Art through empty eyes

Clinton Bronder

Subject: Art through empty eyes

Outside reading: Bret Plate, Religion, Art, and Culture, Section 3 Chapter 2

March 14^th, 2011

For the true message of the divine to be relayed, one’s mind must be free of the limitations and restrictions present in written word. Plate says, “for the preservation of the true essence of the divine message, for the “inlibration” of God, the Prophet’s mind has to be absolutely pure” (Plate, 106) I chose this statement because it is the first time that we hear that the written word can in fact detract form the realization of religious truth. This statement instead suggests the necessity of a clean slate to truly experience the divine. This statement suggests the necessity of self-enlightenment, the realization of the truth without interaction with other means of influence. This is related to the course idea of finding truth through processes of critical evaluation but, unlike the coursework, excluded art from the process. I don’t find this statement compelling, as people need teachings to bring them closer to the divine. These teachings are often in the form of writing and art. Without a solid understanding of the diving through previous lessons, one will have a very difficult time even contemplating the idea of the divine.