The Value of Art?

I was just reading that the Puritan community in 17th century America looked down upon art because they believed it drew the faithful away from God, and if away from God, then it could only lead to the devil.

What do you think about art? Do you think that art holds any value? If so, to whom and why?

Art (and music) are alternate methods of expression, necessary because words are insufficient to describe some emotions. If art leads people away from God, language (which was created by Man) must be equally dangerous!

Just to be safe, Puritans should shut up.

Quote :

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Nobel Lecture:

Section 5 para 4:

“...literature becomes the living memory of a nation. It sustains within itself and safeguards a nation’s bygone history---in a form which cannot be distorted or falsified. In this way does literature together with language preserve the national soul.”

By Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Nobel Lecture.

substitute Art for literature....we're talking the same thing.

Quote :

Just to be safe, Puritans should shut up.

I'd include anyone who speaks for God, or follows anyone who says he does. I realize I'm not maintaining the level of humor, but what're you gonna do.

Art, according to my veritological studies, is the vehicle for pure subjective Truth. With it we are free from responsibility, morality and gravity, but if we never leave that realm, we cannot maintain our sanity. But art's value is that it works on the emotions and can reach those where reason won't. To quote from V for Vendetta, "Artists use lies to tell the truth, while politicians use them to cover the truth up."