tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550315839527219940.post282376879818720184..comments2023-10-11T02:43:45.437-07:00Comments on CASAMURPHY: Churched OutLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202742050661813668noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550315839527219940.post-78771519100836991252015-12-01T07:00:19.347-08:002015-12-01T07:00:19.347-08:00On a trip that closely resembles your own, I also ...On a trip that closely resembles your own, I also had much the same impression of the wealth of the Church. In the past, the Church was one of the few institutions that could afford to sponsor artists. If say, a wealthy merchant had commissioned Michelangelo to paint a ceiling in his private residence, it is doubtful it would have survived to this day. If indeed, the Church fathers had used the money they spent on art to feed the poor, it would have quickly disappeared and hunger would have returned just as quickly. In my view, it is the preservation of these masterpieces through the ages that gives some credence to the Church's involvement in works of art.<br />For believers, a pictorial representation of the tenets of their religion was the only way to communicate with a largely illiterate audience, so it made sense in that context.<br />Every time I try to wrap my modern mind around antiquity,I am left dissatisfied, just as I am when I attempt to understand politics, another topic that defies common sense.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550315839527219940.post-22711484950182465142015-11-28T08:54:17.812-08:002015-11-28T08:54:17.812-08:00I too, was conflicted when I viewed the opulence o...I too, was conflicted when I viewed the opulence of Italy's churches and basilicas. All this gilt (gelt) in the honor of a simple Jew who would have no need of such riches, other than to parcel it out to the needy. But then I did a bit more thinking on the matter, especially the "benevolent God" bit, who also would have no necessity for such excess, Him being omnipresent and all that. So aside from power and riches, what do these ancient treasures mean in the big scheme of things? IMHO, a kind and loving God would encourage us to do what we love. The millions of architects, artisans, craftspeople, painters, sculptors, etcetera, who have created these elaborate places of worship worldwide were absolutely doing what they were good at, and probably preferred to a profession of say, stable mucking. My own Damn Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04699618498157378648noreply@blogger.com