"On the left side of the painting, God is depicted from behind, extending his arm towards a bush, alluding to the plant world. On the right side, another image of God points towards the Sun with his right hand and toward the faint Moon with his left. His face expresses the force needed for the creation of the abode of living beings."
-- Wikipedia, The Creation of the Sun, Moon, and Vegetation
I'm not sure what was going through Michelangelo's mind as he painted the frescoes depicting God on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. If he wanted to make a statement, I'm not sure that depicting God baring naked ass for all to see, was appropriate for the day. I suppose it is interesting, for some, to note the great artist seems to have considered God as having no need for sustenance, for food. If God had to eat wouldn't there be a sphincter adorning our Lord's derriere?
Then again, perhaps Michelangelo correctly assumed such detail would be lost to those looking up from so far below the ceiling. Really? He didn't seem to think God's bare ass would be missed, but no one would notice the lack of a sphincter? That was the first thing I focussed on. God has no sphincter.
Perhaps the Christian Church of the day considered it in poor taste to show such detail? Showing God's bare ass was okay, though? Hmmm... and yet, it seems, no such concern for propriety seems to have prevented such small detail as little cherub "winkies" making it onto the ceiling, as did Adam's own little embarrassment. I mean, really? If Adam was created in God's image, does God also have a small "winkie" or was Michelangelo simply painting from the reality he saw in hand daily? Oh, and the bottoms of God's feet seem to be browner than the rest of him. Dirty? God's feet get dirty? Did the artist forget to stock enough pink paint? And, why is God depicted as an old white guy? Why is he old? Does God age? Will God really die someday? From old age? Such questions occupy the minds of almost no one, except those who look closer and, of course, the perpetually offended atheists. I look closer because I have a different view of God. Atheists are just offended, perpetually.
We forget that God describes Himself simply as "I Am" and nothing else. We know that man was created in God's own image, or do we? Was man created in the image God had in his mind, His physical image, His composition of energy or DNA, or something else entirely? We don't know. To describe God is not to describe the true God and, yet, we try to describe God constantly.
Perhaps we put too much stock in what we think we know about God and Satan, about creation and death. People tend not to look close enough at what they see, nor be critical enough about what they hear. Was scripture written for the understanding of the uneducated people of the day, or for those better-educated people of the future? And, if you think about it, why is salvation so hard achieve if God handed down such clear commandments? There are only ten of them to consider; it's not like it's rocket science. It's not like the commandments require a lot of explanation. Do or do not. Pretty simple to understand, even for the modern human. Yet, we insist on making it so much more difficult than it has to be. Why? And this question of "why" is the question that should occupy our thoughts before all others. "Why" will show us the way to the what, when, and how of things.
But, is the question really important? If you look closely, "why" will tell us much, but "why" simply is, and it will be until it isn't and, yet it always is. History bears out that "all roads lead to Rome" unless you force a detour. Why? Any evil begets more evil as any good begets more good. Any free-thought begets more free-thought and any socialism begets more socialism. Yet, we've seen that too much of something can force a detour if it isn't tempered by good sense and moderation beforehand.
But, you have to look closely.
Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint.
Perhaps the Christian Church of the day considered it in poor taste to show such detail? Showing God's bare ass was okay, though? Hmmm... and yet, it seems, no such concern for propriety seems to have prevented such small detail as little cherub "winkies" making it onto the ceiling, as did Adam's own little embarrassment. I mean, really? If Adam was created in God's image, does God also have a small "winkie" or was Michelangelo simply painting from the reality he saw in hand daily? Oh, and the bottoms of God's feet seem to be browner than the rest of him. Dirty? God's feet get dirty? Did the artist forget to stock enough pink paint? And, why is God depicted as an old white guy? Why is he old? Does God age? Will God really die someday? From old age? Such questions occupy the minds of almost no one, except those who look closer and, of course, the perpetually offended atheists. I look closer because I have a different view of God. Atheists are just offended, perpetually.
We forget that God describes Himself simply as "I Am" and nothing else. We know that man was created in God's own image, or do we? Was man created in the image God had in his mind, His physical image, His composition of energy or DNA, or something else entirely? We don't know. To describe God is not to describe the true God and, yet, we try to describe God constantly.
Perhaps we put too much stock in what we think we know about God and Satan, about creation and death. People tend not to look close enough at what they see, nor be critical enough about what they hear. Was scripture written for the understanding of the uneducated people of the day, or for those better-educated people of the future? And, if you think about it, why is salvation so hard achieve if God handed down such clear commandments? There are only ten of them to consider; it's not like it's rocket science. It's not like the commandments require a lot of explanation. Do or do not. Pretty simple to understand, even for the modern human. Yet, we insist on making it so much more difficult than it has to be. Why? And this question of "why" is the question that should occupy our thoughts before all others. "Why" will show us the way to the what, when, and how of things.
But, is the question really important? If you look closely, "why" will tell us much, but "why" simply is, and it will be until it isn't and, yet it always is. History bears out that "all roads lead to Rome" unless you force a detour. Why? Any evil begets more evil as any good begets more good. Any free-thought begets more free-thought and any socialism begets more socialism. Yet, we've seen that too much of something can force a detour if it isn't tempered by good sense and moderation beforehand.
But, you have to look closely.
Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint.
It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.
We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.
Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.
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