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Priest: Playboy cover resembling Mary 'desperate,' 'blasphemous'

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Yet, the same person who said people are too easily offended, threw a tantrum when the image was posted.

And note, I also made a comment that that image was unduly offensive. And then he went and posted it anyway. The wanker.
 
I wasn't trying to offend you, I was wondering if that was the one you were talking about, and thought it would be easier to post it instead of trying to explain it.

Anyways, the fact that you're offended by that is the entire point of the work. Serrano always juxtaposes the beautiful with the repulsive/taboo. His point is that there is beauty even in the most ugly things, and that if you look beyond your boundaries you can see that. You're so bound up in your own limitations that you are unable to appreciate that photo for what it is.

I actually think that picture is beautiful.

I cannot appreciate that photo in any way. It is just offensive. But I also understand that this was his intent. But I find nothing artistic about it.
 
Yeah but you are an athiest:lol:.

Yeah and I know you know there is a difference between agnostic and atheist hehe. :)

I believe mankind does not have the capability of understanding the universe, yet there is something out there that has yet been explained.

I do believe believe that some higher power or powers created the universe, I just don't believe the majority of mankind understands it via their man made religions.
 
I cannot appreciate that photo in any way. It is just offensive. But I also understand that this was his intent. But I find nothing artistic about it.

His intent is not to offend. His intent is to challenge your boundaries. It is your choice on whether you choose to open up your mind or become offended. That is why Serrano's art is so powerful.
 
Yeah and I know you know there is a difference between agnostic and atheist hehe. :)

I believe mankind does not have the capability of understanding the universe, yet there is something out there that has yet been explained.

I do believe believe that some higher power or powers created the universe, I just don't believe the majority of mankind understands it via their man made religions.
Interesting.

I'm a Brythonic Celtic pagan although I very much support the Church of England in England and have a definite soft spot for Christianity particularly Catholic and Celtic Xtianity.

I don't mind agnosticism or even athiesm meaning the simple disbelief in God(s). It is more the other assumptions and behaviours which seem to usually accompany modern western athiest that I dislike, they have a lot in common with the worst of modern liberalism as well.
 
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His intent is not to offend. His intent is to challenge your boundaries. It is your choice on whether you choose to open up your mind or become offended. That is why Serrano's art is so powerful.

I rather like my self imposed boundaries. They keep me from wading in crucifix populated ****. So sue me?
 
I rather like my self imposed boundaries. They keep me from wading in crucifix populated ****. So sue me?

Everyone has different tastes. I'll never understand cans of spam slapped on a wall and called "modern art".
 
Moderator's Warning:
Although the tone of this thread seems to be slightly improving, I have no choice but to do my job, in regards to a few posts here.

A quick point though. If you see an offensive post, please report it, and move on, rather than egg each other on.
 
His intent is not to offend. His intent is to challenge your boundaries. It is your choice on whether you choose to open up your mind or become offended. That is why Serrano's art is so powerful.

This I agree with. If a religion cannot stand scrutiny or ridicule then it is my opinion that the religion does not deserve a place of honor or seriousness.

There will ALWAYS be people that question or ridicule a religion and the reaction that is receives determine how serious it needs to be taken.

If some religion is determined that noone can ridicule it or question it, then it is of my opinion that religion doesn't deserve to be taken seriously.

If a religion is so called true and just, then ridiculing it or questioning it should have no waver on the truth it brings.
 
This I agree with. If a religion cannot stand scrutiny or ridicule then it is my opinion that the religion does not deserve a place of honor or seriousness.

There will ALWAYS be people that question or ridicule a religion and the reaction that is receives determine how serious it needs to be taken.

If some religion is determined that noone can ridicule it or question it, then it is of my opinion that religion doesn't deserve to be taken seriously.

If a religion is so called true and just, then ridiculing it or questioning it should have no waver on the truth it brings.

And that's exactly why I said, on the very first page, that I will encourage heresy but I cannot tolerate blasphemy. It's like the difference between ridiculing the expression versus ridiculing the sacred ideal.
 
And that's exactly why I said, on the very first page, that I will encourage heresy but I cannot tolerate blasphemy. It's like the difference between ridiculing the expression versus ridiculing the sacred ideal.

Why not blasphemy as well? I see nothing wrong with challenging God, especially since he gave us the ability to do so. I hoped that by challenging God he would set me straight... I'm still waiting.
 
Why not blasphemy as well? I see nothing wrong with challenging God, especially since he gave us the ability to do so. I hoped that by challenging God he would set me straight... I'm still waiting.
Your not challenging god, your being offensive to the spiritual beliefs of other people.

It is common decency.
 
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Why not blasphemy as well? I see nothing wrong with challenging God, especially since he gave us the ability to do so. I hoped that by challenging God he would set me straight... I'm still waiting.

I think maybe that's the difference between humanism and faith. I won't do anything that challenges my own faith in God because I believe that the ideal that is God transcends such challenges.
 
I think maybe that's the difference between humanism and faith. I won't do anything that challenges my own faith in God because I believe that the ideal that is God transcends such challenges.

I would like to believe that. I think a lot of Christians have this misconceived notion that atheists simply don't want to believe in God. I would love to know that God exists. The problem is that I am such a logical individual that the lack of compelling evidence keeps me from becoming a believer. It also doesn't help that most of the Christians I have encountered are far from Christ-like.
 
I would like to believe that. I think a lot of Christians have this misconceived notion that atheists simply don't want to believe in God. I would love to know that God exists. The problem is that I am such a logical individual that the lack of compelling evidence keeps me from becoming a believer. It also doesn't help that most of the Christians I have encountered are far from Christ-like.

Well, I also don't hold to this notion that God is a man in the sky waiting eagerly with a lightning bolt to blast unbelievers. I think God is an ideal without form or person...it's just the best that human beings can be. An ideal. A thought that keeps me warm inside when my faith in people and the reality of their true natures fail to match up.
 
Meh. What's the big deal?
I though this was already done, this boundary was already crossed, the taboo broken.
In the 80's. By Madonna.
 
Meh. What's the big deal?
I though this was already done, this boundary was already crossed, the taboo broken.
In the 80's. By Madonna.

I think the Madonna thing went a bit further, actually, if you are talking about the "Like a Prayer" video. While it didn't bother me at all, I kind of see where people might get a little bothered by her tonguing St Barnabas with burning crosses in the background. LOL
 
I think the Madonna thing went a bit further, actually, if you are talking about the "Like a Prayer" video. While it didn't bother me at all, I kind of see where people might get a little bothered by her tonguing St Barnabas with burning crosses in the background. LOL

Ah; I had pretty much lost touch with her by that time.
I had the "Like a Virgin" album; she was the hero of prepubescent catholic schoolgirls everywhere.
I didn't really pay much attention to her after 1984; we diverged and went our separate ways when she shot to the top of the pop charts and I started liking more alternative, counterculture stuff.
 
Ah; I had pretty much lost touch with her by that time.
I had the "Like a Virgin" album; she was the hero of prepubescent catholic schoolgirls everywhere.
I didn't really pay much attention to her after 1984; we diverged and went our separate ways when she shot to the top of the pop charts and I started liking more alternative, counterculture stuff.

I wish I had jumped ship before seeing what a trainwreck she's become since about the Ray of Light album. :mrgreen:
 
article here

Two reactions to this:

1. She is one beautiful woman.
2. The timing of the picture (the time of the Feast of the Our Lady of Guadelupe, the Patroness of the Americas - a feast day in the US and other Western Hemisphere countries - and incidently the namesake of the church I attend in Taiwan) as well as during the Advent season is troubling, especially given the SPanish title on the magazine and the clothing/atmosphere of the picture. I would regard this as mildly offensive.

He is a priest. What did you expect? of course he is going to say it's evil. If the picture had been of a little boy's butt, though, I bet you he would have bought the magazine. :mrgreen:
 
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I wish I had jumped ship before seeing what a trainwreck she's become since about the Ray of Light album. :mrgreen:

I've heard this myth that in a time long ago this "Madonna" person was apparently relevant, even liked.

Sounds like nothing but tales to me.

The first Madonna album I remember being aware of was Music, and solely from it's atrociously lame video, the one where she's a cow girl.

After that she was only ever "that lady who has a clearly fake British accent that guys older then me have some weird fixation with"
 
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