Mormonism's Cultural Defecit

[_Mary]

KimberlyAnn,

I would say that the design of LDS churches is bland.

Good thing because ..heck where ever you are you can spot an LDS church a mile off...(a topic of great amusement on family travels)
Bad thing because...the British see LDS churches as the epitomy of an American religion (and culture) and thus it's more difficult to make it their own.

Good thing because...when you are sitting on the pews, you are more likely to be distracted by little Johny picking his nose on the seat in front, than by the magnificent stain glass windows or the various statues that survived the reformation, the picture of Jesus on the cross, or the obituary to some Tudor Gentleman and his family, who probably is remembered within the walls of the church because of what he had in his pocket (money), the carpentry on the choir seats (the Wantage ones are FANTASTIC and date back to the 14th C...and still survive...ikes), the crusader whose stone body lies contorted, whilst his wife lays in majestic peace etc etc.
Bad because...well it can get boring just watching Johny picking his nose.

Other than that, my LDS friends had diverse tastes in music, film, art, etc etc.

Mary

[_Blixa]

Something Awful runs a Photoshop Phriday contest every week and they often do Thomas Kincade themes. Here's one from a few years back:

[_Mercury]

I note this list of cultural "landmarks", and yet I also cannot help but notice how "safe" and "classical" all of these names are.... Where is Lolita? Last Tango in Paris? Portnoy's Complaint? These things the Good Professor [sic] mentions are all "Brethren-Approved" works.

I don't judge art by whether or not it's "brethren-approved" (neither as a plus nor as a minus) and, anyway, I'm unaware of a Mormon Index Librorum Prohibitorum.

I freely admit that my tastes incline toward the classical -- I majored in Greek, after all -- and that I prefer Milton to Updike, and Shakespeare to Didion. I've never confused Portnoy's Complaint with the Divina Commedia, nor even Last Tango in Paris [!] (talk about the triumph of the middle-brow) with Rashomon.

I don't particularly crave -- and will, in any case, never receive -- Scratch One's imprimatur for my literary adventurousness, but I'm more than willing to compare some of my recent reading (e.g., Charles Baudelaire, Nikos Kazantzakis, Tayeb Salih, Albert Camus, Friedrich Nietzsche, Andre Malraux, Karl Marx, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Jean-Paul Sartre) to his on his inane "safety" scale.

I am aware of an LDS artist who produces VERY good Kinetic sculptures. Amazing stuff.

But heres the thing. Like any GOOD artist he draws from his surroundings and emotions. Surprise! A substantial ortion of his art is for and about Mormonism. Wow, if only McDonalds could raise up a generation such as that!

[MODERATOR NOTE: Image of blatant temple sacrelige converted to a link. Click at own risk.

Mercury, to keep this forum Terrestrial, please only post blatant temple content in the Telestial Forum. Thank you.]

[_ajax18]

I think Western culture has lost a lot of expression and is somewhat bland in architecture compared to times past. Yet I don't really see this as a bad thing. If the people want expensive art, they can pay for it. It seems with the way housing developments are going, most people are deciding that architectural extravagance and the extra cost of uniqueness isn't worth the money. My tithing dollars hurt way to bad as it is. I applaud the Church for its simplicity and refusal to go overboard on money in that regard. Yes I know the temples are expensive as well. But as far as I'm concerned the smaller cheaper temples get the job done.

I agree that Mormonism wants everyone to look the same. No earrings, exotic hair, or clothing styles. You're not even really supposed to draw attention to yourself. This seems to be part of David O McKay's push for conformity and looking as normal as possible at all costs. I would add that the older Mormons themselves had to give up their own uniqueness (beards etc.) in the name of public image, not just new converts.

The Church does allow some diversity if it serves the ultimate objective of public image. Take Native American missionaries in South America wearing long hair for example. If it wins converts, the Church will do it, even it means unfortunate companions like myself unclogging the shower and using up 10L of drano on a daily basis.

[_huckelberry]

Blixa, that's a nice Kincaid you got there. When does it come out in the local store?
Though it is a bit reminiscent of the latest Law Order special victims unit episode. I am starting to think US is getting shock addicted. Or perhaps its just a lack of storytelling imagination.

Or perhaps the country is trying to anesthetize itself to forget the world situation.

Blake, is that not your comment line?

Sit naked in your garden.

[_Blixa]

Yes it is Blake.

Sit naked in your garden and read Milton with your wife. ; )

[_Lucretia MacEvil]

Something Awful runs a Photoshop Phriday contest every week and they often do Thomas Kincade themes. Here's one from a few years back:

I love it!