by Grant Springs

Created on: October 09, 2008

Art, by nature, is the embodiment of freedom. The right of expression in any form or medium is protected by the US Bill of Rights and is considered the cornerstone of any democratic society. Governments that restrict artistic freedom are considered to be oppressive and severe punishment for rebellious expression imparts a sense of uncomfortable restraint among citizens. That being said, it is for the most part societies and culture that dictate what is considered pleasant or disdainful personal expression. For instance, many democracies have laws governing; pornography, hate symbols and derogatory and profane language.

Religion and art have a long history of entanglement. In fact, it could be argued that art is one common thread that runs through almost every known religious movement regardless of belief. If you doubt this, then consider the fact that your mind can by association of architecture and icons tell the difference between a mosque, a Buddhist temple or a Baptist church. Art defines faith in that it represents a crystallization of a common belief in symbolic form on which a collection of believers can focus and enjoy.

Can art be slanderous on religion? Art can certainly be distasteful and derogatory, but this is a matter of taste. It is hubris or folly to think that one's personal religious beliefs can trump another. Christians may cringe at the sight of a crucifix in a bottle of urine or a religious icon made of dung, but a Hindu would probably careless. Some Muslims find many parts of Western culture distasteful, while Christians find the Muslim woman's head scarf not only distasteful, but a symbol of oppression.

The wonder of art is its ability to be; pointless or provocative, relaxing or invigorating, beautiful or sublime. Art's value encompasses its message to a particular viewer or for its ability to question the status quo. The true test of art run amuck is that of the community as a whole and not of one particular religious belief. This is a very narrow interpretation and is most often used in the US legal system as a basis for conviction in pornography cases. To loosely apply this standard to the protection of a religious belief system would engulf a democracy such as ours into chaos. How would we satisfy every belief system? Burn these books and not those? Outlaw that symbol but not this one? Deny freedom of assembly to that religion but keep mine free. Therefore, in a democratic society art may be distasteful in the eyes of a particular religious person, but it is impossible for it to be slanderous.

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