Depiction of Jesus and God in the media

mahi · #1 31st October 2009, 08:09 AM

Hi,

I just need some clarifications on some things, to do with God and Jesus as shown in the media.

In many shows, like the Simpsons, you have visual depictions of God. Is this allowed in Christianity, or is it like one of those things that don't matter?

They also show Jesus, is this allowed/the same as above?

Finally, quite a lot of shows mock Jesus and God, specifically to do with Christianity. Do Christians accept this, or this ok, or do you resent it or what? Do you protest against it? I just need some background on these sort of issues.

Thank you!

Supreme · #2 31st October 2009, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by mahi

Hi,

I just need some clarifications on some things, to do with God and Jesus as shown in the media.

In many shows, like the Simpsons, you have visual depictions of God. Is this allowed in Christianity, or is it like one of those things that don't matter?

They also show Jesus, is this allowed/the same as above?

Finally, quite a lot of shows mock Jesus and God, specifically to do with Christianity. Do Christians accept this, or this ok, or do you resent it or what? Do you protest against it? I just need some background on these sort of issues.

Thank you!

Seeing as no one knows what the Father looks like, and can just speculate, I'd rather they didn't show the Father. But it's perfectly fine for them to show Jesus.

I don't mind them mocking Christianity; heck, it's funny a lot of the time, as it can bring home some home truths! I'm a firm believer in free speech, and if someone wants to exercise that right about any religion, I won't resent them for it.

freeport · #3 31st October 2009, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by mahi

Hi,

I just need some clarifications on some things, to do with God and Jesus as shown in the media.

In many shows, like the Simpsons, you have visual depictions of God. Is this allowed in Christianity, or is it like one of those things that don't matter?

They also show Jesus, is this allowed/the same as above?

Finally, quite a lot of shows mock Jesus and God, specifically to do with Christianity. Do Christians accept this, or this ok, or do you resent it or what? Do you protest against it? I just need some background on these sort of issues.

Thank you!

I think God is bigger then some jokes.

As for the taboo against having depictions of anyone, no, we do not have any such taboos. Some surely likely worship idols, but the real idols are false ideas people get about truth.

The people who killed Jesus were not common, salt of the earth people nearly so much as very religious, outwardly "good" people -- and they really led the others who just tagged along. Jesus taught mercy and overlooking faults, compassion.

Sometimes jokes are useful to get people out of 'holier then thou' attitudes.

Jesus taught such people tend to be self-righteous hypocrites.

They consider themselves "good" and so do not consider God alone as being good. We believe no man is good, only God is, and good deeds must come through the Spirit of God indwelling in a person.

For such people are reborn, from Heaven, and are not prone to nonsense such as praying before statues and such, but have the Living God within their hearts forever.

drich0150 · #4 1st November 2009, 05:27 PM

In many shows, like the Simpsons, you have visual depictions of God. Is this allowed in Christianity, or is it like one of those things that don't matter?

In the original ten commandments written to the OT Jews more or less, we are told not to make any image that is supposed to represent God or any other gods.

But as a NT Believer we have no such command.

Truthfully Jesus was reviled and mocked by those who did not believe while He was here, why should we expect anything different in His absents?

This shows or proves the all encompassing forgiveness found, or that was nailed to the cross.

Finally, quite a lot of shows mock Jesus and God, specifically to do with Christianity. Do Christians accept this, or this OK, or do you resent it or what? Do you protest against it? I just need some background on these sort of issues.

Some do, but over all we except what we have been told: to turn the other cheek and forgive as we have been forgiven.

These people, will answer to God, so who are we to exact God wrath for Him? Unless our God didnot have the power to do this on His own. "Vengeance is mine says the Lord!"

Sketcher · #5 1st November 2009, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by mahi

In many shows, like the Simpsons, you have visual depictions of God. Is this allowed in Christianity, or is it like one of those things that don't matter?

They also show Jesus, is this allowed/the same as above?

Showing Jesus is fine, because we believe that he is God incarnate, and because he came in the flesh, it is fine to portray him in a proper way. He came in the flesh and was seen.

Showing the Father, well, we don't know what he really looks like. And he still doesn't want to be seen, as far as I can tell from Scripture.

Showing the Spirit is likewise a challenge. Unless you want to portray him coming upon Jesus in the form of a dove, or show the tongues of fire at Pentecost or at Cornelius' house, I would say it is impossible.

Originally Posted by mahi

Finally, quite a lot of shows mock Jesus and God, specifically to do with Christianity. Do Christians accept this, or this ok, or do you resent it or what? Do you protest against it? I just need some background on these sort of issues.

They do it for attention, and to provoke controversy. Forming angry mobs and so forth gives them more of what they want. Most Christians have figured this out, so we refuse to play their game.

Adoniram · #6 2nd November 2009, 01:38 AM

Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

As another poster stated, those who mock God and Jesus will have to stand before them in judgment. Personally, I find no humor in those types of shows and do not watch them.

zaksmummy · #7 2nd November 2009, 07:14 PM

What has come to annoy me recently is that when casting a person as Jesus in a film they always pick a white, blue/green eyed man with an American accent.

Being as Jesus is Jewish I would like to see a Jewish person cast - but thats just me. I think that many people would have a serious issue with this due to the amount of anti-semetism in the world, so it isnt likely to happen.

Supreme · #8 2nd November 2009, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by zaksmummy

What has come to annoy me recently is that when casting a person as Jesus in a film they always pick a white, blue/green eyed man with an American accent.

Being as Jesus is Jewish I would like to see a Jewish person cast - but thats just me. I think that many people would have a serious issue with this due to the amount of anti-semetism in the world, so it isnt likely to happen.

Or a black Jesus. We have a black President of the US, so why not a black Jesus? It's possible He was black.

Van · #9 2nd November 2009, 08:49 PM

Hi Mahi, is this allowed by Christianity?

Yes, the Bible explicitly tells us not to judge pagans with the Law of Christ. Do I wish they would work harder at telling what we really believe? Yes. Is Christianity about compulsion? No, love does not demand its own way.

May God Bless

rainycity · #10 3rd November 2009, 12:19 AM

Originally Posted by zaksmummy

What has come to annoy me recently is that when casting a person as Jesus in a film they always pick a white, blue/green eyed man with an American accent.

Being as Jesus is Jewish I would like to see a Jewish person cast - but thats just me. I think that many people would have a serious issue with this due to the amount of anti-semetism in the world, so it isnt likely to happen.

well jewish people are white aren't they?