Jesus > Superman

[SuperCooper]

How can I put this delicately and precisely?

The gospels make it abundantly clear that Jesus knew in advance that he was headed towards his death, and that he accepted that fate with less struggle than most would. But nowhere is it ever implied that it wasn't a painful or unjust death. In fact, crucifixion is considered one of the most cruel and painful ways to die. It's easy to minimize his suffering if you imagine him to be an all-powerful deity. But to do so misses the point entirely.

If we can learn anything from Jesus or even from Superman, it's that the real measure of power is not in recklessly wielding it, but rather in showing restraint.

"I feel like I live in a world made of cardboard, always taking constant care not to break something, to break someone. Never allowing myself to lose control even for a moment, or someone could die." - Superman in the JLU episode "Destroyer"

I'm not trying to convince anybody of Jesus' supposed 'Godhood.' Actually, I think it would do this world more good to recognize that Jesus was not terribly unique or special, that his unjust death was just one of many; to this day, mankind continues to 'sacrifice' innocent lives. I think his story should spur us to compassion.

But if you really want to ask the God-question, wouldn't it be the ultimate display of humility for an all-powerful God to lower himself to the pain and suffering of a mortal death? Wouldn't that be a true act of compassion (sharing in another's suffering)? Doesn't it show a remarkable amount of mercy to not simply destroy those who want to kill you? I think it's important that we ask ourselves why an omnipotent God might possibly do something like that.

I don't think it's missing the point to imagine him as an all-powerful deity. In fact, isn't he supposed to be viewed as an all-powerful diety?

Also, not sure if it's been mentioned, but Superman's wingman (Bats) is waaaaaaaay better than Jesus' (Pete).

[SuperCooper]

Well, some merchants... And he cursed a tree for all eternity once for being in his way.

Superman loves nature.

[RoyalTailor]

I don't think it's missing the point to imagine him as an all-powerful deity. In fact, isn't he supposed to be viewed as an all-powerful diety?

Also, not sure if it's been mentioned, but Superman's wingman (Bats) is waaaaaaaay better than Jesus' (Pete).

I definitely agree that it's not missing the the point to imagine Superman as an all powerful entity because we all know that Jesus Christ is an all powerful deity; even in the Bible it bears record that God the Father says of Christ "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God" John 13:3.

Also, how in the heck can you say that Batman is better than Jesus? That sounds irreverent and plain wrong.

[Eyeswithoutaface]

Well, he did say he wasn't here to bring peace but to bring the sword, to cast fire upon the earth, to divide families and so on, so uh, yeah, probably.

That's in the context of telling his followers the price of denial instead of acknowledgment of who he is before others to avoid ridicule or persecution. Moreover, he's addressing those who try to conflate world peace with cowardice, hypocrisy, and self-indulgent humility.

[Conan The Barbarian]

I definitely agree that it's not missing the the point to imagine Superman as an all powerful entity because we all know that Jesus Christ is an all powerful deity; even in the Bible it bears record that God the Father says of Christ "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God" John 13:3.

Also, how in the heck can you say that Batman is better than Jesus? That sounds irreverent and plain wrong.

Cause Batman is better than Jesus

[SuperCooper]

Also, how in the heck can you say that Batman is better than Jesus? That sounds irreverent and plain wrong.

I meant Superman's pal, Batman, was better than Jesus' pal, Peter the apostle.

Though Batman is better than Jesus.

[dastef]

True, even if he tried to look like Batman ;)

[Conan The Barbarian]

I meant Superman's pal, Batman, was better than Jesus' pal, Peter the apostle.

Though Batman is better than Jesus.

[Addams]

Also, how in the heck can you say that Batman is better than Jesus? That sounds irreverent and plain wrong.

Batman has an utility bet. And i mighty good one if i may add.

[Mr. Holmes]

I figured this Morrison interview is relevant.

NRAMA: Obviously, this book is the most explicit SF–Christ story since Behold the Man, only...happy. Superman/Christ parallels have existed for decades, but this story makes it absolutely explicit, from laying his hands on the sick and dying to...well, most of issue #12. You’ve dealt with Christ themes before, particularly in The Mystery Play, but outside of the comics, how do you see Superman as a Christ figure for the “real” world?

GM: The “Superman as Christ” thing is a little too reductive for me, and tends to overlook the fact that Superman is by no means a pacifist in the Christ sense. Superman would never turn the other cheek; Superman punches out the bully. Superman is a fighter.

When did Christ ever batter the Devil through a mountain?

The thing I disliked about the Superman Returns movie was the American Christ angle, which reduced Superman to a sniveling, masochistic wreck, crawling around on the floor, taking a kicking from everyone. This approach had an odd and slightly disturbing S&M flavor, which didn’t play well to the character’s strengths at all and seemed to derive entirely from a kind of Catholic vision of the suffering, martyred Jesus.

It’s not that he’s based on Jesus, but simply that a lot of the mythical sun god elements which have been layered onto the Christ story also appear in the story of Superman.
I suppose I see Superman more as pagan sci–fi. He’s a secular messiah, a science redeemer with tough guy muscles and a very direct and clear morality.

[T Hedge Coke]

I figured this Morrison interview is relevant.

Clearly he was on drugs when he said all that, though. Incomprehensible!

Meanwhile, in non-Zibarro-world, I'm suddenly really taken with the idea of substituting Clark Kent for the journalist in Mystery Play. Coat/Cape. I can see it.

And, yeah, Superman's become, in essence, a deliberately-engineered followup to many sun god traditions, redeemers and lamplighters, of which Jesus happens to be one.

[dupersuper]

What a handy pic...