In contemporary society, there is a strong inclination towards secularism, which means that religious or spiritual matters are considered separate from everyday life and governance. According to this view, efforts by those who seek profound spiritual experiences—referred to as mystics—will likely remain isolated events rather than influencing the broader cultural landscape significantly. Additionally, while our understanding of existence may become more complex and nuanced over time, we will not create grand architectural monuments like cathedrals that symbolize faith and spirituality.
The deep meaning behind this statement touches on the interplay between societal trends and personal beliefs. It suggests that in an age dominated by secularism and rational thought, spiritual experiences remain individualistic rather than being woven into the fabric of society as a whole. The comment about not building cathedrals serves as a metaphor for the lack of monumental physical expressions of faith and spirituality in modern times. This implies a shift away from tangible symbols of religious devotion towards more abstract or personal forms of spiritual expression, reflecting a broader cultural trend where materialistic values often take precedence over spiritual ones.
The quote is attributed to Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, a renowned German-American architect known for his minimalist and functionalist approach to design. His work emphasized clarity and simplicity in architectural form, which reflects the modernist ideals of embracing rationality and rejecting ornamental excesses commonly found in historic religious architecture like cathedrals. Van der Rohe’s statement encapsulates his broader philosophical stance on how society should relate to both spiritual quests and physical structures that embody them.
