Debate rages on the Catholic Answers Forum Web site

[Maranatha]

Obsessive West takes a spiritual twist

But obviously, whatever the intention, any attempt to liken a pop idol to Jesus Christ will be met with two responses: Religious zealots will spring on their soapboxes, thrilled to have another celebrity target to condemn for their blasphemous actions, while fans of the artist will either shrug and download another song from iTunes or defend the artist for being bold.

Right on cue, the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights pounced first last week, but interestingly, in attacking Rolling Stone as the primary culprit, skewed the hullabaloo toward race, something West himself was guilty of suggesting when he infamously stated that “George Bush doesn’t care about black people” during a Hurricane Katrina benefit.
…
Indeed, a debate rages on the Catholic Answers Forum Web site as to what is really the root of opposers’ complaints – that anyone has the gall to pose as Jesus or that it was a black man who did?

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[emsvetich]

I must have missed something. What debate? Is this guy worth the effort?

 

[Maranatha]

I guess he was referring to the thread Kanye West Poses as Jesus for Rolling Stone Magazine in the Popular media sub-forum.

While the thread received more replies and views then most threads in that sub-forum, I wouldn’t agree that the debate “rages” about the topic. There are other topics that get much more traffic and heated debate.

i though it was interesting that the author probably Googled the topic and took notice of the thread.

 

[Della]

I sent this email to Ms. Ruggieri:

Dear Ms. Ruggieri,

In your article about Kanye West appearing as the suffering Christ on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine you wrote:

“Religious zealots will spring on their soapboxes, thrilled to have another celebrity target to condemn for their blasphemous actions…”

I’m afraid you entirely misunderstand the motives of us “religious zealots.” I, for one, had never heard of this man before and have no interest in his career, nor do I care that he had himself photographed as the suffering Christ. Many an actor has portrayed Jesus in this way. What we object to is his doing it for self-aggrandizement—as a mockery, not to depict any real suffering by anyone, black, white, brown, or whatever.

Think about the fact that if Mr. West had decided to mock Mohammed or a prominent Jewish leader or the Dali Lama there would have been an outcry from all quarters, but since he only mocked the Son of God, we should just suck it up and go along with it. Do you think that’s acceptable behavior in our society which so strongly condemns actions of this kind as intolerant? Are Catholics and Protestants supposed to roll over and play dead when Our God is made a joke of—and by a man whose intention was obviously to do just that?

You also cited: “Indeed, a debate rages on the Catholic Answers Forum Web site as to what is really the root of opposers’ complaints – that anyone has the gall to pose as Jesus or that it was a black man who did?”

I happen to be one of the people you talk about here, although I posted my remarks before the conversation turned to Mr. West’s race. If you read the remarks on the forum you will see that anyone who tried to make a racial issue of it was thoroughly reprimanded, and rightfully so. The Catholic Church encompasses nearly every culture and race on the planet. We are hardly racist as a religion nor do we support any form of racism.

Sincerely,

I have no idea if it will make any difference in her attitude, but at least I “vented my spleen” and spoke up for those of us who don’t find mockery of God amusing.

 

[joeysmom]

Della:

I sent this email to Ms. Ruggieri:

I have no idea if it will make any difference in her attitude, but at least I “vented my spleen” and spoke up for those of us who don’t find mockery of God amusing.

Della, that was a GOOD letter!

 

[bahati]

Do you honestly believe that Kanye is intentionally trying to damage the image of Jesus or attempting to mock any religion?

I have posted on the other thread on this subject as well.

I hope to understand the objection to the photo itself.

I think I understand the objection to the thoughts, words, flaws and actions of the man.

I think the photo itself is beautiful.

Bahati

 

[Peter_Wright]

Woohoo!!! Free publicity!!!

 

[deb1]

I stayed out of the debate because it struck me as silly-no offense meant. Rolling Stones is a secular magazine and can’t be hold to the same standards as a Catholic magazine. Jesus’ image is not so fragile that Kayne West can harm it. Besides the media will turn the debate into one on race and that will just make us look racist.

Kayne West had a song that mentioned Jesus and that is probably the sole reason that he was chosen to portray our savior. It probably isn’t a conscious decision to malign Christianity. This is one of those issues that we should probably let go of.

. The media will not report that our churches are integrated, that we have had African Popes, that the great theologian Saint Augustine was African or that Mary has often appeared to be the race of the people viewing her. No we will just be depicted as a bigoted religion.

 

[deb1]

bahati:

Do you honestly believe that Kanye is intentionally trying to damage the image of Jesus or attempting to mock any religion?

I have posted on the other thread on this subject as well.

I hope to understand the objection to the photo itself.

I think I understand the objection to the thoughts, words, flaws and actions of the man.

I think the photo itself is beautiful.

Bahati

I don’t doubt that the photo is beautiful.

I don’t even know though if the objection is to Kayne West himself, or if perhaps it is more directed at the Rolling Stones. Afterall this is not a magazine that is known to promote Christian morals.

I would certainly prefer Kayne West to represent our savior then Marilyn Manson. Yet, even if they used Marilyn Manson my advice would be the same. Ignore it. It will only sell more magazines to protest and will not win any converts.

 

[bahati]

Thanks.

Bahati

 

[KatieD]

Della, Your letter was terrific - you spoke very well for many of us!

 

[Shoshana]

I, too, am quite touched and impressed by your passioante defense of our beautiful Faith. May God bless you for it! Although I do not receive Rolling Stone…:clapping:

 

[StubbleSpark]

I wonder what they think about the current uproar in Muslim community over the cartoon depiction of the prophet Muhammed?

Wait a sec, I already know:

religious zealots.

How utterly astute, original, and :yawn: zzzzzz…

Sad how the so-called “rebellious” magazines have to whip up the faithful minorities to maintain some semblance of an “edge.”

The joke is on them. The revolution will not be televised. They will just wake up one day bankrupt for being so clueless.