Origins of the Object Purity Philosophy

The Object Purity philosophy aligns with foundational principles found in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, in their shared emphasis on aniconism (the avoidance of images of sentient beings).

1. Judaism and Object Purity

One of the central tenets in Judaism is the prohibition against creating or worshipping graven images (idolatry). This principle originates from the Second Commandment in the Torah:

“You shall not make for yourself a graven image, nor any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is on the earth below, or that is in the water beneath the earth.”
(Exodus 20:4)

2. Christianity and Object Purity

In early Christianity, particularly in the Byzantine Empire, there was a significant movement known as iconoclasm—the rejection or destruction of images and icons. Early Christians were cautious about the use of images, fearing that representations of Christ, saints, or biblical scenes could lead to idolatry and divert worship from God.

3. Islam and Object Purity

Islam has a strong tradition of aniconism, the prohibition of depicting sentient beings—humans and animals—in religious contexts. This principle is rooted in the belief that creating images of living beings could lead to shirk (Idolatry), which is the gravest sin in Islam. The Hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad) reinforce this idea:

“Those who make these images will be punished on the Day of Resurrection, and it will be said to them, ‘Bring to life what you have created.’”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

As a result, Islamic art and architecture focus on geometric patterns, calligraphy, and abstract forms, emphasizing the purity of design without mimicking nature.