intermediate drawing, proj. #3
For our third drawing assignment, we have been asked to create 6-9 11”x15” drawings that demonstrate and narrate a particular political idea/social event that has happened within the last 10 years.
I have chosen to do mine on religion— a very broad topic, and also one that is a never-ending topic. Though, I have narrowed it down to focus mainly on the idea that religion is man-made and therefore extremely flawed. How then, can I depict these flaws within organized religion (particularly christian) and somehow express that it is null? My imagery will reflect several “plays” on typical religious imagery… some of which may be particularly offensive to certain people; but the idea remains strong- of course this is what I hope to accomplish.
My images will reflect the following ideas:
1. the misunderstood character of Lucifer
2. the game of “telephone” (verbal communication of religious ideology is misheard/mistranslated over time, resulting in a misconstrued version of the original meaning)
3. “God” is female
4. symbolism noted as ambiguous; it is changed according to viewpoint and revised accordingly (ie. crosses have separate meanings away from christianity, etc)
5. the fact that other religions exist; making it impossible for one religion to truly be “correct”
6. the fact that christianity is from an egocentric, earthly, human-based viewpoint; therefore ignoring the idea of life on other planets and the development of heavenly bodies/the universe (which is only briefly mentioned in the bible)
7. neglecting to follow religious virtues & blame it on sin
8. the “loophole” of sinning [ie/ do whatever you want just to be forgiven- defeats the purpose]
errr. yeah. so if I think of more, I shall be ammending this list.
feedback is awesome, xo
Quote
These religions encourage their believers to think that they have a monopoly on the truth, that they need to restrict the actions of others based on their beliefs, and that they must convince others to think as they do."
—David Annis
excerpted from [this] article.
Last night a girl emailed me.
In a state of crisis, she hesitantly but necessarily asked for my opinion on Satan. She said she was unable to sleep, because she felt so terrible for him. Her religious background taught her that Satan was cast down as a terrible, evil soul… But she saw what others could not see; that he was a misunderstood sinner, who was cast down by a fearful god. If Christianity claims that God loves all beings and forgives all sin, why was Lucifer, the light-bearer, the one soul that was unfairly judged? I felt her pain; though this is one of the many flaws in religious doctrine- there will always be a notion that contradicts itself, just as humans contradict themselves, for this is a human imperfection and religion is manmade.
INRI
The Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth
1. Do not give opinions or advice unless you are asked.
2. Do not tell your troubles to others unless you are sure they want to hear them.
3. When in another’s lair, show him respect or else do not go there.
4. If a guest in your lair annoys you, treat him cruelly and without mercy.
5. Do not make sexual advances unless you are given the mating signal.
6. Do not take that which does not belong to you unless it is a burden to the other person and he cries out to be relieved.
7. Acknowledge the power of magic if you have employed it successfully to obtain your desires. If you deny the power of magic after having called upon it with success, you will lose all you have obtained.
8. Do not complain about anything to which you need not subject yourself.
9. Do not harm little children.
10. Do not kill non-human animals unless you are attacked or for your food.
11. When walking in open territory, bother no one. If someone bothers you, ask him to stop. If he does not stop, destroy him.
(Source: dillonhilton, via camdamage)
