Replies

>> [...] But a building that is dedicated for worshipping Him aids us in experiencing His presence (That is, in getting rid of all the day to day distractions and actively being in His presence).

It seems to me that architectural grandeur IS a day-to-day distraction. If the grandiosity of the building is drawing attention ... it is drawing attention away from the Almighty toward the building.

>> Unless of course you don’t think people can worship God with the creations of their hands and skills.

Designing and building the church may very well have been an act of worship toward God. Basking in the glory of the building seems to be an act of worship for the building.

SnakeDoc

If the grandiosity of the building is drawing attention ... it is drawing attention away from the Almighty toward the building.

The building does not draw attention from God, it focuses attention on God.

Basking in the glory of the building seems to be an act of worship for the building.

No one basks in teh glory of the building. Buildings have no glory. But they can set a stage where God's glory is more easily discerned.

Designing and building the church may very well have been an act of worship toward God. Basking in the glory of the building seems to be an act of worship for the building.

Having attended Marquette, a good Jesuit University, I once had the privilege to attend mass in the Joan of Arc chapel. For those who don't know the story when they wanted to build a larger church on the location where Joan of Arc supposedly was inspired by God to throw the British out of France they moved the original building stone for stone from France to Milwaukee. Now the building is small, fairly dark inside, unembellished and made from crudely dressed stone. And yet i felt more of a connection in that tiny building than I ever did in the cathedral just across the lawn from it. I just kept playing in my mind, if I got that call, how would I answer.

Christs presence is not in the church but in the hearts of Christians. No building no matter how ornate or simple can capture that spirit. No dictator can suppress it. And the derision of a Comedy Central show can not destroy it.