Blasphemy & Art

[Mr. Spencer]

Blasphemy is a load of shit.

George Carlin, is that you?

[MeganGrass]

This is an excellent disussion.

Jesus Christ of Nazareth was the greatest artist of all time.

The problem with some, is that people get a little too hardcore when it comes to religion (Christianity, specifically). As history tells (and repeats), people have killed in the name of our Lord, God and the Christian faith, itsself.

People take scripture out of context and try to apply it to their daily lives, and in extreme cases, often and unknowingly preach hate. For example, absolutely nowhere in the Christian bible does it ever say "God hates fags" - that was made up by some cocoa puff. In fact, there is only one single sentence where it says that God "hates". What does it say that he hates, you may ask? According to a certain verse, which I won't mention (I don't want the "you're cramming religion down my throat!" backlash), it says that God hates those who gain monetary profit from the oppressed poor. For example, a super-corporation demolishing a "ghetto" to replace with a new shopping center.

...which leads to the topic of discussion - blasphemy. By telling someone that they are blaspheming, they indeed are committing the act, themselves, I think. This comes from an ignorance of overpreaching and preaching the wrong values out of context, which in most cases, makes a lot of people feel as if they have the right. Anyone here ever hear of "God Complex" syndrome?

Like Vogue hinted, people are naturally afraid of what they "don't know/understand", and sadly, most don't take the time to look under the surface for true meanings. Instead, they totally deny and ignore it, call it blasphemous, have their "God hates fags/USA" parades, etc., much like the Ku Klux Klan. Before I get backlash for this one - I am a God-fearing Christian, and in no way am I saying that all Christians are mislead by false preachings, nor am I implying that Christians should be in the KKK, SS, etc.

Religion is a mask for our sins. If some people would ever dare to remove that mask, they may be afraid of the ugliness they'd find, which is why most would rather prefer to stay behind that mask, point fingers and cast stones. It just so happens that in this day and age, public figures of the media usually tend to be the scape goat, much like JC, some 2000 years ago. Some set themselves up for it (Marilyn Manson), while others are legitimately expressing their own interpreted faith in God. And that's when the wing nuts come out to play - just because their idea of faith doesn't exactly match those of others.

Artistic interpretation ends and "blasphemy" starts when someone or a group of people suffering from God complex thinks that what they say and feel is the irrefutable truth. In a world of endless possibilities and undeniable truths, we're all sinners and blasphemers.

If it weren't for artists like Lady GaGa, organized religion would have no place in our world, thus, rendered obsolete. People like GaGa, Lennon, Manson, etc. make people think outside the box. Others gotta bitch about something, so, why not do it with a bible in one hand and a gun in the other? /sarcasm

If people took the time and Love that God gave us all to understand, there wouldn't be any of this nonsense; we'd all be living in perfect harmony, with no war, hunger, etc. Instead, well, we all know what kind of state the world is in - no need to type anymore.

Is my post blasphemous? Possibly so, but to anyone who wants to tell me this, that or another, I say this - it's my life, given to me by God, and when the time comes, we'll deal with it together. I don't need/want/believe otherwise. I'd also like to point out that these are just my beliefs and opinions, and are subject to change as I grow more mature and wise with age.

[jimmyjoejangles]

no art is good without blaspheming someones ideas. And i don't know how people demonise judas. He was just doing what jesus knew he was gonna do and jesus was cool enough with it to eat dinner with the guy, he should probably be a saint.

[News Bot]

Blasphemy is a load of shit.

[Darkmoon]

It's entirely personal. I know some people consider even writting God to be blasphemous, because the word of Man can be destroyed and it's too sacred a thing to risk destruction. I disagree with that. I do find certain things blasphemous myself - I won't bother actually listing them because, well, Trolls like trying to wind me up - but as a rule don't get worked up over it. People have a brain, and the right to come to there own decisions. If they wanna blaspheme, they can take it up with the Big Guy when they snuff it.

Still, a lot of people are very sensitive about there faith and Him Above, so it;s hardly a shock they feel sensitive about it. Especially today, when a lot of people do it just for the shock value, not to make people think or to make a point, but to sell more albums or movies (I haven't seen the Lady GaGa video, so I have no idea if that counts in this case). I think they have the right to feel the way they do, at least in some cases. Others are more...foolish. But just as people have the right to express themselves, people have the right to not approve.

Gotta love free will.

Also, peons, I am watching you all and not hesitate to infract everyone in site if needs be. Consider this your sole warning.

[Mr. Spencer]

I'm afraid that I don't know anything about Lady Gaga. I don't even listen to her music. But I'll tell you this, the issue is individuals being overprotective, as if they own the rights to the bible or something.

[Vogue_Dirge]

So I've been having this discussion with several people in my life ever since Lady Gaga released her music video for her song Judas. This isn't a discussion about Lady Gaga, but instead about the fact that she used religious imagery in her video. Even before its release, the Catholic League was up in arms about the song, stating she was bashing religion. Which is not true at all, in my opinion.

Anyway, it got me to thinking, where does art and artistic interpretation end and blasphemy start? Some people see religious themes outside of the religion and church to be automatic blasphemy, and reject it, just because it deviates from the strict biblical description.

My opinion is that everything should be up to interpretation, even biblical and religious stories and imagery. The bible has some very powerful messages and themes within it. I've seen some beautiful artistic interpretations of stories from the bible, that people just tear down because I believe they refuse to look under the surface.