`Mirz123

Just call me Mary Sue

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Does an artist's personal beliefs effect whether you watch them or not?

44%

93 deviants said Usually not, unless they are a jerk about them.

29%

61 deviants said Depends on if/how they voice them.

15%

32 deviants said Not at all.

12 deviants said Absolutely.

11 deviants said Potato chips!

Devious Comments

*JimmyDimples Mar 31, 2011 Hobbyist Writer

I'll be brutally honest: what a person believes more often or not does affect my viewership. But then it boils down to what they do with it.

I do know that Jesus told us believers in Him to go into the world that He died for us, and wants us to follow Him. I also know that not everyone will do this; this is acknowledged in the Bible; that's free will for ya.

I also know that billy-clubbing someone over the skull with what you believe (religious or not) generally doesn't work. Being cheerful, friendly, and giving Something positive to make others want What you've got does, IMHO.

My own beliefs (follower of Jesus Christ/pro-American conservative/geek/redneck, etc.) I trust, are pretty plain. Folks know what they are up front so they're not (usually) caught by surprise by a viewpoint they didn't see coming iin a story or journal post.

I've got atheistic and agnostic arteests in my fave folders. I pray for them, of course, and hope they'll welcome a new viewpoint, though. And if absolutely, unavoidably necessary, even I'LL say a word or two if they want.

And for the record, my only complaint on the stamp is a little leeriness on the "graven image" matter. I'd have gone with a ray of light from the clouds. But that's me.

You're still on my watch list, FWIW.

`Mirz123 Apr 1, 2011

Of course, I respect your POV.

"But then it boils down to what they do with it."

Agreed. I am very firm on "hate the sin, love the sinner." Unless someone is overtly hateful of my beliefs and/or makes hateful art to the effect, then I am just as apt to watch them or not watch them. That said, I have seen some very mean and brutal believers who have said the most hateful and spiteful things (and I'm not talking about simply stating their beliefs which offend someone, but outright attacking). To that same end, I would not be inclined to watch them, either.

As for "graven image", I respectfully disagree. To me, hanging a picture of God in your house, or displaying a stamp on your page is no different than displaying a picture of Abraham Lincoln or other figure we know, respect, and love. I proudly show off picture of my family, and I truly feel that with God it should be no different.

Also, some people may not be familiar with the abstract imagery. This way most people can relate to the stamp, believer or not.

Okay, have to get off here as I'm avoiding dA today.

~youareface Mar 30, 2011

i would watch someone based on their personality and art not beliefs or race. the fact that someone would unwatch somoene based on religion or race sickens me. i cant believe that kind of stuff still happens. that kinda stuff shoul've ended after there was a world war about it.

`Mirz123 Apr 6, 2011

Well, it happens. But we have to keep trying in the hopes that someday things will change.

~youareface Apr 7, 2011

hopefully...

~Tanukitsune1 Mar 29, 2011 Hobbyist Digital Artist

I don't really know where to put me on the "religious scale", but beliefs of the lack of belief doesn't bother or affect my view of an artist.

I'd hate to say it, but I'm pretty sure if you said you believe in Allah or Buddha you would have been left alone, most atheist are more anti-Christian God than anything else, I've never seen one pick on anything BUT Christians!

I'm not anti-Atheist, but God dammit, they ratio of hatred and "jerkiness" among them is VERY high!

`Mirz123 Mar 29, 2011

That is true. Particularly in American (I know in some other countries, other faiths are higher targets). What's interesting is that people presume this is the Christian God, even though I use "God" ambiguously. Granted, I do have a couple of other Christian pieces in my gallery (a Christmas sign and Noah's Ark--though I think Noah is borderline), so perhaps they would have made the connection. Still. I suppose the words Allah or Buddha would have made it more specific.

Thanks for the support, sweetie.

~Tanukitsune1 Mar 31, 2011 Hobbyist Digital Artist

Don't worry about it also that sometimes, when you say say "I like cats" others hear "I hate dogs", if you know what I mean?

Take care!

`Mirz123 Apr 6, 2011

I may just have to put that on a stamp. Will credit you.

~Tanukitsune1 Apr 6, 2011 Hobbyist Digital Artist

I've had that idea running in my head for a while, I don't think I've got the wording perfected yet, but if you got the idea, then I did it? :3
Of course you can use it!