“Let’s just leave it that we see this bowing before idols of wood, plaster ,and whatever material made of by men, from differing perspectives.”
Sorry, but I must insist that your opinion is incorrect.
“To you and others there might be an inner need”
There is no “need.” The idea that there might be seems to me an outgrowth of the protestant “either-or” perspective, as against the Catholic “both-and” perspective.
I, and I presume all Catholics, often pray when there is no religious art in sight. Religious art merely serves to prompt thought and contemplation, and to help us get in the best possible disiposition to pray.
“much as a youngster might need a soft teddy-bear or an oldster a warm blanket type of feel.”
You just can’t help but wax insulting, can you? You might want to think about that inability.
“But for others not only are these monuments and forms unnecessary but they are an intrusion into the free-flowing communication between Christ and the individual....more a distraction.”
That’s only because those others have been taught falsehood. The fault lies with protestant doctrine, not with religious art.
“Come to think of it there is quite a bit of nudity and seductive poses in much of the art work and figures in catholic cathedrals and churches.”
You see it that way, do you? I suppose you’d like to have great art draped to conceal the last nipple, eh? That’s why the Puritans had to flee to America. Every other place in Europe had run them off for that kind of nonsense.
“Just a thought as we all know men are visually stimlated.”
I have yet to be “stimulated” by religious art.
“if these art forms give you a sense of comfort etc.”
I’m sure it’s been explained to you many times. If you refuse to get it, well, there’s nothing more I can do.
“well there really isn’t anything wrong with that I suppose.”
Nothing wrong with praying in the vicinity of religious art?
Careful, you’ll get yourself shunned.”
But therein is my point...this artistic work does not in the least bit ‘prompt thought or contemplation’ for me other than perhaps an appreciation for the time and effort placed in it, for I see it, (perspective), as only art...nothing more. So it does not serve purpose for me and those who might see it as I do...it is artistic work...nothing more.
Were I to be moved in such away it would be sitting beach side, hearing the sounds of the waves lap the shoreline, with thoughts of God reminding me How He establishes the boundaries of the oceans, that they can go no further than His hand allows..... Or walking in a rain shower feeling grateful for His provision to quench our thirst for Him... ...And even in a field of wild flowers wondering what was He thinking when He designed such color and beauty for us to enjoy.... and in all these places find within myself a sense of wonder and awe for His greatness, love and life given, which so readily reflects His creative acts to and for us. He is the designer and creator of these and they can and do draw me to Him at special places and times.
But you see an art object is another mans view, though not without a beauty of it's own perhaps, but still it is his idea or at most a copy of what already is, and in some cases a face of someone he might imagine is or was, which is fine from an artistic point of view, and depending on ones taste for, but rare to move me, and some others, within the soul toward the things of God.
As for the best disposition to pray...well the Lord and I have that worked out quite nicely as I suspect there are others who do as much, without the assistance of artist objects to induce this....
God is very good at recognizing a bended knee....think of A parent watching his child on bended knee....fills the heart and is well noted. A picture that touches the very heart of the parent...as does God when we do so.
Referencing a child and an oldster I thought I made it clear as that “type of feel”...which indeed brings comfort to a child when he might have scraped his chin and is hurting...or to an oldster when needing to feel the comfort from old age that a warm blanket often relieves. I believe there is a sense of need, for some, who find this when they bow before which ever icon they might believe affords them this. Somehow doing so brings them comfort..and some have stated this is so.
...”the free-flowing communication between Christ and the individual”.... has nothing to do with any protestant nor catholic doctrine which I adhere to...or am aware of. It is a personal preference. The less distractions around me ,when I am before God, the better the communication..it is simply a choice I make for those quiet moments...and this would include a church I attend when I worship Him there. Less is best for some...not so for others... it is a matter of ones preference.
As for the nudity etc. from the Renaissance eras so prevalent in the catholic church art...well I was just saying that as so often certain individuals minds get twisted who practice homosexuality...and I think I did read of a certain order of catholic Priests who use to wear something so as not to be stimulated. Taking some of the pictures and art objects down would just seem natural to do...why feed the urges. Though of course the men without these issues likely aren't affected for the most part. But that practice does twist minds.
.....”Nothing wrong with praying in the vicinity of religious art?”....I don't think the references are so much to the “vicinity of religious art”....if you attend a catholic church it can hardly be avoided of course. But I do think it can be an issue for those seen as kneeling before these objects of art...as if they are more than that....or showing some sort of affectionate behavior toward them, which has also been observed. This is what can be disturbing for as we know centuries ago the pagan populations did just that and even some in various countries still do so...it's as if it becomes a ritualistic act, which of course we know God does not look kindly on.
Thank you for your conversation ...will see you on the threads then.
CW