I went to a Chinese art and artifact exhibit at San Cristo church last weekend. On display were some religious posters brought back to Italy from China when Mao came into power and gave the Catholics the boot.
Asian Jesus gave me pause, much like the first time I stumbled upon black Jesus. The Jesus of my youth had blue eyes and flowing blond hair, so even the brown-eyed, black haired Jesus introduction felt a little awkward. ("Wait. This is Jesus, too? Hm.")
Jesus is multicultural and has been for sometime. I wonder, though, when we finally meet beings from other planets will our Catholic friends bring Catholicism to outer worlds via Alien Jesus?
And closer to home, when the time comes that sexual orientation and alternative lifestyles are no longer debatable issues, I look forward to seeing Transvestite Jesus. I'll try not to look surprised.
2 comments:
It's because if you post a picture of an actual 33-year-old Semite from that period who did a lot of traveling (though notably only in Orthodox circles and strongholds), "benevolent appearance" isn't likely to be your first thought.
Image is Everything.
Image is God?
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