Christian Iconolatry and the Perils of the Icono
The book "Christian Iconolatry and the Perils of the Iconoclast" by George Bernard Shaw discusses the dangers of religious iconography and its impact on society. It explores how icons can be used to manipulate people's beliefs and actions, and how they can lead to violence and intolerance. The book also examines the history of iconoclasm and its role in shaping Christianity over time.
By George Bernard Shaw · First published 1903 · Genre: Religious Critique, Philosophical, Satire · 570 words
First lines
I must now abandon this attitude, and make a serious draft on the reader's attention by facing the question whether, if and when the medieval and Methodist will-to-believe the Salvationist and miraculous side of the gospel narratives fails us, as it plainly has failed the leaders of modern thought, there will be anything left of the mission of Jesus: whether, in short, we may not throw the gospels into the waste-paper basket, or put them away on the fiction shelf of our libraries. I venture to reply that we shall be, on the contrary, in the position of the man in Bunyan's riddle who found that "the more he threw away, the more he had. "We get rid, to begin with, of the idolatrous or iconographic worship of Christ. By this I mean literally that worship which is given to pictures and statues of him, and to finished and unalterable stories about him.
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Christian Iconolatry and the Perils of the Iconoclast is listed on Textopian as an essay by George Bernard Shaw, dated 1903 CE.
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- Work type: Essay
- Author: George Bernard Shaw
- Date: 1903 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Critique, Philosophical, Satire, Theological, Social Commentary
- Length: 570 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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Genres
- Religious Critique — The text critically examines religious beliefs and practices, particularly focusing on the worship of religious icons and the implications of perceiving religious figures as real and active.
- Philosophical — The work engages with philosophical questions about belief, reality, and the impact of religious figures on society, challenging traditional perceptions.
- Satire — The writing style employs satire to critique religious practices and the societal reactions to unconventional views of religious figures.
- Theological — The text delves into theological discussions about the nature of Jesus and the interpretation of gospel narratives.
Tags
Christianity · iconolatry · iconoclasm · religion · theology · art · symbols · faith · belief · critique · philosophy · cultural criticism