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RELIGIOUS ART | NEWS OF WEEK

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS 
By TAHLIB
Holydays remind us why we follow our choosen spiritual paths, and deaths are often associated with those holydays. The anniversaries of the deaths of John F. Kennedy, a modern humanist; Aldous Huxley, an Eastern pantheist; and C.S. Lewis, a Christian apologist have all been in the news this week. However today, 23 million Sikh's worldwide commemorate a holyday, and that's why "Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day" (above) is my NEWS OF WEEK. In 1675, Guru Tegh Bahadar, the ninth Sikh Guru died in defense of the religious freedom of Hindus against Islamic conversion. In this week's artwork, the artist places the Guru between three groupings: other religious martyrs; powerful persecutors; and the cowering bystanders. The painting, like the holyday, is an invitation. Which path would you choose?

In other religious art news from across the USA, and around the world:
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Comments

Ernest Disney-Britton said…
During WWII, Pastor Martin Niemöller wrote of the German people who did not oppose the Holocaust: "First they came for the communists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist. Then they came for the socialists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me." During the Underground Railroad, the American population totalled over 30 million with 5 million enslaved, but how many stood in opposition to slavery? Historians estimate that between 10K to 100K stood in opposition, which leaves 30 million bystanders and persecutors. If faced with the choice as shown in this painting, I'd like to hope I'd choose the path of the Sikh Guru, but I fear I'd be in the majority group of 30 million. What about you?
Sun Nov 24, 10:50:00 AM EST
Ginger B. said…
It is appalling what we as humans do to one another, so bent on being right as we are. It often calls into question the value of religion as opposed to spirituality. Unfortunately I believe we are all capable of discrimination and cruel acts. I also believe that open conversations and exposure to the realities of others can/could help us find common ground and a way to peacefully cohabit this world.
Sun Nov 24, 05:48:00 PM EST
Sarah Adams said…
We have experienced death in our family this week. She was no martyr, unless walking this earth with these clumsy bodies could be considered so. Still her Spirit rose from its shell and joined those before, as we all will. I don't know on what side of the Guru's path I would stand, but I do know all this is fleeting. We are meant to exist as our divine selves in communion with one another and our God.
Mon Nov 25, 10:29:00 AM EST
Gregory A. Disney said…
All I can hope is during my brief existence on earth that I did more good than harm to my fellow human beings. This piece is truly inspiring!
Mon Nov 25, 04:40:00 PM EST
Ernest Disney-Britton said…
I am sorry for your loss. I get the sense from your post that she was a genuinely authentic spirit.
Mon Nov 25, 05:34:00 PM EST
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