Due to constant misunderstanding with my name I feel the need to change my intro. I am hateful, hateful of religion. I hate what religion does to people and that people use it as an excuse to not think. I have spent many years of my life as an Atheist and have learned to handle my emotions, but no other word quite describes how I feel towards religion short of hate. I am outspoken, open minded, and will share my opinion. If you're looking for someone who will always agree with you, that won't be me.
The Out Campaign: Scarlet Letter of Atheism
(Ricky Gervais is my icon photo, I seem to be asked a lot.) Follow HatefulAtheist on Twitter

12th November 2010

Question with 3 notes

imsofullofshit-deactivated20101 asked: I am an agnostic, but my family is Muslim and Catholic, (hahaha, I know), and I agree with you about 98% of what you put up here, but how can you not agree that religion has contributed to many forms of art (including one of the greatest story books ever the bible)?

I can agree that religion has contributed to art and science and many aspects of humanity in the past, but still it doesn’t redeem it in my view. Throughout much of the past the church was the dominating influence in society. If the church didn’t commission it or sanction it most of society wouldn’t accept it or even see it. There has been some debate to if Michelangelo would of painted such a masterpiece if he had been commissioned to paint a dedication to science instead in the Sistine chapel. I personally think it is very possible he could of painted something as great, but it may not of had the same appeal that it does.

Religion as it relates to art has a natural partnership. People often imagine what these ethereal beings would look like. What it would be like to view the Garden of Eden or to see spirits of the past, all things we can never actually view. Art is great for things like that, helping us to envision things that aren’t real or have never been real.

Art and literature have always been helpful in any type of propaganda campaign. Providing the faithful with great stories to turn to for their “inspiration”. Providing images of things more magnificent and magical then anything we can actually see or feel. It all helps inspire a feeling of awe that can make people feel very humble. It was always important for the church to control what was being distributed to the masses. Which is why in addition to inspiring some of the greatest works of all times, they also worked hard to repress other greats works and advancements that weren’t as flattering.

As far as religion and art go together yes I can see that religion has done a lot for it. Religion was our early attempt to understand the world and the bigger things that seemed impossible. I think it is definitely possible though that religion has done just as much to harm and hold back the arts and literature as it did to help and inspire it. With all that in the past, it is time to progress and move on. It’s fine to recognize it for the inspiration it provided in the past, but it does nothing to redeem it for humanity today. Thank you for the question!

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  1. hatefulatheist posted this