We respond to beauty and love

Just now I am reading 'A Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man' by James Joyce. This brilliant writer draws from his own experience of a Irish Catholic youth to portray various struggles within the protaganist Stephen Dedalus, who is searching for identity and meaning in his life. I'm at the point in which Stephen is at a crossroads in his life, the seductive lure of sin clashing with religious sentiment. A Jesuit priest preaches brimstone and fire, hammering into Stephen and his fellow students the reality of Hell and eternal damnation of his immortal soul. As an 'artist' Dedalus would probably be much more responsive to beauty, whether that be in the form of scripture or theology. There is so much beauty and so much ugliness in this world, living side by side like the wheat and chaff. The Jesuit priest describes the old school image of hell at great length and in vivid detail to his congregation of students. I am glad that I was not alive in that age or exposed to that style of theology. I would have lived my life in perpetual fear, afraid that I might fall into mortal sin at a moments notice. It is something which leads to a false piety, an unhealthy spirituality which has gradually eroded over the years, especially since the 2nd Vatican Council. The image of God as a loving and merciful Father has superceded the portrayal of God as a stern, vengeful Judge. Now, we are encouraged to speak the truth in a spirit of love. It is the priest's duty to attract people to God and the church with practical love and the eloquent translation of theology. The Young Artist is impressionable and at a crucial stage in his life. He will respond to beauty and love like a flower to sunshine and water. An analogy would be the unborn child and abortion. Some Pro-life groups use shock tactics, like showing photos of aborted babies, blood and guts. It's a horrific sight. Would it be better to show photos of the developing baby in the womb, something beautiful and sacred? Would that have more of an impact on society, especially with the constant advance of technology? In the meantime I will read on and discover the fate of Stephen Dedalus, which might also be the fate of Joyce himself.