Let's chat about Religious...

[Samurai Goomba]

...Architecture! Yeah, gotcha. Anyhow...

As you are no doubt well aware, there are many religions in the world. Also equally obvious is that almost every type of religion has a unique style of architecture associated with said form of worship, particularly with regard to the design of their individual religious monuments. This topic is for discussing the various types of architecture that appeal (or don't) to you personally. You can post pictures (I will in a moment), talk about styles, or anything else you can come up with.

Okay, now that we've addressed that, let's get into some examples! Firstly, you have the Cathedrals, which are primarily Catholic or Anglican in origin (I don't really know the difference. I'm American, be thankful I even know Anglican is/was a religion). These look a bit like this:

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Next, there are Shinto shrines, which hail from Japan (and other places where they practice Shinto). Here you go:

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They even have ghetto versions of these, which look like this:

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Next up are the temples in China, which are put up to honor how awesome Communism is. Wait, no... They're for some religion I don't really know. I think it's a form of Ancestor worship. Eh, I don't know. Here:

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And yet another (finding small enough images to stick in this post is driving me nuts):

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We also have Hindu altars, Christian churches in America (they have a unique architecture as well), Indian burial sites, Incan Temples, Mayan Temples and a great many more! This is where I open the floor up to you. Tell us (or show us) what religious architecture you like most!

Note: This is not a discussion of religion. I don't have any real authority or anything, but please try to stick to the topic. Besides, it's not like there aren't any religious topics out there. Also, I'll be happy to change the title if it becomes a problem.

 

[traceur_]

I quite like the architecture of Buddhist temples, last time I was at one I was straining myself to resist climbing on the buildings.

also the cathedral of christ the light is magnificent. The flooding of light conveys christian symbolism very effectively, love it.

Spoiler: wall of pics

 

[arcainia]

I can't help it, I just love shinto shrines. The really pretty ones are always stuck in the middle of nowhere surrounded by nature, they're calming just to look at.

 

[Ophiuchus]

These guys have got it all right:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bah%C3%A1%27%C3%AD_House_of_Worship

 

[Baby Tea]

I really like the last pic, and the Shinto shrines are very cool. But I also really enjoy the architecture of the old European Cathedrals (Though North America has some very nice ones too, albeit not as old).
Really, any interesting architecture I enjoy. And religious temples and shrines usually have the most interesting.

 

[mokes310]

I think many of the westernized religious buildings are more reflective of their time, and less of their religion. Although they do represent a specific religion, a church built in France in 1200 will look nothing like a church in England built in 1600, etc...

 

[Zephirius]

Religious buildings are typically the most awesome buildings in an area probably because they were made to inspire believers (and intimidate pagans, who knows). Yeah, religious architecture is pretty cool.

 

[YukoValis]

Here is my question. All these people built great wonders while being inspired by different Gods/Goddesses. So wouldn't it be fair to say, maybe it is entirely our work, and not because of some higher power?

 

[the captain]

Finally, a thread about religion that I like. You threw me off with the tag and I was about ready to come in here and tell you to learn how to use the search button. Well done, very good thread sir.

 

[Baby Tea]

Here is my question. All these people built great wonders while being inspired by different Gods/Goddesses. So wouldn't it be fair to say, maybe it is entirely our work, and not because of some higher power?

NO religious talk! This is about the architecture! The OP even said: Not for religious talk!
Yeesh! Just talk about the buildings! We don't want another religious topic! Goto one of the many that are floating around if you want to discuss theology and philosophy.
This is about architecture.

EDIT:
Check this out from Cambodia:

 

[ZeeClone]

I like the mosque in my town.

It's the ground floor & basement of a flat.

It's awesome. Really peaceful.

 

[traceur_]

These guys have got it all right:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bah%C3%A1%27%C3%AD_House_of_Worship

hell yes, the lotus flower and the one shot at night are friggin awesome.

 

[The Infamous Scamola]

I fancy Islamic architecture myself.

 

[arcainia]

Here is my question. All these people built great wonders while being inspired by different Gods/Goddesses. So wouldn't it be fair to say, maybe it is entirely our work, and not because of some higher power?

NO religious talk! This is about the architecture! The OP even said: Not for religious talk!
Yeesh! Just talk about the buildings! We don't want another religious topic! Goto one of the many that are floating around if you want to discuss theology and philosophy.
This is about architecture.

EDIT:
Check this out from Cambodia:

Woah, what is that Tea?

 

[SnowCold]

As a jew, Looking at this makes me jealuse D=

EDIT:

Here is my question. All these people built great wonders while being inspired by different Gods/Goddesses. So wouldn't it be fair to say, maybe it is entirely our work, and not because of some higher power?

Worng place dude, the god bashing thread is three doors to the right.

 

[Brotherofwill]

If you want to see some crazy religion inspired architecture then you should check out Gaudi's "Church of the Holy Family" in Barcelona. I visited some years ago, totally blew me away

 

[Samurai Goomba]

I think many of the westernized religious buildings are more reflective of their time, and less of their religion. Although they do represent a specific religion, a church built in France in 1200 will look nothing like a church in England built in 1600, etc...

That's a really good observation. Kudos, sir.

I don't think it's universally true, though. I suspect that's more of a European thing, like you said. It would be interesting to see what differences there are (if any) between religious buildings built at around the same time periods, but in different European nations (and for different religions). It could just be that they all look similar because the builders in Europe were inspired by Greco-Roman architectural designs and engineering concepts.

 

[Baby Tea]

Check this out from Cambodia:
IMAGE

Woah, what is that Tea?

It appears to be the "Temple of Ta Prohm" in Angkor, Cambodia.
I went to Google Image and searched "Temple" and found this in a slew of other pictures from a website called "Sacred Sites". Pretty cool, actually.

 

[WeedWorm]

I love Gothic architecture. Lots of big archways, flying buttresses and (I think) free standing statues. Cathderals in Catholic countrys (France and Ireland) have loads of them cause they were the Catholic style. Protestants went for a more simplistic style, with with or no decoration. We learned about in history class when doing the Reformation, really interesting stuff.

 

[The Infamous Scamola]

As a jew, Looking at this makes me jealuse D=

Why would you be jealous?