Dashkova,
I really think we are on the same page as far as the influences of art through the centuries. I don't think I'm expressing my meaning clearly. We were discussing the "gore" factor and an example of an altar piece was given. What I'm trying to say is that those day to day events that are happening in the culture often times find themselves being expressed in the art. For example during the terrible plagues of Europe, we see death, bodies, evil as a major theme in the art of the time. That is what I'm meaning when I say the culture influences the art. I hope that helps.....it's much easier to express it orally than by written methods.
I didn't say that the spiritual motivations used by the church was appropriate (I believe not!).....but they were effective with an uneducated populace.
The Dura Europas church is an excellent example of the synthesis of beliefs among the common people. The influence of paganism and Judaism on Christianity cannot be discounted.
I'm amused by your differentiation between religious and non-religious institutions. It comes across as a put down to someone who might have gotten their education from a religiously associated school. So....say if I attended Notre Dame.....my education is somehow suspect. It is a "religious school." Actually I have studied religion (most of them). As to my pedigree in education, suffice it to say I have studied at both types of institutions and have enough degrees to register on the scale. I totally disagree with the idea that faith and academics cannot agree......on with the discussion!!!