For Schools · teacher briefing
Why there's no picture of God
For Schools · Why there's no picture of God
KS2–KS3 10-minute briefing
Key facts
- Islam: “There is nothing like Him” (42:11); no image of God, and no image of any prophet.
- Judaism: the second commandment (Exodus 20:4); synagogues have no image of God.
- Christianity: views differ. Orthodox and Catholic Christians honour icons of Christ and the saints; many Protestant churches have none; most Christians do not picture God the Father.
How do we know?
Activity: look at Islamic geometric patterns and calligraphy as ways of pointing beyond what can be drawn.
Take care
Avoid suggesting Christians are wrong to use icons, or that Muslims are “against art”.