adminToday, in Christian households and churches, identical images are found, the owners obviously unaware that they have on their walls, an image that symbolises both the Jesus Christ doctrine and sun worshipping.
Imagery in religion is a controversial area.
Early translations of the bible into English were done by white people, and the stereotypical representation of Jesus Christ perpetuated by the early Christians is of a tall, bearded young, blond white man in white robes.
Most pre-modern era Christian paintings with depictions of Jesus Christ were created in Europe, by Europeans and show a white man in robes as the Saviour. Movies such as Mel Gibson’s 2004 epic, Passion of the Christ have helped accentuate this image.
Should Christians believe Jesus looked a lot like Jim Caviezel, the lead actor in the movie? Given that just about all the events described in the bible took place in the Middle East and Africa, it is highly unlikely that Jesus Christ was a white man.
An image of a white Jesus on a cross, signifying the crucifixion has been reproduced as necklaces worn by devotees all over the world. Simply putting it on as a way to remember the biggest event in the Bible
cannot be a problem. But incorporating an image that is historically incorrect in religious rituals such as praying and meditating may be a bad practice.
I have noticed several people insisting that they pray facing the image of either the white Jesus, on the wall or on jewellery or the man with a halo around the face and wondered if their prayers would be answered.
Religion is driven by faith and it stresses that whoever believes will not be forsaken. However, believing in a “make believe” image created by one race as a way to “enlighten” the entire world is questionable.
There are contrasts between depictions on Jesus and those of the Muslim prophet Muhammad. The Muslim religion bestows the highest form of respect on the Prophet Muhammad, whom they see as the messenger of God. Depiction of the prophet in any form is not permitted. In Islamic movies, for example, not only is he not shown in human form, but his voice is also not depicted.
Showing the prophet in any form is considered a sign of disrespect and contempt towards the Muslim religion. Non-depictions of the Muslim prophet arguably aid his followers to religiously follow his word without worrying about what he looked like.
An off-shoot of Christianity, Rastafari, provides interesting imagery that its followers identify with.
The religion identifies Ethiopia’s last emperor, Haile Selassie is viewed as the messiah who will lead the people of Africa and the African Diaspora to freedom.
His official titles are Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah and King of Kings and Elect of God, and his traditional lineage is thought to be from Solomon and Sheba.
These notions are perceived by Rastafarians as confirmation of the return of the messiah in the prophetic Book of Revelation in the New Testament: King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, and Root of David. Rastafari put faith in the incarnate divinity of Haile Selassie.
Images related to the movement include pictures of the emperor juxtaposed with that of a lion. Another image related to this is a logo of a lion holding a flag with red, gold and green stripes, the official colours of the religion.
In recent times, the treatment given to Haile Selassie imagery has also been given to the late musician, Bob Marley. No one doubts that Marley was a great artiste, a pioneer and chief architect of reggae music who continues to influence others even outside his realm.
But he is not God and treating his image in the same way as one considered to be divine could be blasphemous even for a religion understood by so few people.
Imagery helps to provide a context and bring past events to life. They should be treated only as compliments to religious doctrines and not a vital part of it, unless the images are proved to be authentic depictions of what the word accompanying them talks about.
l Knowledge Mushohwe is a graphic designer for The Herald and editorial cartoonist for H-Metro.
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