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Backwards? Hardly.

As I have said for the umpteenth time, the early church was not adverse to art in and of itself. There are many examples of pre-Nicene art.

The ECF's were opposed to giving reverence to religious art/images, or giving reverence to what the art/images represented.

Bit of Wonder? Oh, I am fully clear on this matter. Now that I have hopefully taught you the truth of the matter on this, you will be fully clear on it as well and not stuck in wonderment... or wonderland.

Art is not required in Catholic Churches if that helps you but the lack of it does not cure a thing. Many Protestant sects are adverse to art and suffer many of the ills the Catholics are accused of.

My point being it isn't the art but what resides in the heart of the faithful. To focus on a lack of art as a cure is as much a stroll down wonderland as the obsession with having it.

Right now the tide in the Catholic Church is those who want bear walls tend (do not take this as a guarantee sign of anyone one person) such people tend toward the most liberal and offensive doctrines while those who tend toward the traditional decoration and art are more orthodox and conservative in their doctrine.

Note this is a trend and in another age the reverse may be correct. Nor should this be taken as a sign of any one person, just a trend NOW and specifically in the Catholic Church.

The same could also be said in some Protestant Churches. For example the Episcopalian are going through much the same. Bear walls will cure nothing other than to make a doctrine that is without a sound understanding of Scripture nor of the Church Fathers.

The early Church had art in the Catacombs and that was about as much as they could have managed at the time. There was sculpture in the Temple in Jerusalem and it was prescribed by God. What some heretic in the first few centuries may have said will not change that. Nor will quoting some valid early Father out of context do much to remove this from Scripture.

P.S. If you do not like the art in the Catholic Church do not come. It is not your place to direct and guide a Catholic Church in its ornament nor in its lack of it. I am not telling you how to design your meeting house of worship but if you feel the right to tell us do not be surprised if some of us decide to follow your example.