kara walling blog 5

topic of choice: Places of worship
12/1/09

Religion is something I have always been a part of growing up. I would go to church every Sunday, say my prayers with my family before bed, and say a blessing before dinner. Those were the only aspects I really knew of religion. I really enjoyed the different presentations that showed worship doesn't have to be held in the family or in the church. Different people find the holy and the divine in different places. I think this really shows how art and religion go together. Art is self-expression, therefore you express emotions, insecurities, and experiences in different ways and in different places. Just embracing nature can be a holy or religious experience. Also witnessing architecture that is so overpowering leaves you with the "awe" aspect. I guess I just like how you can reflect on basically anything and you don't need to be in a certain setting to accomplish it. In class this quote really stuck with me: "religion gives you a world, it doesn't explain the world." I think embracing in everyday activities or even a hike can give you a religious connection. Places of worship are everywhere.