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Permalink Reply by George on September 8, 2011 at 11:12am

You know, many of those buildings have been designed by top architects, true artists. The fact that they may have been inspired by religion takes nothing away from the creativity of the architect. It is kind of like music. I like Handel's Messiah. A beautiful composition. The fact that the source of the inspiration: the belief in a supreme being is something we lack, does not make the composition a bad one. I'd like to think that without the inspiration of religion, Handel would have found a different source to draw on to compose equally impressive work.

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Permalink Reply by Lois on September 8, 2011 at 5:51pm

I think those old, huge cathedrals are gorgeous works of art and represent an amazing turning point in the course of architectural development. I can't help but be awed when I think that people built these things without the use of modern machinery. I think it is a shame that such beauty should be wasted on ridiculous magic spells and mummery performed by sequin-garbed priests in funny hats, though. I propose they be turned into the following uses, instead:

Taverns

Bed-and-breakfast inns

Museums

New Age crystal healing shops (irony, or something)

Indoor water parks

Casinos

Mini-malls

The world's fanciest 7-Eleven

A rainforest zoo

Hippie smoke shops

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Permalink Reply by Atheist Andrea on September 12, 2011 at 7:29pm

Are you a hippie, Lois? Made me laugh with your last suggestion.

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Permalink Reply by Lois on September 13, 2011 at 7:32am

No, but there is a place actually called The Hippie Smoke Shop in my town, where they sell hippie clothing and jewelry as well as hand-made glass bongs, pipes, and hookahs. I was surprised when it first went in, as this is such a conservative town. Even more amusing is that it is located between a gardening shop and a weed control store. One of the owners said she took a picture of the three store fronts and sent it to Jay Leno. :o]

 

Also, there is a Presbyterian church that has been for sale on the next street over from mine. I keep hoping someone will turn it into a small bed-and-breakfast place, or maybe a restaurant. Unfortunately, the economy is in the toilet around here and nobody can afford to open up places like that.

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Permalink Reply by A. Gabriele Eichel on September 12, 2011 at 5:56pm

Some of them are really beautifull... I like the stained glass windows. But their meaning bothers me sometimes...

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