PeaceBang

There’s Always the Dancing Brown Jesus!

January 13, 2005 on 2:54 am | In Cultural Commentary, Theological Reflection |

In “Does God Matter? A Social-Science Critique” by Paul Froese and Christopher Bader, they report that “…nearly everyone, at least in the United States, purports to believe in God. Still, it remains unclear what people mean by ‘God.’ … Clearly, an individual who views God as an abstract, cosmic force and an individual who views God as a bearded white man sitting in the clouds propose distinct religious worldviews.” — (Harvard Divinity Bulletin, Vol.32, Number 4)

Hey fellas, do you really think that anyone really views God as a bearded white man sitting in the clouds? Maybe it’s just me, but that seems to be a really lazy cliche that isn’t exactly contributing to our understanding of orthodoxy in this nation.

I’m afraid, actually, that a lot of people see God as “Buddy Jesus,” with long Breck-girl hair, great teeth and a perfect complexion and a kind of self-esteem guru bounciness. On second thought, I’ll take the crotchety old guy on the cloud.