Christianity likes to take credit for the works of art that it sponsored – and I do mean sponsored as in paid for, as in passing on donations from believers through bishops to artisans and musicians. Still, some of the works might have been further inspired by the emotional connection of artists to their beliefs.
Since the most beautiful element of a cathedral is literally its elevation, it is impossible to capture in a photograph the purity of space that inspires awe. In this sense, cathedrals are rather like the Grand Canyon.
We owe the following piece not so much to Christianity as to Mozart, who smuggled it out of a performance at the Sistine chapel in his head. Obviously, Mozart must have cared more for beautiful music than about threats of excommunication. I suppose it's a matter of taste, but I think that it is sublime.
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