Shake

Any other nontheists enjoy the architecture or other physical aspects of some churches? Would you visit a church simply to check out the building style and ornamentation? I'd love to get over to Europe some day to see some of the old cathedrals. For now, I have to settle with the memory of St. Patrick's in NYC. There was also a beautiful church in Charleston, SC (right on Broad St.) where some friends of ours got married a few years ago!

Eudaimonist

Yes, I have to admit I love the architecture of the main Mormon temple on Oahu, Hawaii. It conveys a very peaceful feeling.

I'd also love to visit the UU temple designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The pics I've seen are very interesting.

Amazon

I am a huge fan of Italy - Florence in particular. I find the huge, ornate old churches irresistible as places to visit whenever I am there.
Sure, I'm sensitive to what they represent and I feel sadness that all that spectacular beauty was created to honor the BIG LIE, but the beauty is there, it is real, and I will cherish it as long as I am alive.

As for American churches, they have to be the old, ornate variety for me to waste a glance on even their exteriors. Contemporary churches flood me with contempt.

Even as an atheist, I am a church snob.

christ-on-a-stick

When driving down to San Diego, I am always impressed by the huge-ass Mormon Tabernacle right off the freeway... it looks very fairy-taleish.

And some of the cathedrals in England are just amazing. I would really love to see the Sistine Chapel as well. Has anyone been?

On the OTHER HAND, I get very irritated just driving by some of the behemoth (and UGLY) "modern" churches around here... what a frickin' waste of space.

ybnormal

For several years starting in about the 8th grade (@ 1959), I was a part of a Methodist Youth Choir that toured the Southeast. Our Minister of Music would stop at any interesting/unusual church to have a look around and photograph. Churches were always open back then. As the only good thing to come from religion for me personally, I have enjoyed churches physically since then. And the buildings are money better spent than buying off politicians I suppose.

Of course these days, most of what I see being built is, appropriately, huge generic warehouses to serve as theatrical entertainment centers. But I do love any well-designed building, and have been a FLWright fan forever. I don't need the majestic cathedrals, as quaint country churches are interesting as well. The best place I've found for those is the big island of Hawaii, which is literally covered with small, old photogenic rural churches. But as for Hawaii, my favorite building design there has to be the State Capitol.

I ate Pascal's Wafer

I like the architecture of those big ass cathedrals in France and other nearby European countries. My favorite is probably the Chartres cathedral in France, with the two different towers on it. I love those places.

-Nick

happyboy

eh, i burst into flames if i ever enter a church, you know, the whole spawn of satan gig.....

happyboy, eager initiate of satan

Never

Now you're confusing me. I thought bursting into flames only happened to vampires in sunlight. Who has the rule book?


Seriously though, I love neat old buildings. I went to Paris and London a few years ago with a friend and we checked out some
of the tourist sites. St Paul's in London was just breathtaking. Beautiful building. Never thought we'd be sitting in a church enjoying the vibe, but there we were. Of course the Tower of London and the London Dungeon were really cool too.

Amergin

I am an agnostic leaning toward atheism. But I can appreciate many things produced by religious people with religious themes. I can admire the architecture of the great old churches of Granite in Aberdeen Scotland, St. Andrew's in Inverness, Trinity at Trinity College in Dublin, the ancient abbey at Lindesfarne, Westminster Abbey, the Notre Dame in Paris.

Also, I have discovered some really beautiful religious music. Some of it is pre-medieval, medieval, and some nearly modern. There are some great old choral songs from Ireland. The best are probably the CD's of Norin Ni Riain, a singer who specialises on ancient Gaelic Christian music. She often collaborates with the Monks of Glenstal Abbey in Limerick, Ireland. Their music is quite beautiful, some is Gaelic and some Latin.

Another source is Sean O'Riada who has done some CDs with the Monks as well. There is some good music in the same genre by Lorena McKinnet that is Christian as well as Pagan in sources. Then to go to the other side of the Atlantic, I happen to like to listen to the Bluegrass Gospel music of the American South. Some is found in the movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou." The best groups are the Stanley Brothers or Ralph Stanley, the Cox Family, Jim and Jesse McReynolds, Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys.

I will only mention Art. It is far to vast to discuss on one post. Europe abounds in great religiously inspired Art, not just Leonardo Da Vinci.

Amergin

Goliath

To answer the questions of the OP:

No, and absolutely not!

Sincerely,

Goliath