Religion and art have traveled hand in hand through the centuries. Religion has utilized art in order to transmit messages, values, and promote the religion throughout the lands. But art, it has done much more than what religion actually needed, art could go both ways, it could perpetuate, idolize, and heighten many aspects of religion, but could also expose, criticize, and reveal sides to the audience that could have been clouded by the other-wise pedestaling form of representation.
A modern presentation of spiritual aspects of religion and churches is highlighted by art and enhanced with psychoactive drugs that links and brings religion and art to a tighter bond. It is called the International Church of Cannabis, which is the perfect example for this blog, because just like religion-themed art from before, it is controversial, some may like the new input and some may disagree in alarming levels, such as the introduction of Christians, where they had to make their religious art as ordinary things that could be interpreted within a religious context and they had to meet in colorful catacombs just so they would not be murdered or ostracized for their religion. Art helped this new and rising religion pull through turbulent times of political and religious refute. Going back to the International Church of Cannabis, not only does it address religious disputes, such as homosexuality, drug use, and liberalism almost as a whole, but it shows and addresses a new way to connect with the religion within yourself, they utilize what the church criticizes in order to find a deeper connection with a greater force, even if they do not provide Marihuana themselves, they allow for church-goers to use their own type of Cannabis.
The Church is decorated with myriad colors, and contains intricate designs of animals, with distorted geometric shapes and explosive, vibrant colors schemes. The purpose of this art is to enhance the religious experience and connection of the cannabis users and Elevationist. It is truly impressive how art can bring forward and enhance religion, politics, points of view, and most importantly opinions. Art and Religion have come a long way together, creating new concepts and heightening valuable ideas, and as I stated above, Art and Religion have tightly held hands through the centuries and they will continue on to do so for the good and the bad of society.
Link to the church’s website: https://www.elevationists.org