For the most part discussion has been good. Most of the dissenting and various
opinions have been civil and that is good. I also consider this to be "on topic"
because we're discussing what we do with our cameras and why, what defines "art" and
its appropriateness in various situations, and what is suitable and civil on PDML.
The issue of offense and motivation was an important. A couple of individuals seemd
to think it humorous to offend with intent and with an antogistic tone. But most were
more civil, voicing a variety of divergent opinions, and without hostility.
Art, as can words, be used to discuss issues. That discussion can be used to
communicate history with a point, as one would see in the drawings from the Spanish
Revolution. Sometimes its philosophical, with the supreme expressions of humanity
from the religious humanists (the statue "David") or secular humanists (Rodan's "The
Thinker"). The work of Maplethorpe is fascinating. He goes from some of the most
beautiful stills I've ever seen to some very homoerotic material that isn't suitable
for public display, well-suited to the term "obscene".
In the theological circles where I "hang out", it's a standard teaching and practice
that when reaching out to other world views that one should not demean the contrary
views. We're free to debate and discuss and seek to persuade but the principle is in
place that we are never to deman by belittling or humiliating people or the position
being held. We never make light of another person's sincerely-held beliefs.
When using art to communicate a thought, hardly anyone here would accept as suitable a
photograph (in the same manner as we would assess word) composed in such a manner as
to deman or ridicule blacks, homosexuals, moslems, jews, or anyone else for that
matter. Nor would we accept as suitable any material which would do so less directly
by making light of cultural or faith characteristics of any group.
Unless it's Christianity.
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