawings, statuary and architecture beyond compare and all inspired by religious worship and the glorification of god.  In particular, the great Renaissance, Post-Reformation and Baroque Masters like Michaelangelo, Caravaggio, Rafael, Bernini, de Cortona, and Rubens. 

I don't claim to feel the passion for "God" that inspired so much of the work of artists of this calibre but I can certainly appreciate what they created through that inspiration.  The Sistine ceiling alone is as close to a superhuman work of art as has ever been created.  Despte there being no real god being glorified by this work, the beauty of the work itself is more than enough justification for its existence.

Even if religion itself was then, is now, and always shall be...bullshit.

GOD'S ART GALLERY









Here's just the tiniest sample of some of the awesomeness created through religious inspiration.

[fester30]

And, it seems, all of this art is in violation of either the first or the second commandment, depending upon which tradition you follow for the numbering of the commandments:

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

Then again, I've often wondered about that one.  They always told me in Sunday School that meant no golden calves, but there's nothing about a golden calf there.  It's basically telling us not to create art of any subject, because it's barring images and likenesses of anything in heaven, on earth, or in the waters. 

I must say I did enjoy the Sistine Chapel when I visited the Vatican, although I did it with a bit of a smirk due to the irony.

[AnimatedDirt]

And, it seems, all of this art is in violation of either the first or the second commandment, depending upon which tradition you follow for the numbering of the commandments:

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

Then again, I've often wondered about that one.  They always told me in Sunday School that meant no golden calves, but there's nothing about a golden calf there.  It's basically telling us not to create art of any subject, because it's barring images and likenesses of anything in heaven, on earth, or in the waters. 

I must say I did enjoy the Sistine Chapel when I visited the Vatican, although I did it with a bit of a smirk due to the irony.

...as to worship.  Nothing wrong with making art...the problem comes in when that art is worshipped as "God" or a god.

Continue...

[Firebird]

Also...

"The only good thing ever to come out of religion was the music." - George Carlin

Some of the greatest classical music of all time was based on religious stories. Handel's Messiah is one of the most famous examples, but there's also Mahler's 2nd Symphony, Verdi's Requiem, and countless other examples.

[MadBomr101]

Good point, Firebird.  I'm an artist myself so I tend to focus on the visual masterworks but, yeah, a great deal of the music too, is brilliant.  Clearly, as a source of creative inspiration, God is supreme.

He's just not real.

[markmcdaniel]

I think that it is better to say that passion makes for great art and music. Religion is a source of great passion, but there are many more.

[Sandra Craft]

"The only good thing ever to come out of religion was the music." - George Carlin

I was wondering if someone else would mention that first.  My favorite: Panis Angelicus

[Sweetdeath]

The only thing I like about religion is the myth of it; particularly the Angels.

I am just a big fan of Lucifer and Michael, and all the other arch angels, seraphims, etc. Fun stuff to draw and write about. (It's also where my nick name Mika comes from )

[Genericguy]

Only recently I've come to appreciate history. Religion may not have been so great if i was living in the past, but I'd say it was the evil twin brother in the soap opera of history. If we are listing positive attributes (at least in this case relating to entertainment value) associated with religion, I would add it's history, in general, to the list.

[fester30]

And, it seems, all of this art is in violation of either the first or the second commandment, depending upon which tradition you follow for the numbering of the commandments:

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

Then again, I've often wondered about that one.  They always told me in Sunday School that meant no golden calves, but there's nothing about a golden calf there.  It's basically telling us not to create art of any subject, because it's barring images and likenesses of anything in heaven, on earth, or in the waters. 

I must say I did enjoy the Sistine Chapel when I visited the Vatican, although I did it with a bit of a smirk due to the irony.

...as to worship.  Nothing wrong with making art...the problem comes in when that art is worshipped as "God" or a god.

Continue...

Sorry.  I guess I missed the part of that commandment that gave the exception of images and likenesses for those subjects that are not to be worshipped.

[The Magic Pudding]

Ye OK some great art is of a religious nature but...

The black gospel singers who started singing about my baby instead of my god were pressured not to give into the devil's music.

Artists created great work under patronage, the rich churches or aristocracy contracted for godly stuff.

Pressure has existed to force artistic expression into religious subjects, if not we may have had more great secular works.  Caravaggio was mentioned, when I think of him I think of very human works not angels.

Art can be used to portray humans as lowly and gods sublime, I don't think that is very healthy.  It is a kind of propaganda, the commoners can't read, give 'em stained glass windows and buildings to make them feel small and subservient.

[Crow]

yuk gaudy, except for Pieta as that's one of my favorite pieces of sculpture. I find the hole catholic renaissance paintings, sculpture and architecture not to my taste in the slightest, with Michelangelo's sculpture being the only exception as its just amazing, far better than his paintings even though a lot of his work is anatomically weird its because of that combined with the almost life like characteristics that he managed to get into the marble, just look at the fabric and softness of the face above its insane. The Renascence work is technically fantastic but its just a show of wealth and I just find that rather vulgar, I much prefer the sketches and drawings (especially the observational work of Da Vinci) from that period as they contain all the technical magnificence without the ostentatious grandiose bullshit with content that doesn't stimulate the mind (well not mine anyway), you need to step away from the church commissions to find the intelligence in that period and region of work.

But the main point of the post I would agree with.

[En_Route]

I think it's as facile to attribute cruelty, ignorance, intolerance and all the other instances of man's inhumanity to man to religion , as it is to credit  it with the fruits of human creativity. If religion wasn't there, does anyone think humans would have lived in harmony and peace or that artists would not have found other themes to express their talents? Quite often in fact religion has been institutionalised and the church establishments have become thoroughly corrupted by power, usually working hand in glove with the State. The original content of religious belief is often either subverted or lost sight of in the process. The atrocities inflicted in the name of religion really reflect  the workings of human nature. Abolish religion in the morning, and new ideologies will spring up to take their place. If people are credulous enough to fall for religion, taking it away won't turn them into rational, enlightened beings imbued with love and compassion for their fellow man.

[Tank]

Creativity will find an outlet. Inspiration is variable and personal.

[Sweetdeath]

Creativity will find an outlet. Inspiration is variable and personal.

<3 This and Pudding's post.



I don't find the 'art' of religion particularly nice. I agree that you do need to think about the fact a lot of these artists were pressured and sometimes forced to do this as well. As for the 'i am nothing but a lowly human..." yeah-- that is a lame way of thinking.

Art is suppose to be beautiful and pure from the heart. Whatever the art is-- it can't be beautiful if done for greed and ignorance.




Like i said, i only like the myth. Key words. Like my love for the Greek myth stories, and of course Shinto.