Heathens missing out?

[Khandro]

As historically, so much great art is predicated on a strong feeling for God, do heathens feel at a loss not to be able to fully encompass some of humankind's greatest creations?

[jackthehat]

No.

[humbersloop]

depends on what you class as //heathens// I suppose

[China Doll]

A lot of art is also brought about by people with some hardcore drug habits... fortunately I don't need to develop the same habit to be able ti appreciate it.

[paddywak]

Not really a painting of some old boy with a beard sat on a cloud surrounded by people with wings and circles of light round their heads is just a picture, a figment of somebodies rather vivid imagination.

[The Builder]

Surely Khandro, much of historic religious art was under patronage, and the impregnable authority of The Church? I don't think any "heathens", at the time, would have dared otherwise.

[percypineapple]

Cina doll, your avator looks like someone with a habit thats about to leave this world and go to ??? whatever you believe in.

[rojash]

I like to think I'm more of a philistine than a heathen

[Khandro]

Reaching for the nearest dictionary (The Pocket Oxford), it defines a heathen as; 'Not member of a widely held religion, esp. not Christian, Jewish or Muslim'.

[Duncer]

Or, to paraphrase, non-delusional.

[NOX]

I'm a Pagan / Heathen and no I don't feel the least bereft form not having to look at endless pictures of glib saints etc, since I was born a Catholic I've had enough of that to last me several lifetimes- and although not classed as great masters there are some incredibly talented Pagan artists who cater to our needs very well thanks ;-)

[anneasquith]

great art is great art, wheather we believe in God or not

[ll_billym]

Sometimes yes, mainly no and the positives of the situation vastly outweigh the negatives.

[Duncer]

Having visited most of the "great" museums of Europe I find the religious art, increbily talented though it is, trite and sterile, depicting an illusion that I cannot even begin to relate to. The great landscapers however are worth seeing. I know that it could be argued that the beauty of nature inherent in great masterpieces is a work of God in itself, but it could also be argued that it is not.

[LazyGun]

No, in a word.

You repeatedly return to this theme - that somehow non-believers/ agnostics/ atheists are less attuned to the beauty and majesty that surrounds us, that can be seen in creations of man or that naturally occur around us.

Its was a nonsense statement the first time you attempted to assert it and it remains a nonsense statement now.

[Duncer]

So you're undecided LG?

[LazyGun]

Is it that obvious Duncer? :)

[CallieH]

I don't believe in God but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate the beauty of a painting created by somebody who does. When most people paint it is with passion and comes from whatever is inside them. Some of the most beautiful paintings in the world have a religious theme, just because I don't feel the same passion for the subject, doesn't mean I can't enjoy their gift.

[Duncer]

I totally agree Callie but, equally, the converse applies.

[ludwig]

I do feel I'm missing out. It's always bugged me that I've never been able to enjoy music or appreciate a good painting or piece of sculpture.
Great literature and poetry have always been a complete mystery to me also.

I'll be rushing out tomorrow morning to join the nearest church and fill the yawning chasm where my sense of aesthetics and artistic appreciation should be.

[Duncer]

................and then a quick dash to the sarcasm shop mate?