Visual Language & Faith An(icon)ism 710-1550 7/10/2014
Christian and Islamic art differs because the Islamic faith does not encourage figurative images to be depicted in their religion and they did encourage their followers to read and learn. It is a personal religion where the individual is expected to be totally focused on prayer. Christian religion used visual images to tell stories for instance the 12 stations of the cross. Followers were not encouraged to read as the Bishops wanted to retain power and mystery over their congregations.
Islamic art including calligraphy
Modern Islamic art by Hamid Ajami
Coptic Christian art 6 and 7 century
fig 4 http://mattstone.blogs.com/photos/sacred_images/graffiti_christ.jpg
Britain, according to the latest census, is now a secular society and the Anglican Church is trying to combat this by the use of the Alpha Course which was founded in 1977 by the Reverend Charles Marnham. It was developed into its current format by Nicky Gumbel vicar at the Holy Trinity evangelical church Brompton, West London and the course is designed to be "informal, friendly and fun". It is open to non believers as well as believers and is usually taken over a 10 week period. 169 Countries in the world now use the course.
source: The Independent on Sunday Matthew Bell 31 March 2013
The present Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby supports the Alpha Course and when the courses are running the participants usually start with a meal as part of the course. Not all of those who attend go on to become Christians or convert to Christianity.
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