Ponder this- Freedom of choice was the alpha weopon of mass destruction- what will be the omega? Will our own creativity be our undoing? Can our creativity "save" us? Will we choose to rise above, or fall below?
I believe there is an unbreakable link between the spirit and the arts. Part of that is unexplainable- some things just cannot be made tangible for painless digestion. So, I'm encouraging my email list and Facebook friends to respond to a series of questions I'm going to post here. Here is the first. Please leave me as detailed an answer as you feel, and know that I am very grateful to all who reply!
Study Probe #2:
NOT SPECIFIC TO ANY SINGLE FAITH- Please reference your own beliefs and theology when responding to this question.
"Theaters are the new Church of the Masses- where people sit huddled in the dark, listening to people in the light tell them what it is to be human" - 1930's Film Critic. [Editor's note- If you know who said this, I'd love to know! Found by my spouse Tina at churchofthemasses.blogspot.com]
To some, this will be furiously provacative, to others, this will ring true and deep. Regardless of what side you fall on, it is universally true that the arts, whether visual, theatrical, or musical, have endeavored to enrich human life and lead us into a deeper understanding of ourselves, our fellow men and women, and things that are far greater than all of us. Much like spiritualities and faiths have done. But who is leading who in this "race" of sorts?
The modern church, globally and especially nationally, has seen the Christian church experience try to re-imagine itself a mixture of college multi-media lecture hall and U2 cover band concert experience.
Other faiths have taken strides to remain traditional and orthodox per their history, but this perhaps is to their detriment as well, as humanity is constantly re-conditioned as to what expectations they should carry forth. Many times, values such as 'historical 'and 'traditional' don't connect deeply enough to entice new followers, or were the very causes of a person's exodus in the first place.
At the same time, whether through blogs such as this one, or huge theatre experiences such as "Wicked", a very complex and sometimes hurting world desperately seeks for what is truly worth having faith in. Faith is a very human trait, unique in its seemingly contractictory nature.
Faith helps to maintain hope in the face of hopelessness, and peace in the midst of desperation. Desperation- that's a key word in this discussion. An inescapable feeling we all suffer... Desperation- a hopeless Palestinian kid is convinced that paradise is one small sacrifice away. Desperation- a hopeful drug-addict takes one final hit the night before entering rehab, and never wakes up. Desperation- what does it look like for you?
Some people feel desperate locked into their cubicle at their 9-5 insurance job. Some find desperation waiting in the welfare line. And some people find "normal" to be a panic-inducing thought. What does "desperate" look like to you?
I think it looks, and feels, "Human", which is why faith so perfectly foils it. So if this quote is true, then it has proven itself quote prophetic, as a desperate world reaches for a better version of itself on stage or screen- it's just that sometimes those stages/screens are in a church/temple, and sometimes they're in a theatre/concert hall....
?'s for you:
1. What is the greatest benefit(s) that the arts can provide to spiritualties/faiths?
2. How have the arts bolstered your faith in Faith?
3. Bonus question... other than the object of worship, how different is, say, a theatre or concert experience vs. a church/religious experience... that's sure to get a few people going....
Dialougue is a key to improving the state of affairs in our life and world. No thougths are wrong, but keep this spirit of discussion in mind, if you would.
Blessings,
Deacon
1 comment:
Albert Einstein said, “All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree. All these aspirations are directed toward ennobling man's life, lifting it from the sphere of mere physical existence and leading the individual towards freedom.” I would argue that where they lead is towards salvation, which certainly freedom is a part of. So if they are branches of the same tree then the connection is undeniable.
From the Gnostic scriptures Jesus is quoted as saying, "If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you." Which sounds a lot like the story of the talents, where the man who was given given the least hides his away, so that it will not be lost and is rebuked by the master upon his return. Therefore I think those who have artist gifts should use them to glorify God.
Someone once said something like, "There are two creative processes with art, one when it is conceived, and one when it is experienced." Who is to say which is the most important. So that being said, one can use one's gifts in creating as well as experiencing art. Both are acceptable in the eyes of God, and in fact bringing forth what is in you will lead to salvation, which I suggest is what Einstein is really saying too. So it seems art and religion are inseparable on any number of levels.
As far as the whole movie/church thing. I go to church to refresh my soul, I go to the movies to refresh my brain, by living in some alternate reality for a short period of time. Movies are an escape from reality, whereas church is the pursuit of the ultimate reality.
Time to go, my brain is not accustomed to thinking this hard, unfortunately it probably shows too. LOL
Brian Mc Namar
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