OVERVIEW
This pictorial essay will be unlike my essay on castles, —- (Castle thread here) —– whereby I went into details regarding the history of castles, key features of their construction, and the pictures supplied contained narrative about that particular castle. I am neither an architect nor engineer, and I would just wind up copying and pasting a lot of stuff. However, that topic is interesting, and I’ve included a couple awesome videos at the end of the article in the “Resources” section.
Rather, this essay contains my ideas about “church”, as well as thoughts about the meaning of Jesus’ crucifixion. I write from my newfound Deist perspective, which is still in its infancy stage, and quite imperfect. Pictures of churches will serve as a backdrop. The majority of churches shown will be from the Medieval Era — for they are amongst the most glorious architectural structures ever created by mankind.
Wells Cathedral, England, 1175 AD
PREEMPTION OF OBJECTIONS
Preemption #1: Right out of the gate, let me preempt a possible objection from the Religious Right (i.e., religious people who are always right). I KNOW A “CHURCH” IS NOT A BUILDING … technically speaking. The church is “the body of Christ” … wherever two or more are gathered in His name, you got church! OK, are ya happy now?
Preemption #2: I also know that real worship can take place anywhere and in any form. Gorgeous Gothic Cathedrals are not required. The 1895 poem ‘The Prayer of Cyrus Brown’ by Sam Foss, expresses this idea well: ——- “Lasts year I fell in Hidgekin’s well / Headfirst, said Cyrus Brown / With both my heels a -stickin’ up / And my head a-pointin’ down / And I made a prayer right then and there / The best prayer I ever said / The prayingest prayer I ever prayed / A-standin’ on my head.” OK, are ya happy now?
Preemption #3: You won’t like this article if you’re a religion-is-the-opiate-of-the-masses type person, such as this comment I found in my research; –— “Religious architecture and art were to medieval feudalism what advertising and commercialism are to modern capitalism: a rather effective way to build support for the status quo using aesthetics instead of argument. Like the fashion magazine of today, it’s a powerful way to make regular people buy into the system.” This person is not moved by beauty, cynically scoffs at majesty … and, basically, is an idiot. You might want to just look at the pictures.
Preemption #4: The overarching theme behind the pictures and commentary is one of Awe & Majesty. We’ve practically lost these feelings in our culture. Everything is “Awesome, dude!”, but nothing produces Awe. I have less than zero interest in examining the “psychology” behind this. Psychology will only attempt to reason it away. I don’t care about the chemical and electrical impulses that cause my amygdala to produce these emotions. Maslow can take his hierarchy of needs and stick them where the sun don’t shine. Freud can eat a chopped cucumber salad, and contemplate how that symbolizes the demise of the penis. To hell with all of them, I say! The “brain profession” can explain everything …. they just can’t appreciate anything.
Continue reading “Pictorial Essay: MEDIEVAL CHURCHES”
