Does it matter what Jesus looked like?

Cmass · Post by **Cmass** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 3:40 am

I did a bit of research this evening concerning what Jesus might have looked like if he had existed as a historical figure and it got me to thinking a bit about the depiction of Jesus and the whole scene back then. There is some recent work that has been done in this area that concludes a rather homely savior:
* A bit over 5' tall, 110lbs, very dark sun dried skin, short & dark wiry hair. All in all, a small, scrappy, gnarly dude. I don't want to debate the science that went into reconstructing Jesus. It was extensive and has not been the basis of great challenge by most Christians.
But ultimately, it should not matter should it? It should only be a matter of curiosity but not really make any difference in our faith.....right? Why then do we - especially in the West - make Jesus in our own image?

The Jesus TV channels do this to the extreme. Last Xmas I watched the story of Joseph & Mary on the local Jesus channel and was happily appalled that Mary looked to be about 5' 10", long, slender shaven legs, long blond hair, clean, pearly white teeth, a perfect figure, high cheek bones and beautiful sparkling blue eyes. She was absolutely hot and no amount of sack-cloth garments could hide it. Same with Joseph (Of Malibu?).
But why? Why not make them more realistic? I have yet to see ONE Chrisitian-made film where the main characters have rotten teeth, scraggly hair, flies buzzing around their unclean backsides. And they all speak proper Elizabeathen English - even though rarely quoting the bible (only words from the bible; what a horrible screenplay that would be!) with American accents and communicate with typical modern gestures and expressions.
Why?

Cathar1950 · Post by **Cathar1950** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 11:06 pm

McCulloch wrote:
Cmass wrote:I don't understand a lick of that, but man, that picture of you sure does look like Jesus!
You've seen Jesus? Tell us about it!

LOL
I was going to say that.

Cmass · Post by **Cmass** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 11:41 pm

Jesus knew you were going to say that - that is why he had me say it first.

Cathar1950 · Post by **Cathar1950** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 11:51 pm

If I recall Jesus had some African in him and probably looked like a dark Palestinian.

Cmass · Post by **Cmass** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 12:40 am

I started this thread after recalling an article in Discover magazine about this a while back. I am surprised it has not yet been posted. But, alas, here is Jesus. If he existed as a historical figure, this is most likely what your savior looked like:

A part of the accompanying article:
The result is shown in the portrait above: a person with a broad peasant's face, dark olive skin, short curly hair and a prominent nose. His height would have been on the order of 5' 1"; he would have weighed about 110 pounds. Alison Galloway, professor of anthropology at the University of California in Santa Cruz , said that: "This [portrait] is probably a lot closer to the truth than the work of many great masters."

And this is what Jesus Inc. is selling. Who are you going to believe, Jesus Inc. or those pesky scientists who just can't leave well enough alone!:

Upon edit, I just noticed something: Why the hell is Jesus wearing a cross?

Cmass · Post by **Cmass** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 1:00 am

BTW: My wife (& fellow atheist) loves to take me on in debate. She is one of the most intelligent, articulate people I know and will take me on just to toy with my pea brain intellect. This evening she offered her services on this debate & was able to very quickly claim "check mate" and get back to her herbal tea.
I will not reveal her argument because I have yet to hear a very strong one in this forum.

Cathar1950 · Post by **Cathar1950** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 1:05 am

What was the argument about?
I might take her side.

Cmass · Post by **Cmass** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 1:36 am

I let her read this thread & she shook her head and said "you're on" and then proceded to kick my butt.
I will not reveal her argument because I have yet to hear a very strong one in this forum.

wizanda · Post by **wizanda** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 3:16 am

Welll according to my own refrences he has a stronger nose then me, we met in a vision you see and spent the night talking on log next to the sea of Galilee, one of them really clear visions where it feels like you are watching TV...
Now though we are brothers and I do have his new name; which many are saying across the net in the form of Sananda = (form of yoga not a name), it is as Revelations puts things; we are given these looks and given this name.
Yet as me say expectations are a dangerous thing.... especially when people look in the wrong places for heaven already, in a world of EGO and fallen...

Heaven is Oneness

Cathar1950 · Post by **Cathar1950** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 3:37 am

We tend to make God in our image.
The quest for the historical Jesus always found their own reflections.
After reading the posts by wizanda I have to go with your wife Cmass and I agree with whatever she said.

Cathar1950 · Post by **Cathar1950** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 3:47 am

I can figure out how to get a picture of me on here.