Stare

 After a really interesting discussion with a friend at work, I began to think about the parish church of my childhood.  I disliked to abhorred mass, and took comfort wherever I could. Imagined swinging on the pendulum lights so high on the vaulted ceiling, the singing, the candles, the incense. Joined the choir, became an altar server, and a lector, just to avoid death by boredom. Mass was punishment, a chore, and I never went after I had a choice. 

The 'art' was no comfort at all.  It's not as clear in this image, but the queen of heaven always seemed to be rather critical and contemptuous, with her harsh stare. 

 

She's gone now, the church demolished this year.  There hadn't been a service there since 2017, due to dwindling parishioners. I hope the bricks got repurposed. 

It's not the worst religious art, all in all. At my grandmother's funeral, as I sat beside my father, and saw for the only time the church of his childhood, I realized it could have been much, much worse. I have not found an image of that church - in part because I have only the vaguest idea of which one it was. Sort of where, but no luck searching.  Maybe for the best. 

The church attached to my grade school had a mosaic, which seems not so bad at all. Colors are strong and clear, and it's not excessively gory.

High School parish church was much larger.  The main altar that I can find an image for is... well, looking at it now I'd say downright goofy. But I remember a lot of side art, more than the main one. And that was at least variety. 

I've come up with the theory that maybe 20-30% of people are believers, they need no proof, and even reject it, in preference to belief. They want gods, monarchs and other authoritarian systems to feel safe, whether or not they are the ruler. Another 30-40% don't much care either way, and are content to go along to get along. The remainder really want freedom, and live in a spirit of inquiry and tolerance, although they have no comprehension of mindset of the believers. 

Amazing we get anything done, really.