Kristine Penningroth-- Architecture and Van der Leeuw

We have been talking a lot in class about Van der Leeuw's ideas and how he interprets the different aspects and one of the aspects that I looked at was architecture. I think that architecture plays a very big role in worship and how people in general look at worship and a house of worship. After doing a little bit of reading, I think that no matter where you are, you are in a house of worship. You don't need to be in a church to be able to pray to God, all you need is four walls, a roof, and people who believe in something and what to give thanks. Yes a church or a mosque has a specific meaning and you know that you go there to pray but, it isn't always necessary. Any home can be a place of worship as long as there are believers. Many people believe that using a form of architecture, like a church, is profane and should only be used for worship, but really that isn't the case. I believe that walking through and looking at a church as a visitor is not profane. It is taking something new and interesting and then eaving with a new image. No person will go running through a church and yell at the top of their lungs, instead they will walk through, look and take away a new appreciation for it. We all know the impact that a church can have on people and it is important that that image be upheld and remain sacred. What is profane is the fact that people want to go through a church and take pictures and do not respect the dwelling that they are in. A church, or any religious dwelling is a place of honor and sacredness and should be respected.