Religion as art

a sublime expression of the human

Abstract

The article "Religion as Art: A Sublime Expression of the Human" investigates religion as a form of art, addressing its symbolic, aesthetic, and transcendental manifestations. The main objective is to analyze how religion uses artistic elements to evoke the sublime, connect humans to the transcendent, and provide meaning to existence. The academic justification highlights the relevance of the topic in broadening the dialogue between theology, philosophy, anthropology, and aesthetics in a world marked by cultural and religious tensions. The theoretical framework is based on Paul Tillich, Mircea Eliade, and Clifford Geertz, who explore, respectively, religion as a symbolic system; the manifestation of the sacred through hierophanies; and religion as a symbolic structure that organizes worldview. These concepts underpin the interdisciplinary approach of the study. The methodology includes a bibliographic review of classical works, case studies, comparative analysis, and a phenomenological approach. Examples such as sacred architecture, liturgical music, and religious rituals illustrate the relationship between the aesthetic and the transcendent. Comparative analysis identifies similarities and cultural differences in sacred expressions. The results indicate that religion, like art, creates symbolic realities that transcend rational understanding, connecting humans to the divine. This approach highlights the essential role of aesthetics and symbolism in religious experience, affirming religion as a universal artistic expression that offers meaning, transcendence, and belonging.