Nudity and Religion

The President of Iran, Hassan Rohani came on a State Visit to Rome.

As everybody knows, Hassan does not like nudity. In particular does he abhor nudity of women.

Oh horror of horrors, what shall we do ? In Rome's museums naked statues abound. Great works of art, created by Italy's great artists, such as Michelangelo, Donatello, Bernini and many others who depicted the human form in all its beauty and elegance.

But works like Michelangelo's “David” or “Pieta” show nudity of men, while statues celebrating the female body are almost too many to count.

Quick now, a visitor is coming, who does not like, is actually offended by nudity.

What do we do ? Somebody, (now everybody denies having had anything to do with it), somebody decided to build wooden enclosures for some and drape others in black cloth.

The Mayor of Rome insists he knew nothing. The Minister of Culture absolutely denies having given these instructions.

Not to worry, Hassan Rohani was “very pleased with the hospitality shown him.”

Isn't it interesting to note that all this prudery, this phony chastity, always seems to come from the religious corner of society.

History records the absolute storm of indignation which came from the Papacy at the unveiling of Michelangelo's “Last Judgment” in the Sistine Chapel.

Pope Paul IV wanted to have Michelangelo's work destroyed because of all the nudity 'so abhorrent to his Christian sensitivity.' He changed his mind in the last moment, declaring himself satisfied with a simple 'paint-over' of the most offending parts.

Christianity, as most other religions, have always had a difficult time accepting nudity of the human body, although the human body, according to their belief, in all its nakedness, was created by their God.

It is a most fortunate development, that these works of Art are no longer considered abhorrently offensive, not even in the Vatican, in whose halls the greatest works of art reside today.

No longer are the greatest works of art, be they paintings or sculptures, defaced or outright spoiled, by over painting.

What degree of consideration do we now owe to a visitor, whose culture cannot accept that, which in the Western culture has become the norm ?

Do we really need to build wooden enclosures, hiding the image of an unclothed person ?

Do we need to wrap it in cloth, hide it in a back room and, yes, deny its very existence ?

Some authorities in Rome seem to suggest exactly that. Then why do they stop there ?

Mr. Rohani is a Muslim. Therefore, one can assume, he does not like to see women on the street without their faces being covered by a Hijab or their bodies wrapped in a Burqa ?

Should not Rome's authorities issue an order, forbidding Roman women to be seen on the streets without such coverings ?

If they wanted to go all the way in their hospitality, why did they not close all pubs, bars, or other ungodly outlets for the sale of alcoholic beverages ? Muslims don't drink, don't you know ?

When I visit Timbuktu I will have to accept their cultural idiosyncrasies and I do not expect them to change their ways, because they might offend me.

In the defense of Mr. Rohani: Nowhere is it said that he asked for this.

Some overzealous little Civil Servant in Rome wanted to make himself important. The Fool.

Bertstravels

truly is not bothered by any of this