Believing is a lot more American activity than thinking

Religion is always an instrument of social and political control. Art and religion do not mix. In fact the art and the artists must be in opposition to religion and politics. When the art is hired by the establishment it becomes a form of propaganda. If the art ignores social and political environment it becomes a décor.

In places where religion has a strong hand on social life and norms, the art has little fertile ground (Bible belt of the USA). The religious organizations are hard at work to control what their members think and how they spend their free time. In addition to regular church attendance they create social events and activities that keep the herd together. In such places neither visual art not a theater can spring the roots unless they perform in the church and with its approval. If they do not, they effectively become an alternative to the religion. If the art works with the church it is no longer independent and becomes a form of propaganda. Art (unlike sports, marching bands and circus) stimulate thinking and interpreting the world around us. That is why believing is a lot more American activity than thinking. That is why religion and entertainment are happy together but the art is on its own. Unlike entertainment, art becomes a facilitator of change in the culture.