The most awesome thing I have ever seen on the net. The Vatican virtual tours.

me

[FoxPro]

Come visit Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome!

I am warning you, if you go to this link you may be stuck on this website for hours, as I was yesterday:

http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_giovanni/vr_tour/Media/VR/Lateran_Apse/index.html

A map of the project is here:

http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_giovanni/vr_tour/index-it.html

An article about the project is here:

http://cnsblog.wordpress.com/2009/11/11/inside-scoop-on-vaticans-groundbreaking-virtual-tour/#comment-10076

And the real reason I am posting this is my question.

When will the other Vatican related buildings pictorial projects be finished? I cant figure this out.

How will we know?

Where will they be posted?

Is there a good site out there that we can use to find out the artists and history of the objects we are looking at? It is almost overwhelming.

This was posted here at freerepublic.com yesterday, but it didn't get any legs. I want to give it a second try, since it is so amazing. It is arguably, in some ways better than actually being there, as you can zoom into different parts of the building that would be impossible to do while standing on the floor if you were actually there.

[FoxPro]

Doesn’t seem to answer my question.

And if they sold the art, to feed the hungry:

1) Who would they sell it to?
2) And would you then be asking those people to sell it also?

Right now, I am poor and hungry, and probably homeless tomorrow night. I would not take one dime from the sale of any of this, as I one day would like to go over there and see all of this with my own eyes.

It is good to worship God with the creativity that he has given us because we are created in his image.

If they auctioned it all off, it would just give you other people to be angry with for possessing great beauty.

[Brugmansian]

But how many more could they feed by selling this art? Not trying to be negative, just asking a question. What does the Church gain by keeping this art.

Why confine the idea to the Vatican? What about the Metropolitan Museum of Art? Why not sell off that? Or the Smithsonian. Or property the Mormon church owns. Or the Holocaust Museum in D.C. Or sell the Wailing Wall to Muslims. They got lots of money and would no doubt snap it up. Or why not sell off the works in the Prado, Louvre, Tate and Rijksmuseum? Why not sell off every work of Western civilization to the Taliban so they can destroy it and future generations won't know the glories of our civilization?

Why is the question always, always, always, always asked of the Vatican and almost never of anyone else?

[BlueStateBlues]

I just came across one of the Pope graves. They just scatter them around. Do you know if this project is being extended to the Vatican?

[coloradomomba]

Thank you so much, a much needed uplifting moment during such trying times..God Bless

[musicman]

bookmark

[Petronski]

Possession is not the end of the matter. From the 1929 Treaty of Lateran:

Article 18

The artistic and scientific treasures existing within the Vatican City and the Lateran Palace shall remain open to scholars and visitors, although the Holy See shall be free to regulate the admission of the public thereto.

Not only does the art provide a powerful evangelical function, as well as generate tourism income to fund the Church's ongoing worldwide charitable and evangelical missions, but it would seem to violate the Treaty of Lateran to simply sell the portable art and ship it away. As for murals and other architectural features, well, how does one sell a ceiling?

[FoxPro]

Do you know if this project is being extended to the Vatican?

Yes it is, read the original posting. This is why I posted this, these questions. I cant wait to spend a few nights with the Sistine Chapel.

I just cant wait......

[Running On Empty]

It all belongs to the Church and was created for the honor and glory of God. The Church is preserving and protecting it, while at the same time offering it for the world to see.

Your question is akin to the query made to the woman who poured precious oil on the feet of Jesus.

I happen to own a very few precious “family jewels.” I don’t intend to sell them and give the money to the poor. I will pass them on down to my descendents as their heritage. Meanwhile, my descendents and I will give to the poor from our substance ( the work of our hands)—which was the only authentic kind of charity that Jesus asked from each of us as individuals.

[BlueStateBlues]

Thanks, no I didn’t read it, just went right to the link to view the project.

[doc1019]

To answer:

1) Who would they sell it to … museums and collectors

2) After it is sold and the money given to the poor, I wouldn’t care what the buyers did with the art. Feeding the poor should come before the elate appreciation of art. Hard to eat art.

Right now, I am poor and hungry, and probably homeless tomorrow night. I would not take one dime from the sale of any of this, as I one day would like to go over there and see all of this with my own eyes.

Ans: If you are posting on here, you can’t be to poor or hungry. After all you have hi-speed internet connection or your responses wouln’t be so quick. And just my point … all that art is concentrated in one place, a place most of will never visit.

If you are using an Internet café … use the money for food, not to chat with the likes of me.

It is good to worship God with the creativity that he has given us because we are created in his image.

[doc1019]

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is not a church.

[FoxPro]

I am homeless.

I should move in with you.

Where are you located, and do you have an extra rooms?

I can post tonight because it the last night I have here. And I am enjoying it immensely.

I have to come up with $219 for another week, or I am sleeping in my car. And I don’t have it.

I am a computer guy, and can send you my rather extensive resume, if you would like.

I lost more than $100,000 in the past few months, on properties that I owned.

I have 3 great kids and that is all that matters.

[FoxPro]

Please see the orignal post. I an asking the same questions.

[WVKayaker]

Don't expect the Roman Church to sell anything. They are intent on laying up treasure on earth. They justify the hoarding as "preservation" to "evangelize". To hell with the poor.

It's not worship of idols to them, when they bow in front of a carved statue, and it's not worthless to handle a bunch of beads and mutter vain repetitious prayers. Some even justify the use of the term "father" for their beloved pope.

Of course, the Scripture tells us to sell all we own and take up the cross. The Scripture tells us to lay our treasure in heaven. The Scripture tells us to abhor idols, and worship the living God. The Roman Catholic Church insists on preserving idols of the crucified, defeated Christ, and bow to them constantly. Scripture tells us that only God is to be called Father.

But, tradition is more important than Scripture. If you don't believe it, ask a Roman Catholic... /sarcasm

[Daaave]

I just finished hooking up my new HD LED panel. This was maybe the 2nd or 3rd post I’ve looked at since. Yes, it is the most awesome site. I just emailed the addie to my brother.

Thank you FoxPro. Give youself a pat on the back from me. Dave

[Melian]

It’s beautiful! What riches we possess. I love the place that Art has in Catholic worship and history.

[doc1019]

AMEN!

[Falconspeed]

Most excellent. Thanks for the links.

[Falconspeed]

By the way, the obelisk in front of church of St. John Lateran St. John Lateran is the oldest thing in Rome. The 105 foot granite obelisk was completed by the Pharaoh Thutmose in 1500 B.C., Egypt.

[The FIGHTIN Illini]

For later enjoyment