Religious discrimination is treating a person harshly because of their religious beliefs. In today’s society this is an issue that we constantly come across, face and struggle to set right. There was a time once where religion consisted of peace and respect. During the byzantine era, religion was a huge part of the political agenda and a major aspect of society. It was strongly encouraged that citizens carry religious icons with them at all times, influencing every aspect of their lives. The sculpture “Virgin and Child” better known as the “Poligny Virgin” is suitable for my campaign. It symbolizes the importance of religious beliefs and a foundation which brought society together due to the vague and open ended context of the religious sculpture.
The Virgin and Child, “Poligny Virgin” was created by Claus de Werve. This sculpture displays a curly headed child as the representation of the iconic Jesus, as he appears to be looking up at his mother, she balances him and a large book on her lap. The idea of balancing the book and the baby can symbolize the balance of religion and aspects in life that can interfere with it. The sculpture clearly brought forth the ideal that individuals should not be treated differently because of their religious beliefs. In today’s society many people are still struggling, losing opportunities because of their religious values. Instead, individuals should be judged by their hard work and how they carry themselves. The idea of balance in the sculpture demonstrates the equality which we should have. It broadens our mind and opens our horizons to treat each other equally despite all our different spiritual beliefs. The sculpture itself captures a beautiful moment between a mother and her son. The mother who’s lovingly looking over her son symbolizes this bonding moment. We as the viewer can translate the moment between the two as a moment in time where religion ca be looked upon in a positive light. The mother, in this symbolic context can be viewed as “society” and the child can be portrayed as “religion.” Society as a whole tends to look down on religious beliefs due to the fact that being educated is a modern connotation for no longer believing in the ideal of a holy creator. As the mother looks upon her son, the metaphor of her being wiser, and knowing what’s best and what’s really out there is symbolic. Although today it is not looked upon in a good way, this sculpture can change that view. Not everyone in society has religious beliefs but the individuals that do are just as important in society as the people that do not. A Latin inscription was included on the bench of the statue which states “From the beginning and before the world, was I created.” It was written to display wisdom and the personification of wisdom, Mary whom was the vessel that brought Jesus into this Earth. Earth is portrayed out to hold within her the ultimate wisdom. The way in which Mary brought Jesus into this earth can demonstrate, and advocate for the wisdom that religion bring forth into society. The lack of knowledge in religion causes discrimination because we, meaning (society) don’t know what an individual’s beliefs are unless they are displayed openly. Without this insight society as a conglomerate of individuals, think of religion as “outside the norm” and act in a negative way towards it. Mary being the vessel for bringing the wisdom of Jesus to earth can portray the change that religion can bring to society