View 2 slides

He Said My Art Had ‘No Spiritual Value’ — All Because I’m Not Christian

I was commissioned to create a stunning piece of Christian art — an ornate cross, a saint, and scripture in calligraphy. The client loved it and paid in full. Then he asked my favorite Bible verse. I told him the truth: I’m not Christian. His smile vanished. He accused me of lying, saying the art had “no spiritual value” because it wasn’t made with “faithful intention.” I explained I create for everyone, but he was furious. Now I’m wondering… should my religion matter if the art is beautiful?

He loved my art — until he learned I’m not Christian.

I make commissioned art for a living. I don’t discriminate — I’ll create almost anything as long as it’s not hateful, bigoted, or disturbing. Recently, I was hired to create a piece featuring Christian imagery: a beautiful ornate cross, a saint, and scripture written in delicate calligraphy.

The client loved it. He paid me, thanked me… and then asked a simple question:

“What’s your favorite scripture?”

I was honest.
“Oh, I don’t really have one — I’m not a Christian, so I wouldn’t really know.”

That’s when everything changed.

He became upset, saying he felt lied to. He told me my work “didn’t hold the same spiritual value” because it wasn’t created with “faithful intention.” He even said he assumed I must be Christian since I’d posted other religious-themed work before.

I explained that I create art for everyone — Christians, Muslims, atheists, you name it. The art is for the client, not me. But he seemed more offended by who made it than by anything about the work itself.

It left me wondering: Do I have to disclose my personal faith before taking a commission? Or should art be judged on the beauty of the work, not the religion of the artist?