March 13, 2003

• Why does the question, “Do Christians Worship Images?” not have anything to do with art history?  Well let’s start out with the obvious…The word, ‘DO’ means, in the present (at least in the case of this question).  We are learning about the Romans conversion to Christianity, so just asking if Christians worship images is too broad a question.  Had the question been worded, “During the Roman conversion to Christianity, did the Christians worship images?”  Would have been a better way to word it. 

  
  

  Now, let’s get *into* the question….According to some Christians, Catholics are NOT in fact Christians, Baptists believe something different than Methodists, or Pentecostal so asking for a short summary of the broad question, “Do Christians worship images?” is virtually impossible. 

  
  

  I agree that religion had a TON to do with art, of course it does.  But asking such a broad question, and not being the type of teacher to tolerate opposing views, makes my job that much more difficult.  Maybe it should make my job difficult, that *is* the reason for higher education.  BUT, for a teacher who doesn’t give us feedback (except in very broad terms, such as, ‘you are all doing realatively ok, but some of you could use improvement’) to ask such a broad question is just ridiculous…I mean what students AREN’T doing well?  How do I know that what I think is A+ work is actually crap? I’m not getting feedback.

  
  

  So, basically does she want me to tell her that depending on the denomonation of Christianity some people worship images, but they in all actuality are worshipping the ideals behind those images?  And just where in the hell am I suppose to find something that back THAT up????  It’s basically a philosophical question that depends on your veiws, ideals, and morals…finding someone on the internet who just happened to make a site that contains your exact morals…well that can be damn near impossible to do.

  
  

  I already have my argument made up and know what I’m going to write about, I just have to figure out how to find a site that can back those thoughts up.  This isn’t a right or wrong question, but the teacher that I have, is a right or wrong type teacher.
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  Well, I wrote the ‘summary’ and submitted it.  I hope that it’s ok.  I also read the teacher’s post about our midterm papers and all she said was that so far they all look ‘relatively good’ what ever the fuck that means.  I guess my main problem wasn’t with the question so much so as it was with the teacher asking it.  Christianity is a HUGE religion and many people practice it differently, so how can I answer that question with the right answer? There is none.  Ok, I’m off from school for the next week and a half, so you won’t hear me bitch about it…aren’t you just thrilled now?

  • 12:05 am
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