Religion
Related: About this forumNorman Rockwell and religious faith:
Given how popular Rockwell is, and given how many of his paintings dealt with religion, what was Rockwell's relationship with belief?
From the article:
You can begin to get an idea of someones faith by reading their personal letters and observing what items they surround themselves with. My grandfather would sometimes sign his notes with God bless us all. It is interesting to note that Pop placed two Madonnas in their own special niches in his studio..........
Perhaps we can all take a cue from my grandfather it is far more important to respect someone elses faith than to judge and condemn them for it. Goodwill toward one another is the compass he followed.
Blessings,
Abigail "
(Abigail Rockwell, his granddaughter)
To read more:
http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2015/10/08/art-entertainment/real-rockwell/norman-rockwell-and-faith.html
trotsky
(49,533 posts)------------------
Q: Were you were raised in any religious faith?
A: No. My father's parents had been very, very strict Christians and made him do a lot of things, and he sort of reacted against that as far as going to church and that sort of thing. So we didn't very often go to church.
Q: So he didn't really practice any religion?
A: No, no. I think you can see that he still had feelings from his pictures, but he had been put off from going to church by draconian parents. You know, no family is really a "Norman Rockwell family."
------------------
(Thomas Rockwell, his son)
Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/inspiration/2006/10/my-father-norman-rockwell.aspx
edhopper
(33,575 posts)Rockwell was an atheist?
Hadn't heard that.
We do know he was very pro-Civil Rights.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)Cartoonist
(7,316 posts)I can respect that.
Bretton Garcia
(970 posts)Which I think was very good, and often very funny:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1218250811
It seems that Rockwell was against much but not all of Christianity. His son stressed his disillusionment; his daughter felt he had some lingering faith.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)and had issues with the behavior of some Christians.
Bretton Garcia
(970 posts)Skipping some key parts of even the core elements of any presumed original figure.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)One reading only.
Bretton Garcia
(970 posts).. as to allow this reading, among others.
The churchgoers are rather obviously very straightlaced. With their noses literally in the air? All dressed alike. Looking rather like they are in their "Easter best." Looking a little proud and vain about their faith.
In contrast, the father seems rather gleefully unrepentant. Reading his secular newspapers.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)As to pride and vanity, that is only your particular personal projection.
Bretton Garcia
(970 posts)It's not entirely subjective.
The painting we've discussed is Rockwell, "Easter" Morning, 1959. Their heads - and noses - are literally noticeably higher than usual. They are studiously not looking at the man of the family, who is staying home.
Here's a vaguely related article on this Post cover; and hypocrisy in those who report high church attendance. Most report about 40%. My own research estimates 4%.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)But, no matter the medium, every work of art becomes personalized by every viewer who experiences the art. I loved the piece "Piss Christ", by Andres Serrano, but many people hated the piece. If Serrano's point was to humanize Christ that point was lost on those who saw the art as obscene.
Bretton Garcia
(970 posts)They seemed mildly useful. But a little too sly. Since if Jesus was merely human, then likely he made mistakes. And committed sins. Maybe terrible ones.
So why should we keep studying Jesus so faithfully?
Unless say, we are interested in human beings - and say, the sins they probably committed in the name of religion.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)and one also believes that Jesus was also human, is it not possible to see Jesus as the example?
And considering that we are all imperfect, we can find bad examples and bad behavior in every type of human.
Bretton Garcia
(970 posts)2) If he was not perfect, then he would not always be the best example for us.
trotsky
(49,533 posts)might not be a great example?
Cartoonist
(7,316 posts)Link please. I'm interested.
Bretton Garcia
(970 posts)Cartoonist
(7,316 posts)I am reminded of a comedy bit, maybe National Lampoon radio.
In it a guy goes to confession. He tells the priest, I have not been to confession for two months. I missed church eight times.