This whole series is shaping up to be very provocative, interesting, and well-thought out. I have a feeling once all the images are juxtaposed that the story you're telling will be clear. Very thought-provoking and intelligent work, DS3.

Photographically, I think I actually *like* the distortion in the first one - I think suits the distorted nature of the content.

Originally Posted by divamum This whole series is shaping up to be very provocative, interesting, and well-thought out. I have a feeling once all the images are juxtaposed that the story you're telling will be clear. Very thought-provoking and intelligent work, DS3. Photographically, I think I actually *like* the distortion in the first one - I think suits the distorted nature of the content.

TXS, indeed once completed it will be provocative and down to the point. Some pictures will upset people while others will appreciate them. I will not judge, I only wanted to create my view in an artistic way.

I have added a corrected version with no distortion (or less ) and some extra elements.

Originally Posted by kolibri Not true Biggest Buddhist temple near me did exactly that, transferred an abusive Monk from temple to temple but continued to let him work with kids. There are been child abuse scandals in churches of all ilk, across the U.S and across the world. The Catholic church is the biggest organized religious institute, worlds largest private landowner, 3rd largest in general, and as a result they have the most power. They are just the largest player in the game, and have recently got all the news. While the Catholic Church may be the most egregious offender, if you look at other religions as well, they are not innocent of this kind of abuse of authority.

Sexual abuse at one Buddhist temple does not equal a systematic cover-up of clergy sex-abuse that has been taking place on a worldwide level for hundreds of years within the Catholic church.

There are 1.6 billion Muslims in the world. There are 1.18 billion Catholics (according to the Vatican). How in the world does that make the Catholic church the "biggest religious institute"?

Isolated incidents of child sex abuse in other religions do not even remotely compare to what has been taking place in the Catholic church on a global level literally for hundreds of years. There are currently thousands of Catholic clergy child sex abuse survivors living right now.

My point is that by attributing these horrific acts to "religion" in general is simply not accurate and further buries the truth and let's the Catholic church off the hook. The Catholic church needs to be held accountable for the actions and coverups that have been taking place (again, for hundreds of years). It's not "religion" -- it's "the catholic church" in particular that is the problem. There's a huge difference.

Imagine for a moment that we attribute the child sex abuse in the Boy Scouts simply to "youth groups". Problem is it's not the youth groups in general that have been the problem, it's the Boy Scouts.

I believe beating around the bush is part of the problem because people just shrug and say, "Oh, it's organized religion." When in reality, the problem is with one particular religious institution - the Catholic Church.

While it's a provocative image and I cannot tolerate child abuse of any kind, the problem isn't religion, it's a human problem. True religion looks out after the helpless. All institutions have problems. Sadly, the one institution that is about morals will always be a hypocrite since it is made up of humans.

PS, I like the distorted version and is symbolic of the actor in the picture having a distorted view of religion.

Originally Posted by dogwood Sexual abuse at one Buddhist temple does not equal a systematic cover-up of clergy sex-abuse that has been taking place on a worldwide level for hundreds of years within the Catholic church. There are 1.6 billion Muslims in the world. There are 1.18 billion Catholics (according to the Vatican). How in the world does that make the Catholic church the "biggest religious institute"? Isolated incidents of child sex abuse in other religions do not even remotely compare to what has been taking place in the Catholic church on a global level literally for hundreds of years. There are currently thousands of Catholic clergy child sex abuse survivors living right now. My point is that by attributing these horrific acts to "religion" in general is simply not accurate and further buries the truth and let's the Catholic church off the hook. The Catholic church needs to be held accountable for the actions and coverups that have been taking place (again, for hundreds of years). It's not "religion" -- it's "the catholic church" in particular that is the problem. There's a huge difference. Imagine for a moment that we attribute the child sex abuse in the Boy Scouts simply to "youth groups". Problem is it's not the youth groups in general that have been the problem, it's the Boy Scouts. I believe beating around the bush is part of the problem because people just shrug and say, "Oh, it's organized religion." When in reality, the problem is with one particular religious institution - the Catholic Church.

This is not the place for a long drawn out conversation about how religious teaching to submit blindly/faithfully to authority can perhaps set the scene to be ripe for abuse....

but a few factual comments as relate to the subject and title of this photographic series-

Islam is no more a monolithic religion that Christianity is. The Catholic church, under the pope, lays claim to more followers than any of the schisms of Islam- that is how it can be called the biggest religious institute.

The title of the series is 'in the name of religion', as given here. If you read the documents coming out of the catholic church, especially those of Ratzinger, yes, they justify what they did 'in the name of religion' the end justified the means, better to let abuse continue and go unpunished, than the authority of the Catholic church be questioned or given over to civil authorities.

There are enough examples from other organized religions to show this theme is not exclusive to the Catholic church; so, A) it's pretty clear from the vestements that this picture is targeting Catholic crimes so your main objection is somewhat overruled by the content of the picture, but, even if the photographer wanted to highlight abuse committed by members of other denominations, it would still fit the theme, as I think this sort of abuse and cover-up can be found in many other sects as well. Should they be any less horrific to any single victim because of the scale of the Catholic church cover up?

Originally Posted by kolibri This is not the place for a long drawn out conversation about how religious teaching to submit blindly/faithfully to authority can perhaps set the scene to be ripe for abuse.... but a few factual comments as relate to the subject and title of this photographic series- Islam is no more a monolithic religion that Christianity is. The Catholic church, under the pope, lays claim to more followers than any of the schisms of Islam- that is how it can be called the biggest religious institute. The title of the series is 'in the name of religion', as given here. If you read the documents coming out of the catholic church, especially those of Ratzinger, yes, they justify what they did 'in the name of religion' the end justified the means, better to let abuse continue and go unpunished, than the authority of the Catholic church be questioned or given over to civil authorities. There are enough examples from other organized religions to show this theme is not exclusive to the Catholic church; so, A) it's pretty clear from the vestements that this picture is targeting Catholic crimes so your main objection is somewhat overruled by the content of the picture, but, even if the photographer wanted to highlight abuse committed by members of other denominations, it would still fit the theme, as I think this sort of abuse and cover-up can be found in many other sects as well. Should they be any less horrific to any single victim because of the scale of the Catholic church cover up?

Very good points and a well thought out response.

Based on the passionate dialog generated by the images, I believe D3Sshooter's attempt to provoke thought on the dark side of religion is proving to be very successful.

Sam

I absolutely love the original, color shot. Distortion and all. I think it works spectacularly.
multiple kinds of garb, pose, exposure.. everything jut works for me!

Awesome work!

Originally Posted by Sam Based on the passionate dialog generated by the images, I believe D3Sshooter's attempt to provoke thought on the dark side of religion is proving to be very successful. Sam

Very good point, Sam.
Agree 100%
Carlos

Thanks everybody, I am pleased to see that a single picture can start such in depth discussions. I will not judge them, just absorb them. It gives me a good feeling for my thesis / portfolio that it has content. Maybe not perfect, but it makes people think whatever it might be.

I am also pleased to see that we can have polite discussions with different angles of interpretation without falling into verbal aggression. Much appreciated

Originally Posted by D3Sshooter [I am also pleased to see that we can have polite discussions with different angles of interpretation without falling into verbal aggression. Much appreciated [/I]

Yes. Thanks everyone for keeping this civil and on point.