April 14, 2005

Jesus the Pot-Smoking, Flashing Hippie

An Austrian comic book, The Life of Jesus, depicts the Son of God as a pot-smoking hippie who flashes people from a surfboard. The comic is the work of Gerhard Haderer and had been banned in Greece since 2002 thanks to complaints from the Greek Orthodox Church. Haderer had been found guilty of "malicious public blasphemy." Now the ruling has been overturned and the book is again available for sale.

I'm never quite sure what to think about stories like this. There's always the kitsch factor, like the Barbie-sized Jesus doll or the "Jesus is my Homeboy" T-shirts. They're corny, a bit off the wall, and frankly weird. But there's often a pure motivation behind them (OK, maybe not the homeboy shirts), and honestly, I think Jesus has a sense of humor. But Jesus smoking pot? Flashing people? Binge drinking? I think we've gone over the edge.

Of course freedom of speech gives people the right to do that. Just like Mel Gibson has the right to make The Passion of the Christ, Haderer has the right to make The Life of Jesus, whether we agree with it or not. And I think that's one of the cool things about freedom. Sometimes we need to see Jesus in a different light. We need to remember that Jesus became fully human. He faced bullies and the awkwardness of an adolescent voice change and the temptation to get blasted with a stolen wineskin. Let's face it: Jesus farted. Sometimes it's good to see Jesus as more than the holy do-gooder people like to dismiss him as.

But there's also a time for reverence and respect. I think Haderer's pot and nakedness has gone too far, but you know what? I'll let Jesus take care of it. I know who Jesus is, so there's no sense worrying about some guy's goofy comic book. The real Jesus is seen every day in the not-so-common actions of his followers, and that trumps any hippie Christ.

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 08:26 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

April 11, 2005

When Superman Becomes Assigned Reading

In Maryland comics are finding their way into the classroom. Comic books and graphic novels are being used to get students to read. The state-sanctioned lesson plans (the first in the nation) provide lessons for 3rd through 12th grades.

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 09:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 08, 2005

The Incredible Popeman

When I suggested we should learn from the late Pope John Paul II, this wasn't what I had in mind: The Incredible Popeman.

He's a new Colombian comic book starring the late pontiff as a Satan-fighting superhero armed with an anti-devil cape and chastity pants. Popeman takes lessons from Superman and Batman and wields a staff, holy water and communion wine.

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 04:42 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack