The Last Airbender

In anticipation of the live action movie The Last Airbender, my wife and I have been watching the cartoon series Avatar: The Last Airbender.  It's a pretty neat cartoon.

Avatar: The Last Airbender follows the adventures of Aang, the last Airbender (someone who can manipulate air).  Aang's quest is to master all four elements (Water, Earth, Fire, Air; only the Avatar can master all four) and put an end to a 100 year war started by the Fire Nation.  At any time, there can only be one Avatar.

My wife and I just finished the first part of the series, which details Aang's adventures to the North Pole to learn Waterbending.  He is accompanied by Katara, a Waterbender from the South Pole, and her brother, Sokka.  On their journey, they are hunted by the Fire Nation.

I've really enjoyed watching this series, but I do have to add, this series was influenced by Eastern Philosophy (it is a blending of Indian, Chinese, and Japanese).  Reincarnation is a theme as the Avatar is reincarnated.  Spirits also play a role in the series.  The Water Tribe, for example, worships the Ocean and Moon spirits (Waterbenders are stronger at night).  The Avatar is a bridge between the natural world and the spirit world.  That aside, the series does try to bring in a moral lesson in each episode (don't lie, don't steal, etc.) 

I have been fairly impressed with the series so far.  I'm looking forward to watching the other two parts of the series.  I'm also looking forward to seeing the movie, which opens on July 1st (I'm going on July 5th).

Jesus Cartoon=Blasphemy?

The potential thought of having modern day Jesus Christ star in his own cartoon is offensive to some Christians.

The newly formed Citizens Against Religious Bigotry said Thursday that it believes the "JC" series would be offensive. They accuse Comedy Central of a double standard in mocking Christian figures and beliefs while recently refusing to let "South Park" depict the Prophet Muhammad for fear of offending Muslims. (from the Huffington Post)

Brent Bozell of Citizens Against Religious Bigotry (CARB) had this to say:

After we reveal the vile and offensive nature of Comedy Central's previous characterizations of Jesus Chris and God the Father, we expect these advertisers to agree wholeheartedly to end their advertising on Comedy Central and discontinue their support for unabashed, anti-Christian discrimination...Why should they be supporting a business that makes a habit of attacking Christianity and yet has a formal policy to censor anything considered offensive to followers of Islam? This double standard is pure bigotry, one from which advertisers should quickly shy away. (from ABC News)

But here's my question: Why now? There seems to be some fundamental flaws with their argument. The Jesus character is not new to Comedy Central as South Park has Jesus as one of the characters. Why pick this fight now, with "JC" and not when Jesus first appeared on South Park? It makes no sense to me.

It should also be pointed out that "JC" is only being developed at this point. The series has not been given the green light, so it is quite possible it could die before it even makes it to a television near you.

As for offending someone with a depiction of Christ, I also think that ship has sailed. Again, why now?

Most churches I know of have a Jesus depicted somewhere in their building. Chances are the depiction is of a white man, with flowing brown hair and a freshly trimmed beard...something like this:



Chances are Jesus looked nothing like that. So before we go out and say other depictions of Christ are offensive, let's take a long, hard look at the depictions in our own churches.

Also, last I checked, there is this little thing called the First Amendment...you know, freedom of speech. It's been my experience that conservative Christians and conservative Christian groups like CARB have a love/hate relationship with the First Amendment. They love when it applies to them, and hate when it applies to others.

St. Paul writes,

But we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. (1 Corinthians 1:23)

Yes, the message of the cross is offensive. So, if we were to apply this line of logic to ourselves (banning the offensive) then we should stop preaching the Gospel. I'm not advocating that. And I don't think anyone from CARB would advocate that either. But to protest something that might be offensive (JC) and then turn around and preach something that is offensive (the Gospel) is hypocritical.

As a Christian, I don't care one way or another about this. It's not even on my radar...probably because I do not get Comedy Central. Do I think Comedy Central should allowed to do this show if they want? Absolutely. Will I watch it? Absolutely not. I think that this is the response we need...not create a controversy around the show.

Other Posts:

• Jesus Cartoon Coming to Comedy Central | Scotteriology
• Hey, Maybe Christians Should Declare Jihad Against Comedy Central. If the Muslims Can, Why Can't We? | Zwinglius Redivivus
• Comedy Central considers cartoon series about Jesus Christ | The Church of Jesus Christ
• Comedy Central: No to Muhammad -- But Yes! to Jesus | The Washington Post
• If Christians Were Like Radical Muslims... | Zwinglius Redivivus
• Religious Leaders Unite Against Planned Jesus Cartoon | ABC News