Quote~ Consider the 10=12th century mindset - The early tactics of the Church was to scare the hell out of people. Make them aware of the concept of the soul and the flames of Hell. Using cherubs or angels or lambs or any other ‘cutesy looking’ creature for a dirty waterspout just doesn’t have the same effect as a face contorted with agony. Bambi-spouts might even be considered sacrilegious. And back then, one had a high chance of being burned at the stake for that blunder. So you go with gargoyles.
As for demonic creatures, are you giving Satan credit for demons? Who created Heaven, Earth and Hell? Who created Satan and every single demon? Satan sure didn’t. That boy can’t create anything except trouble. Nor can Satan step in and save any demon that gets antsy from being cast into fire forever on the spot - one less guy on his side. The man upstairs is the final judge of all His creations. Should we pretend He only created cute things?
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When satan fell in creations past, a third of the angels cast their lot with satan. satan demanded he be worshiped. The war between good and evil was revived when satan enticed the first couple in the Garden.
It has been stated on this thread that the use of these demonic characters are to ward off evil spirits. Does anyone really believe that demonic forces are scared off when they see statues created and adorned after their kind?
It has also been claimed that God dwells in the “house of worship” Can anyone really believe that God dwells in a house of “worship” which is adorned with demonic symbolism?
Water spouts do serve a useful purpose. But why create an appearance of evil when a simple drainpipe would serve the same purpose?
I don’t post these comments as a means of criticism, but rather as a means to reflect on Scriptures. We must reflect on the Word of God, not traditions.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-23 King James Version (KJV)
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 6: 10-12 King James Version (KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
demons aren't fallen angels.The Book of Jude says the fallen angels are chained in darkness - set aside. Unable to act. On death row hoping for a reprieve on Judgement Day. Angels have a physical appearance and were developed enough to have egos and reasoning abilities. Demons have always been disembodied spirits that have one-track minds - stuck on stupid. So the only 'army' the devil has to 'worship him' is a bunch of disembodied demons. Since demons are disembodied entities, then gargoyles are not 'their kind'.
But even a really stupid demon knows that while The Almighty allows the fallen angels to exist, even today, in a chained condition, demons are not going to get the same courtesy. A gargoyle warns of the agony they will be subjected to. Better to delay that Almighty flea flick into the fires, becoming a shish-ka-bob on the eternal grill for as long as possible and exist to fight another day, if one was a demon, yes? Similarly, if the purpose is to scare humans, since demons are disembodied, how does one portray them to a human, expecially a populace who must rely on pictures/visual cues? Gargoyles.
Water spouts do serve a useful purpose. But why create an appearance of evil when a simple drainpipe would serve the same purpose? would you put a simple drainpipe on an ornate church fascade where every inch is expressly designed to glorify The Word? It's like saying, why go with stained glass when plain glass will do? Why have statues of saints instead of portraits? But again, you're viewing the art through a 21st century lens.
and just for a personal opinion, beauty is surely in the eye of the beholder. I like gargoyles and don't think they are of themselves evil at all. Pretty scary, tho, some of them. Each one a journey into the mind of the artist and the depth of his faith. Each one designed to challenge the viewer's faith. How can portraying truth, the agony of eternal separation from The Holy, be evil?