Pagan Art and Iconoclasm?

[dominikus28]

Was iconoclasm (the destruction of art) of Pagan art ever a policy or supported by the Church?

I have heard some saint supported iconoclasm, and I have also noticed that during the Catholic middle ages, artists painted pagan art, like ancient Greek mythology, etc. Was this type of art ever forbidden or frowned upon by the church?

It seems to me that it would be ok as long as it isn’t seen as a faith. For example, images of Buddha are fashionable these days, and so I guess it would be ok to have a Buddha as long as you don’t believe in his religion (which would compromise your Catholic faith). I look at it the same way as for example, having a painting of King Arthur - you can look at it as a symbol of courage, not a real event because it is a myth. So could you look at Buddha as a myth and not fact? Am I correct in this?
Thanks

 

[Ashurie]

If the church didn’t like it back then, then why is it still around? why did works survive? LOL, there is really no telling. But does it really matter? The art is beautiful isn’t?

I guess you can take a statue of the Buddha as a symbol of what he stands for, peace and calmness, if say you get one of Buddha while he is mediating.

I have a very small tattoo of the ancient Egyptian symbol of life, to me it is a symbol that I have power over myself in life, and to live myself to the fullest. I also have a picture of a Hindu goddess, she is their divine mother, she is there as a symbol for me, that I am strong, like she was in her story when she defeated a demon when no other god couldn’t.

Symbolism differs from person to person and to what they believe and what their faith is.

 

[Ashurie]

Yes, but there are art pieces of the Ancient Greek stories that where painted by some of the most famous artists during the Renaissance, 300 or more years later, during the Reformation . Like the famous, “Birth of Venus”.

 

[GaryTaylor]

Both Jewish and Christian figures in their paintings have a debt to pagan styles as well; in terms of content and perhaps solemnity, one may see the unique presentation in the synagogue and in the church.

This has more to do with Art form than veneration. No different than if we fastfoward through the ages to today and what is “fashionable” in prefered art. While we may see similiarities borrowed from on or another, this isn’t indictive of religious worship. It becomes simply period correct “art”.

No different than the Gothic Church building of that period, for example the Catherdral in Columbia. Which is one of the most if not the most beautiful Catholic Church on the planet. Yet its not indictive of a Gothic lifestyle, only built in Gothic style.

So we have to view religion as religion, and art as art.

More noticable examples through the centurys is the Art work of the Blessed Mother. From the early Byzantine Church through Islamic periods in 700-AD to the post dark Ages right up to today.

Some of the Islamic Art work of Mary is absolutly beautiful. It certainly doesn’t indicate a same belief in Islamic Nations and Orthodox/Catholic Church. Its just period correct art.

No different than in the period of Leonardo when woman were portrayed as Heathy and not anorexic in appearence. This was also a consistant with women venerated in the Arts. The modern time of civil man drifted far from this, though of most recent times it seems to have leveled out somewhat.

Nonethless I see it wrong and a false connection to assume a similarity in Art with religion. I see as conpiracy theory and sad attempt to show a specific religion in less than it intended light, be it Christian. Islamic, Judaism or Pagan.

How many Bin Laden conspiracy theories already exist this moment a couple days later? Its really astounding from Obama/Bin Laden being in contact to take the emphasis off public enemy #1, to they never had the body which way there was a burial at Sea. And on and on. Simply something isn’t it?

My point isn’t to agree or disagree with any particular post. Art borrows from Art. Thats not to say a veneration exists by Christians, Ilsam or Judaism to Pagan? Much on the contrary.

God Bless, Gary

 

[ClamDigger]

I also have a picture of a Hindu goddess, she is their divine mother, she is there as a symbol for me, that I am strong, like she was in her story when she defeated a demon when no other god couldn’t.

Durga or Kali?

 

[dominikus28]

The reason I ask is because I saw a girl in church wearing an Egyptian Ankh, and that got me wondering whether that was appropriate. Obviously she doesn’t believe in the Egyptian gods or anything, and maybe she is wearing it for the symbolism, but would that be appropriate?

 

[CHRISTINE77]

The reason I ask is because I saw a girl in church wearing an Egyptian Ankh, and that got me wondering whether that was appropriate. Obviously she doesn’t believe in the Egyptian gods or anything, and maybe she is wearing it for the symbolism, but would that be appropriate?

I think it’s just a symbol for life. Kind of like wearing a scarab. Doubt if the wearer practices a dead religion. I think they worshipped the Pharoah back then, and all the pharoahs are mummys now.