Kevin Kroll
wrote:
|
|
Hi guys,
- Is liking architecture, cities, and buildings bad and sinful?
- Are they considered worldly things?
- Is it OK to like them, or any other worldly things for that matter,
as long as you put God first in your life?
- Is it wrong if someone is attached to something they are passionate
about as long as it is not an idol?
I love architecture and I am terrified that it is sinful to like it.
I am Catholic and would really like to know what Catholics think about
this.
Thank you so much guys!
Kevin
|
| {
Is liking architecture, cities, and buildings bad and sinful? }
|
|
Mike replied:
|
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for the question.
No. Liking architecture, cities, and buildings is not sinful at all. Some of the
greatest architectures and buildings can be found in Rome where the Pope is.
- How did these architectures and buildings get there?
By men, maybe like you, who
have a calling to develop and build various architectures and buildings around the
world. Almost everyone that goes to work on a daily basis, works in some type
of building or architecture.
The Catholic Christian is called to live in the world to sanctify it by his
words, work, and actions but not be of the world, meaning not to adapt
your lifestyle to non-Christian behaviors.
Hope this helps,
Mike
|
John replied:
|
Kevin,
Thank you for your question.
Architecture, like any other human endeavor, can either give glory
to God or glory to man.
Creativity is in our very fiber. We are, after all, made in the image
and likeness of God, who is The Creator.
As you read through the Old Testament, you will find very specific and
glorious architectural plans for building God's Temple. Throughout history
man has used art, music, and architecture to proclaim the wonder of God.
Even secular architecture is inherently good. It provides work, housing,
and beauty.
That said, architecture, like any other human endeavor or talent, can be
abused. There are the obvious abuses like buildings designed and built
for sinful purposes. There are also more subtle abuses, like over development
with disregard for the environment.
God made us stewards of the planet. In our desire to build, we must respect
and protect the eco-system designed by God.
I hope this helps,
John DiMascio
|
Eric replied:
|
Hi Kevin,
When idol is understood broadly enough, I'd say, yes.
If you're
fascinated about architectures, spend your free time poring over pictures
of buildings, are dazzled by meeting I.M. Pei, etc., there is nothing wrong
with that per se.
If for some reason, it becomes more important than Christ, then it would
be a problem.
It's an unlikely scenario, unless you really go over the
top. A problem arises if:
- you get attached to things, such as developing
a passion for Egyptian artifacts or some such thing, or
- even if you just
developed a passion for home theater, that could be taken to excess.
It
all depends, again, on your motivations:
- Are you trying to impress people
or exude wealth, or are you strictly in it for the technology?
- If it was
all taken away, how would you feel?
Only you can answer these questions whether, in a given situation, it is right
or wrong by examining whether your motivations are selfish or not.
Eric
|
|
|
