The Arts and Religion:

“Table Collective is a creative interspiritual community.”

That is the first portion of our self description which goes on to add:

“...cultivating compassionate, creative, connected lives through mindful sharing of art and spirituality.”

While we don’t use the word “religion” in those clauses, it is clear that we live and breathe in the place where creativity and spirituality intersect, and thus where art and religion intersect.

However, we are very aware that people within different religious heritages raise important questions about the place of art. Indeed, some question whether their religious heritage would encourage art at all. Some artists who are also devout religious adherents may struggle with feeling they may be somehow betraying their own religious convictions by pursuing their art and creative endeavors.

Because of this we felt it would be helpful to articulate how we understand the perspectives of different religions relative to art and artists, and how we approach this place of intersection between worlds which are often kept separate: art and religion.

Introduction

Religion and art throughout history seem to dance between being synergistic partners on the one hand, and suspicious antagonists on the other. 

Sometimes art has been seen as a friend of religion, used as a tool for advancing and expressing religious beliefs by teaching religious stories and doctrines and providing iconography and sacred imagery. 

However, history is also full of examples of religious authorities banning and even killing artists and blacklisting their artistic expressions. 

On the other side of that coin are the artists. There are, of course, artists who create their works out of a deep sense of devotion to the religious heritages of their birth. At the same time, there are those whose creative offerings express critical views of religion and religious leaders.

Thus religions and the arts are sometimes close friends, sometimes bitter enemies, and sometimes live in uneasy tension with each other.

Just as Table Collective does not prioritize one genre of artistic expression over another, neither do we prioritize one religion over another. Our intention is to create a space where people of different religious and artistic backgrounds will feel safe to practice their religious convictions, and also feel safe to learn from the perspectives of others in our community who may come from other heritages (including those with agnostic or atheistic convictions). We will say more about this below, but we hope our Table Collective community will be marked by an approach towards the various religious heritages of the world that fosters a posture of acceptance, exploration, and integration. 

The Arts and Religion

Each description below presents the ways that different religions view the potential positive contributions of the arts. However one important contribution is not mentioned specifically in the different sections below. The reason is that this is something that in one way or another all the heritages have in common.

In different ways every religious tradition has employed the arts as inspiration for and ways to express the need for social change. Indeed, in many cases, the original texts of various religions include examples of poetry and songs being used to promote justice or to point out areas of injustice. And religious art has historically been used to challenge oppressive systems, and to present visions of what peaceful and just societies might be like.

With that serving as introduction, we turn to look at six world religions relative to how they see the arts. These religions are presented in alphabetical order.

Buddhism 

Buddhist visual art includes representations of the Buddha (reflecting different stages or aspects of the Buddha’s journey), mandalas, and other symbolic imagery. Relative to music there is chanting and selective use of percussive instruments.

Buddha did not address “art” in the general sense of that term. In some versions of early Buddhist texts, it is said that the Buddha cautioned against music and entertainment, as hindrances to meditation and because these could incite the senses and attachment. However, later Buddhist traditions incorporated music and other arts into practice, using them as tools for spiritual cultivation and offering to the Buddha. 

Early Buddhist Views:

Early codes for monks and nuns prohibited performing, listening to, or watching musical performances. This was rooted in the belief that music, along with other forms of entertainment, could lead to attachment, hindering the path to enlightenment. 

 
Later Buddhist Traditions:

Tibetan Buddhism, in particular, incorporated music and other arts into their practices. Music became a way to express devotion to the Buddha, or to memorize sacred texts, and to cultivate meditation. Ritual music, both vocal and instrumental, was used as a tool in Buddhist spiritual practice. Thus, chanting of mantras and sutras, instrumental music in various rituals, and in some cases, dance, have become part of certain Buddhist practices. 

 
Some important points:

The intention behind the use of art is important. Music, for example, if used for distraction or entertainment is discouraged. Art used to promote mindfulness and compassion is encouraged. 

Art plays a crucial role in conveying Buddhist teachings and narratives, making them more accessible and memorable. 

Buddhist teachings can also inspire creativity by encouraging practitioners to overcome negative emotions like insecurity and selfishness, which can lead to greater love, compassion, and ultimately, creativity.

Christianity

Christian art has a long history, with depictions of Jesus, Mary, saints, and biblical stories and doctrines. A variety of musical expressions are welcomed in Christianity, including vocal and instrumental.

Generally speaking, Christianity views art as a gift from God, the original creator and source of creativity. Art therefore can be a means of expressing human creativity, as well as a tool for spiritual growth. Christianity tends to encourage believers to use their artistic talents to glorify God and reflect His beauty in the world. 

While appreciating the beauty and value of art, however, Christians are also cautioned against idolatry and the misuse of art. 

Throughout history, Christianity has balanced these two core approaches to art in various ways. Some Christians are very open to the arts and to a wide variety of creative expressions. Others express a far more critical view, and limit creative expression more narrowly to certain genres or styles (for example, in some denominations no musical instruments are allowed to be used in churches, and in others certain musical rhythms are viewed to be inherently “sensual” and forbidden).

For some Christians, art has value for its own sake, as an expression of the fact that humans are made in the image of a creative God. For others, art should not just be about personal expression, but also about uplifting the soul and illuminating the beauty of God's holiness, power, and grace. 

Some Christians believe that art can play a role in God's plan of redemption, whereas others feel it is only allowable within the context of the worship of God and for the doctrinal instruction of the church.

Other than music, the New Testament does not mention art. However, what Christians call the Old Testament mentions various artisans and artistic endeavors, such as the construction of the Tabernacle and the Temple, demonstrating the importance of art.

But perhaps what it says about music could by extension be applied to other genres and artistic expressions:

The writings of the New Testament encourage the place of songs as an integral expression of worship and of community life. Singing is to be directed towards God, as a way to express joy, gratitude, and praise. But songs are also to be “aimed” towards one another as a way to encourage and inform. Christians are told to "speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.” 

Hinduism

Hindu art encompasses sculptures, paintings, and murals, depicting deities, epic stories, and sacred rituals. Devotional music is a common feature of Hindu devotion. 

Hinduism views art as a fundamental expression of devotion (bhakti) and a means to connect with the divine, with various art forms like sculpture, painting, music, dance, and architecture playing important roles in religious practice and cultural expression.  

General Ethos:

The arts are employed in Hinduism to evoke emotions in the audience, and to help create moods, so that love, pity, anger, heroism, awe, and terror can be expressed by the artists and experienced by the participants.

The visual arts (painting and sculpture):

Hinduism emphasizes the importance of devotion to deities, and visual art serves as a powerful tool to visualize and connect with the divine, and to imagine the world beyond their own.  Thus, Hindu deities and mythological stories are often depicted in sculptures, paintings, and murals. 

Music:

In Hinduism, music is a means of spiritual connection. There is with a long and varied history of integrating music into rituals and beliefs. Music is believed to awaken spiritual consciousness, and to help people connect with the divine, foster meditation, contemplation, and prayer.

Many Hindus believe that music is of divine origin, with Shiva considered to be the creator of music itself, which is also associated with the rhythmic motion of the universe. One of the Hindu sacred texts, the Sama Veda, is considered the origin of a number of the specific styles and genres of music in India, with melodies used for the recitation of hymns during religious ceremonies. 

Islam

Islamic art, while discouraging visual representation of the divine, and of human figures, especially of prophets, has a rich artistic history in the form of calligraphy, geometric patterns, and architectural designs. Calligraphy especially emphasizes the Qur’an, and the importance of its inspired words.

Islam, like Judaism, has a complex and nuanced view  of the arts, both visual and musical, with some Muslims believing it's permissible while others consider it forbidden, depending on the content and context. 

While the Quran doesn't explicitly prohibit all art, Islamic tradition emphasizes non-figurative art, particularly avoiding depictions of living human beings, which is seen as potentially a form of idol worship. The general principle is to avoid figurative art, though there are nuances and interpretations among Muslims regarding the permissibility of certain types of art, such as fantasy art or art for educational purposes. 

Thus, Islamic art often features geometric patterns, calligraphy, and intricate designs, rather than realistic depictions of humans or animals. 

In addition, Islamic art often focuses on the spiritual representation of objects and beings, rather than their physical qualities, allowing artists to convey deeper meanings and connect with the divine. 

The place of music in Islam is also nuanced. The Quran doesn't explicitly prohibit music. In fact, some interpretations suggest it's permissible as long as it doesn't lead to sin or distract from religious obligations. 

The music that is used in Quranic recitation and chanting is permissible. But other types of music are more controversial, with some Muslims allowing and others forbidding them.

The permissibility of music often depends on the lyrics, the setting, and the intention of the musician or creator, and of the listener. 

Judaism

Similar to Islam, Judaism includes a prohibition against idolatry, based in the Ten Commandments. Jewish art also includes calligraphy, decorative arts, and religious texts.  

Judaism's view of art is complicated. It is rooted in the Second Commandment's prohibition against "graven images," but we need to keep in mind that interpretations of that prohibition allow for artistic expression, when not used for “idolatry” (begging the question of course, about the definition of idolatry).

To understand the Jewish view of art we need to dig more deeply into the commandment in question. The second of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:4; Deuteronomy 5:8) states, "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth". 

Some interpret this as a complete ban on all artistic representations of any sort. However, most would focus on this as a prohibition not against image making (and hence art), but against idolatry: the creation and worship of images of the divine. 

Thus, the motivation of an artist is a crucial factor, and this allows for artistic expression that is not intended solely for worship. 

While questions remain about the nature of idolatry and what constitutes Jewish art, in fact visual art is a normal feature of Jewish life, with many Jewish homes displaying paintings and other artworks.  

What is clear, however, is that music as an art form In Judaism, is considered a potent and sacred expression, integral to prayer, religious practice, and cultural expression. It's viewed as a way to connect with the divine, express emotions, and strengthen community. 

Taoism

In Taoism, the approach to art reflects the emphasis in Taoism on harmony with nature, the pursuit of the Way, as well as the concept of simplicity. Taoist art includes a wide range of expressions: paintings, sculptures, and calligraphy, often depicting landscapes, various deities, and other symbolic elements.

In Taoism, the essence of all things is the Tao, or Way. Taoism emphasizes naturalness, simplicity, and harmony as the primary means of living in accord with that Way. This is also true of the arts.

Taoist art includes landscape paintings, calligraphy, poetry, and music, all of which aim to capture the beauty and balance found in nature.  

As such, Taoists believe that the arts can help individuals achieve inner harmony and balance, aligning them with the Tao. 

Taoist artists often draw inspiration from the sights and sounds of nature, viewing natural sounds, for example, as a reflection of the divine "natural notes of the respiration of the earth and the cosmic breath that inspires everything". 

It won’t be surprising then, that Taoism values simplicity and spontaneity in art, encouraging artists to create naturally and without excessive effort or decoration. 

The Arts and Religion:
Table Collective’s Approach?

As we noted at the outset, religion and art frequently dance between being synergistic partners on the one hand, and suspicious antagonists on the other. 

We could go into much more detail within each heritage we have included. We could provide examples of artists who pushed the edges of religious heritages, whether they were born into it, adopted it later in life, rejected it outright, or rejected and accepted it selectively, etc. 

And we could provide examples of artists who have used their artistic expression in the service of their spiritual understanding, and for whom spiritual experience was a source of creative inspiration.

However, our focus here is to outline how Table Collective approaches the variety of ways each heritage views the arts, and how we approach the differences between ways that artists view religious heritages.

There are several guiding values or principles in our approach:

Acceptance

Table Collective recognizes and accepts the differences and the tensions within and between religious heritages when it comes to the arts. The differences are simply part of the reality of our shared life as human beings. Table Collective does not hold to or advocate any particular religion’s view of art, or artistic view of religion. They all belong. We accept them all, indeed we welcome them to the table.

Exploration

Beyond accepting and welcoming the reality that there are numerous approaches and perspectives and convictions about art and religion, Table Collective creates opportunities for members and participants in our various offerings to explore other artistic and religious heritages, to learn from different religious and artistic traditions, genres, spiritual and creative experiences, points of view, theories, etc.

Integration

In addition to accepting and exploring all of this, Table Collective encourages and offers opportunities to integrate in various ways the different perspectives on art and spirituality we have touched on above. We encourage through our various offerings the chance to receive from and give to each other, and to integrate what we learn experientially into our own creative and spiritual journeys.  

The most meaningful way to foster these approaches of acceptance, exploration, and integration is in the context of community. And that is the kind of community we hope that Table Collective will encourage and foster.

Conclusion

Our purpose in this paper has been to provide a summary of the ways that different religions view the arts, as a way of helping those, especially artists, who may have concerns as they seek to be true to their religious heritages and also the expression of their true, creative selves as artists. 

This paper also provides more background for what we mean when we describe Table Collective as “a creative interspiritual community cultivating compassionate, creative, connected lives through mindful sharing of art and spirituality.”