I can appreciate art forms that had/have their basis in religion the old stuff that has survived is not monstrous and boring, newer stuff yeah. By the same token there is some non religious art I find both monstrous and boring

Artists take their inspiration from what is around them ... and they are paid by people with an excess of money .... for most of history the church and aristocrats were the major fundholders commisioning art, so of course much of what was produced has a religious context.
Personally I have no problem dissociating the artistic beauty from the religions for which it was created.... and the world is a better place for their architecture, artworks and music.

I have no problem with religious art or music if it gets you moving and inspired. In this case it is the messenger not the message. Good music is an emotionally good experience.

Interesting choice of words - saving grace - as the central “work of art” coming from authentic Christianity is the allegory of salvation. It’s unfortunate that it has been so misinterpreted and corrupted for so long that intelligent people can’t bear to look at it.
So we look at the architecture instead.

Being an art lover and atheist are not mutually exclusive. I have been an atheist since age 13.

At age 15, my parents took us four kids to Europe on an art tour. In Rome, I fell in love with "The Pieta" by Michaelangelo. Stood transfixed, drinking in the gorgeous marble folds, the exquisite pain on Mary's face and the beautiful composition.

As an artist, Michaelangelo depended on the wealth of the Catholic Church and the favor of popes to finance his marble sculptures. He was forced to depict religious symbols.

When rich families like the Medici commissioned Michaelangelo's art, he produced non-religious sculptures such as "Dawn and Dusk."

Expressions of art are beautiful, meaningful and uplifting, but only to those who have been immersed in a piece’s particular symbolism. As a child I was immersed in classical music because my sister was taking piano lessons, and I immersed myself into country music by listening to the radio. As a country boy I was very receptive and understood country music’s subject matter.

Here’s a country song that I especially like. Even if you don’t like country music, the warm smiles say a lot, and this is no ordinary fiddling, let me tell you.

Because songs about cheating & drinking are so religious? In those documentary bits, the narrator pays lip service to "gospel" but the featured songs, and the lives of their performers, are anything but.....

Art, music from religion all very beautiful.

Ancient Religious art is often most beautiful in the arts.
Today Religious in the arts, like in music rock bands
Is about the worst kind of copycats junk on the market and lacking soul.