Jesus depicted as a white man
Many experts believe Jesus actually had dark skin, a stark contrast to the Eurocentric, white-skinned version we often see often portrayed.

Forget the fair-skinned, blue-eyed man that still adorns many stained glass windows in altars, churches, and museums across North America and Europe.

Jesus was most likely a Palestinian man with dark skin.

That's according to some high-profile theological scholars, like Robyn Whitaker at the University of Divinity. Although there is no precise physical description of him in the Bible, geographic and sociological evidence suggests that the historical Jesus the one who was executed by the Roman State in the first century CE was a brown-skinned Middle Eastern man.

This interpretation is a stark contrast to the Eurocentric, white-skinned version of Jesus so often depicted in the media (perhaps most famously by Irish-American actor Jim Caviezel in Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ.)

Finding Comfort in the Familiar

In fairness, Christians around the world have long chosen to depict Jesus in a way that mirrors their own faces and complexions. That's why Jesus is more Hispanic looking in Latin America, typically white-skinned in Europe, and sometimes even black within some African American religious circles.

But when these boundaries are crossed for the first time, it can prove a real shock.

"The first time I saw images of a black Christ it was shocking. It was like, 'How dare they!'" says Dr. George Yancy, who edited a collection of essays about race, Christianity and the psychological need of some black Americans to see Christ in his more comforting white-washed persona. "But when you've seen a white Jesus all your life you think that can be the only acceptable image."

Painting of black Jesus

Debate Rages On

Despite many papers and lectures dedicated to the subject, scholars continue to debate just how dark Jesus of Nazareth's skin really was.

Princeton biblical scholar James Charlesworth believes Jesus was "most likely dark brown and sun-tanned." Theologian James Cone, meanwhile, once famously wrote that "whether whites want to hear it or not, Christ is black, baby, with all of the features which are so detestable to white society."

But others insist that Jesus really was white or at least close to it. This group argues that he was born Jewish, and therefore would have appeared more white than anything else. In fact, Rabbi Abraham Cooper, an associate at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, believes that calling Christ a Palestinian is a "grotesque insult to Jesus born in the land of Israel and to Christianity."

"Palestine was a name made up by Romans after they crucified thousands, destroyed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and exiled the People of Israel from their homeland," Cooper said.

Looking to History for Clues

Shades of color aside, it's widely agreed the earliest depictions of a Middle-Eastern Jesus were likely more accurate than the Byzantine white-skin-beard-and-hair-parted-down-the-middle rendition that eventually became the standard from the sixth century on.

"The ugly truth which never even occurs to most Americans is that Jesus looked a lot more like an Iraqi, like an Afghani, like a Palestinian, like an Arab, than any of the paintings which grace the walls of American churches from sea to shining sea," writes Jehanzeb Dar in an essay arguing that Yeshua (Jesus' Aramaic name) was in fact Palestinian.

But Dar tries to make a larger point, too: that despite their Middle Eastern origins, Christianity and Judaism are never considered "foreign religions" the way Islam is. "Affirming Jesus as a native Middle Eastern person enables Christians to understand that the mind and message of Jesus arises from the same earth as have the traditions of their Jewish and Muslim sisters and brothers," he writes.

In other words, the idea that Jesus might have been Palestinian goes way beyond his skin tone it strikes at the heart of modern-day religious conflict in Western countries.

230 comments

  1. Laurie Cleveland's Avatar Laurie Cleveland

    Oh lord Lionheart, I have no idea who was subject to your teaching, but Yeshua was a Nazarene, and many of these did have red or Auburn or even shades of blonde hair. Eye color also ran the gamut. You are good at quoting Scripture, but remember this, which is why the thread should have ended before now, but I need to remind you that The Holy Bible has been re-written and so much taken out to keep the masses ignorant, it is a breath of fresh air to finally see the truth coming out. Took them long enough, but this also has been foretold. Pax!

    1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

      So Laurie, do you think his genetic features took after his mom, or his mythical celestial dad?

      ?❤️

  1. Herman R Taliaferro's Avatar Herman R Taliaferro

    He has the brown skin bcuz he's the remake of the first CHRIST JESUS, THE SON OF MAN, REPLICATION OF THE 2ND ADAM, as to why, THOMAS doubted. LESS, THIS JESUS WAS JESUS CHRIST. THEN, THE REPLICATION OF ADAM#1, THE FIRST ADAM, FEMALE. YOU didn't SEE, READ OR HEAR.

    1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

      Thank you for your very uneducated statement. Please be well, and stay off anything that isn't prescribed by a qualified physician.

      ?❤️

  1. M's Avatar M

    Just because many of the curent residents in jerlusulum 2000 and more years ago were darker skins Palestinians dies not mean that the Jewish people were dark skinned. In fact accordind to tribal talkers Joseph of many colors coat was in fact blinde hair and acording to the tablets if enki. Moses was fair and light. According to the bible his Mother Mary was fair that mean light skinned, blonde and blue eyes. Jesus was from the dna of MARY And accirdibg to the bible, no earthy father so he had only MARY'S DNA so he had to also hav a been fair. Many Jews were light. And the sect of jews that Jesus and Mary were from were known as the Essenes. And they lived in Galilee where the gentiles. So they were not dark skinned. Rhe essenes have records if this. In addition. I recently read an article. I believed it may had been on coast to coast where this guy explored the ruins Nebercanzer temple and found the Holy Grail in which the ten commandments's temple walls are kept. He said it was below where Jesus was crucified. Supposedly some of Jesus's blood flowws down and soul the rocks. Some id his blood seeped down into the cracks. Which was benefit the holy grail. He took some blood stained ricks and had it analyzed. It was definitely human blood with only 23 chromosomes. And there was only one man know in absolute because if the history of writing that it could only be Jesus's. So that means he had only Marys DNA 23. And she was fair. According tribal talkers Joseph of many color coat who was related to king David, Joseph was blonde. According to the tablets of enjoy Moses was light and. Abraham's son Jacobs twin brother had red hair. Just because there were palistinans in Jerusalem at the tume Jesus existed diesnt mean all inhabitants were all dark skinned.

  1. Laurie Cleveland's Avatar Laurie Cleveland

    Hi Jason! It is good to laugh at yourself. I do it all the time. I understand about people who promulgate one thing and do another. I have a hard time with this myself. I was raised protestant between the Congregational Church and the good old Southern Baptist Church/ While the former didn't tell you to go out and preach The Good Word, the Baptists did and I had a lot of trouble with that one because, even then, I felt that everybody was entitled to their own opinions and religion and that religion is a personal thing. I was accused of trying to convert a patient to become Wiccan. First of all, we dont' convert anybody. Secondly, if you want to become one, then you need to find a group willing to accept you and every step is a year and a day and it takes a minimum of 3 years and 3 days to become a Priestess, more to be a High Priestess, which I am. The requirements are tough. I am an Eclectic Wiccan because, not only do I take from other pathways, I take from other religions. Truth is truth. It's when you take it out of context that the problems begin. Anybody who is rabid anything is a problem. I don't care what the religion or belief is, they are problems. But because Wiccans and other Pagans for that matter, understand not only that Love Is the Law, we also believe in what you put out, you get back x 3. That puts the responsibility right on the person. Then there is do what you wilt, but harm none. I think that ought to be put in big letters so that everybody can see it, because it is important. We started talking about Yeshua being Palastinian. Palastine was the name given to that region since the crusades. Yeshua was a Nazarene and Palastinian. He was also Jewish and a Carpenter and I'm sure his father gave him more than one whack across the butt when he was small, lol. But what he looked like is so unimportant. It was his message of Love one another as you would yourself or your mother or your father, etc. That's a hard thing to do. I would rather live my religion and show people how caring that I am and that I am a decent person, not some Hollywood idea of witches (although I do love frogs, German Shepherds, Flamingos and horses, lol), that is what needs to be put out there to heal this fractured world we live in. Nobody has to dominate another. No one religion has to be the one in charge. Everybody is entitled to their interpretation of their creed so long as it doesn't HARM another person.

  1. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

    WRONG! JEWISH MAY REFER TO: A religion, a race (ethnicity), a region, a community, a shared cultural experience. existence and way of life, a state of mind, and/or a stupid excuse to perpetrate over 6,000 years against a people wholly undeserving of such treatment... and, a group of people far smarter and more successful that you!

    Anti-semitism IS a thing... And, I suspect that you, sir, are precisely that!

    Shalom, Mother F'r

    1. Laurie Cleveland's Avatar Laurie Cleveland

      Jason, I was going to get out of this thread, mainly because of all the terrible rhetoric that has been going on. I'm not exactly to whom you are speaking to, but clearly it's somebody who doesn't know the difference between the religion and the people. The Hassidic Jews are their own little group of people and because it is so small, the gene pool, of course, is small and that is where you get these genetic problems; however, just for the sake of argument, I visited their community when looking for a place to get some food in NY and they are all shapes, sizes, hair color, eye color, etc., so there goes that theory, lol. I don't agree with just wiping somebody off the face of the earth and condemn everybody for the sake of a few. George Soros is trying yet gain to get a Muslim in as Govenor of MI as well as a presidential hopeful, only this guy is Shi'ite. Not good. Not good at all. It is these puppet players behind the scenes that do these things for their own amusement are the real problems. No as for your lalst comment, before the last comment, regarding witches, or as we prefer to be called, Wiccans, which have all sorts of pathways, just like any other so-called mainstream religion. I became an Eclectic Wiccan because I don't follow any pathway. Actually, it was the only one that made any sense to me. I borrow truths from a lot of different religions, because, with the exception of the atheists, which believe in nothing and the Satanists, which you didn't mention, but, well, let's not go there, all religions come from the IAM. They arae merely faces of the same goddess/god. I believe that it is like what did Yeshua really look like? We got all of this discussion, which I question anyway, but who cares what he looks like and who cares what somebody believes in so long as there is truth to it. I don't believe in the crock that woman was made out of Adam's rib. I do believe that if mankiind was made in His/Her own image, then both men and women are equal and need to be treated as such. That is where a lot of religions diverge. Afterall, in the beginning of The Bible, it says in Genesis: In the beginning, there was the void. The void is lfeminine. It contains all the possibilites that there are. It is akin to a woman's womb. God used this to create earth and every living thing on it as well as mankind, who, after getting himself kicked out of the Garden of Eden, has been trying to annilate each other ever since!

      1. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

        Hello Laurie... (FLAMETHROWER SET TO OFF) friend... I see from this post of yours that we are much more alike than we are different. I do respect wikkans... I know that your group has been unfairly oppresssed for centuries, too! My posts to the contrary were just some silly joking and steam venting (and, quite possibly some ill-advised stoned typing... lol)

        I mean no-one true offense (though I do like to give good natured jabs where said jabs are well deserved... like calling Christians hypocrites... lol)

        I hope you were not offended... All meant in good fun. I mock myself more that anyone else... (if you knew me you would say that self mocking was very much deserved!! lol)

        Peace, my friend!

      2. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

        PPS: re: "I’m not exactly to whom you are speaking to" lol AGREED!! I am not sure either... I don't know what happened, but that post was supposed to be a reply to the dude who said (essentially) that the term 'jewish' meant one very specific thing only... And, I was trying to say that the term actually means many different things to different people...

        Peace , my friend! J+F

  1. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

    Jews:
    -Love them, protect them, treasure them.

    Christians, Diests, Agnostics, Liberation theology, : -Tolerate them, join them, respect them.

    Catholics, Eastern Orthodox: -Suspect & Monitor them, fine them, register them (eg. Meagan's law - as needed)

    Muslims: -Investigate them, prosecute them....Kill them... Let god sort them out.

    Witches, hindus, mormons, buddhists, 7th day adventists, Atheists, and Scientologists, TV preachers, Occultists, Quakers, Snake Handlers, etc :
    -Mock them, pity them, ignore them.

  1. King's Avatar King

    Until Jews and Muslims figure out they are the exact same race of people this will never end. Jesus was obviously Iraqi looking. I mean this isn't even debatable.

    1. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

      F the Muzzies!
      Judaism is truly a religion of Peace. Islam, however, is a religion of Piece: A piece of you here and a piece of you over there!!!

      . LOL

      Thanks to Bill Maher and HBO's "Real Time."

  1. Don Michael Stewart's Avatar Don Michael Stewart

    Jesua was born a jew, also with a samaritan back ground, by Rahab and Ruth. But I've come to learn that non of that matters. What matters is the here and now. Jesus still lives. And He is Spirit not flesh. How does scripture describe the Spirit, He is described as light. Also Jesus has been described in the Spirit as light brighter than the sun. I've even seen Him in a dream. And He is as described, shoulder length hair whiter than snow, fiery red eyes. Hes robe whiter than anything on earth. And His Spirit shun brighter than the sun. Nevertheless according to scripture, thus says the Lord our God and Father, you shall not make any graven image of anything in Heaven or earth or anything that dwells within them, nor shall you worship them. A persons imagination draws up all kinds of conclusions of what our Lord looks like. This is not good. And for His children to argue over such matters is even worse.

  1. SHAUN's Avatar SHAUN

    HE WASNT WHITE AND HE CERTAINLY WASNT BLACK .. HE WOULD HAVE BEEN ARAB LOOKING...FOR CRYING OUT ITS OBVIOUS ISNT IT??

    1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

      It all depends on what you want to believe Shaun. Was his dad (god) Arab looking? What color of skin did his dad have? What color eyes did his dad have? Does god have DNA, if so, did he take after gods parents, or grandparents? ?.

      Some might find my comments silly, but in my opinion, so is religion, and the associated comments that go with it. It’s a fun topic though isn’t it?

      ?❤️

  1. Rosa Smith's Avatar Rosa Smith

    Hello. Jesus comes to me via a bright light. I believe he was sent to keep us loving our brothers and sisters. I drew a pic of myself one day. I am white with Te Maori in me. So I coloured myself brown. I cried. To me God is that something huge that created all, yes even the devil. This conception of God helps me to cope with a lot of life. Yours thankfully Rosa X

  1. Fenix O'Dell's Avatar Fenix O'Dell

    I absolutely love this because it is a perfect example of focusing on the wrong aspect, when we are discussing a figure like Jesus, well maybe its only me, but it does not matter what the color of his skin was, only who he was and what he did and taught. He could have been white as snow, black as coal, or anything in between and it would not change my opinion on him. That is why I fully support however people want to view him in any color, cause the message is still the same. I also apply this to my interactions in this world, skin color does not make the person its just a part of who they are, and I would hope that I will always treat people the same regardless of the color of their skin. Thank you for reading and Bright blessings to you!

  1. dvaunhowe's Avatar dvaunhowe

    Well, the value in a discussion can be measured by change. My gratitude is sincere.

  1. Hank Stanco's Avatar Hank Stanco

    Your posts and comments say differently.

  1. Donna's Avatar Donna

    And where does Lilith fall in that equation?

  1. John Deaux's Avatar John Deaux

    There's always someone trying to change history because reality doesn't suit them. Jesus was and always will be Jewish.

    1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

      But what is reality John: Adam & Eve?

      ?❤️

      1. John Deaux's Avatar John Deaux

        This article is not about Adam and Eve, try to keep up with the subject.

        1. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

          DOOH! Well, that comment went right over your head! LOL His comment was not about Adam and Eve, try to learn to read subtext!

          1. John Deaux's Avatar John Deaux

            Since I find it contributes nothing to any of the conversations I generally choose to just ignore it. Subtext or otherwise.

          2. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

            Okay, so to stay on topic, did Jesus have more characteristic traits of his dad? And if he did, it's possible he didn't look anything like those of his culture. The question is: Who really was his dad?

            If he really was from an immaculate conception, and no sex was involved, he wouldn't have any paternal DNA from his dad. He would only have mitochondrial DNA from his mom. Genetically, I'm thinking that's a real problem.

            I know it might seem a silly question, or statement, but then again, so is the whole immaculate conception things isn't it? I guess as long as Joseph bought the story, that's all that mattered, to save his relationship with Mary.

            ?♥️

          3. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

            John Deaux at May 7, 2019 at 2:07 pm said: "Since I find it contributes nothing to any of the conversations I generally choose to just ignore it."

            Translates as "I am Intentionally missing the point." OK. Most people find Intentional ignorance to be a huge self inflicted handicap.... definitionaly less than brilliant.

    2. Hank Stanco's Avatar Hank Stanco

      The reality is that Jesus was Jewish. This story and it’s comments aren’t about anything else Lion. Spewing your hatred for Christians again.

      1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

        You are wrong again Hank. I have no hatred for Christians. Many of my friends are Christians, Pagan, and Jewish. I love them all.

        ?❤️

        1. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

          Shalom!

  1. Reb TK's Avatar Reb TK

    I am Jewish. "Jesus" was Jewish. Period. Jesus was not a Christian, he was Jewish, be it in an apocryphal sense. It's all been said: gay, straight, black, white, plaid...all kinds of things ... we only assign attributes that we agree with. It's like suspecting your next door neighbor smokes pot like you do, but you don't really know... The truth: we will never know what the man looked like, how the man self-identified, racially or otherwise, how smart he was, whether he could read or write, or whether he had sex with anyone male or female or in between, or had babies...or for that matter, what his favorite foods were (and I'll bet it wasn't passover matzo, because I don't like it either) or whether , as a child, he was naughty and had tantrums, or had problems toileting timely, and his mama had to spank his bottom from time to time when he was being a brat.... I'm not sure what the big problem is, but: we might take a clue from how peoples from the same areas identify today, for example, many Middle Easterners including those of Persian, Assyrian, Egyptian, and many other descents identify as "Caucasian," a term with a much broader reference than simply Euro white/non-white...

    But I have sometimes wondered... if the body of Jesus were found today... what would that mean... or would it mean anything, since what he preached is as profound as many other teachers? tk

    1. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

      Nobody likes Matzo!

    2. Laurie Cleveland's Avatar Laurie Cleveland

      Rob, I love your sense of humor! ROFLMAO

      1. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

        I very much doubt you were rolling on the floor, Laurie. I am disturbed by your tendency to lie for no reason when there is no reason to do so. A few years of intensive work with a good therapist to find and address your the causes of your pathologies might yield positive, life-changing results for you, Laurie...

        LOL

        Peace!

        PS: Its just... SATIRE! lol

        1. Laurie Cleveland's Avatar Laurie Cleveland

          Satire, you may call it, but I call it something entirely different. I do not lie. It isn't in my make-up to do so and I can get pretty PO'd for anybody who calls me one. I'm at the age where I simply will not put up with this "satire." I've been the brunt of too many people's baloney. I don't need a therapist and I have all my marbles.

          1. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

            EVERYBODY lies. Life in a society would be unmanageable if one was 100% truthful...

            Interestingly, THE BIGGEST LIARS OF ALL are those liars who claim that do not lie.

            sO, laurie, thou art not just a liar (like the rest of us) but that ever so much more scary liar - a liar the believes their own lies!

            SHAME! ... shame!! ... SHAME!!!

            PS: This was NOT satire. this was an intervention!

    3. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

      We just need something to talk about, and they don't let us pick and choose.

  1. Laurie Cleveland's Avatar Laurie Cleveland

    Oh for heaven's sake! Yeshua did indeed live. For the person who said that he was a Jew, that's a duh! However, he was also a Nazarene and they did have blonde or red hair and blue or green eyes in addition to the traditional Jew. Heck, does every Jewish person have dark hair and eyes? They do not. It's a stupid argument because it is His message of unconditional love that is important. So Dawn, you can get down from your soap box at this point in time. Lionheart, you and I have mixed it up in the past and we agreed PAX! But, I can tell you about the afterlife. I can say definitely that there are a finite number of stars, solar systems and plants and it all ends in Heaven. It is a place. I was taken there by an angel when I was around 8 years of age. I am now 65. To even remember something like that had to have made a big impression. He did not believe as a traditional Jew. He wasn't a hell, fire and brimstone sort of man. Whether or not there was a true reserection or not is still up for debate, but just because it doesn't fall into anybody's box, so to speak, doesn't mean that Yeshua didn't exist and that he was a true prophet of God. He spent a lot of time with the Essenes, who had an entirely different outlook. His wife, Mary Magaldene was supposed to continue His Church, but Peter who was somewhat of a misgynist, got the upper hand. He was no saint.

  1. Dawn Pisturino's Avatar Dawn Pisturino

    Jesus was Jewish, and His message grew out of the Jewish religion. He was probably darker skinned with brown hair and eyes. What does it matter what color he was? It's His message that's important.

  1. Bill Huffman's Avatar Bill Huffman

    Is it 'ok' If I don't care? I love Jesus. I don't care what He looked like, I'll see Him soon enough. Apparently, He loves me without regard to my complexion (I'm a half-breed Sicilian) so I've got that going for me....

    1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

      You don’t have to wait until you die Bill, just check out your toast every now and then, but be prepared for being disappointed when you leave this life. There might be no one else there. Just saying!

      ?❤️

      1. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

        LOL! Is buttering the savior blasphemy?

  1. A druid's Avatar A druid

    Yeshua bin Jusef was an aramaic philosopher and as arab looking as any other. Because of his universal message he is accepted by any given group as a member of that group. Thusly in some lands he is blond with blue eyes, in others he is black. No doubt in asia he is rather asian looking and of course in Eire he's a red head. And they are all correct. Just a thought.

  1. Bill Fox's Avatar Bill Fox

    There is no description of Jesus in the Bible. He was never a Nazarene, so there is no reason to assume he had long hair. He was a career carpenter. The idea that he was a pale, limp wristed, weak, effeminate man is very unlikely. Although he could have had blue eyes, or read hair, or even white skin are all possible, but not very likely. He could disappear in a crowd and no one could distinguish him from anyone else. Most of our views of Jesus have been tendered by the Roman Catholic Church and artists of the past thousand years.

    1. TK's Avatar TK

      Okay...seriously... I wasn’t going to reply, but as respectfully as possible, GOOD GRIEF...what book did you read to arrive at this conclusion?

      The book of Revelation describes what “Jesus” looks like after ascending to heaven with a glorified body.

      A.)
      In two main places, Revelation 1 and 19, John sees Jesus in vision and writes down the following description. Jesus looks like the “Son of Man” who is clothed with a garment going down to His feet and a golden sash around His chest (Revelation 1:13). His head and hair are white like snow (Rev 1:14) and His eyes are like flames of fire (Rev 1:14; 2:18; 19:12). John sees Jesus holding seven stars in His right hand (Rev 1:16) and His feet look like highly polished brass from a furnace (Rev 1:15, 2:18). Jesus’ face also shines like the sun in its brilliance (Rev 1:16).

      Revelation 19 also paints the picture of Jesus coming back to earth crowned with many crowns and sitting upon a white horse having a name written upon Him which no man knew (Rev 19:11-12). The vision continues, adding that Jesus will rule with a rod of iron having the name “King of Kings” and “Lord of Lords” written on His robe and thigh (Rev 19:16). Revelation also says that the voice of Jesus is like a trumpet and the sound of many waters (Rev 1:10,15; 19:6).

      B.) Jesus in Daniel’s Visions It is interesting to note that Daniel describes Jesus with nearly identical characteristics. Daniel 10:5-6 describes Jesus in the following way:

      Dressed in linen (Daniel 10:5) Pure golden sash around waist (Daniel 10:5) Body looked like Beryl (Daniel 10:6) Face like flashes of lightning (Daniel 10:6) Eyes like flaming torches (Daniel 10:6) Arms and feet like polished bronze (Daniel 10:6) Voice like the sound of a multitude (Daniel 10:6). ?

    2. Laurie Cleveland's Avatar Laurie Cleveland

      I really don't know where you got your information from, but you really need to re-read your sources. The gentleman below posted right out of The Bible. All I know is that I have seen what he looked like and he WAS a Nazarene, whether you care to admit to it or not. I was there. I've seen him since. I wrote a short story based on when he went to Central America. You can call me whatever you want (and I'm sure you have quite a few things to say which are derrogatory, but please don't.). I know the truth. Eventually, so shall you and when you do, all of this tripe is going to come back to you in spades.

      1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

        I didn’t realize you had such a sense of humor. Thank you.

        ?❤️

  1. TK's Avatar TK

    Israel: Jews originated as an ethnic and religious group in the Middle East during the second millennium BCE, in the part of the Levant known as the Land of Israel. The Merneptah Stele appears to confirm the existence of a people of Israel somewhere in Canaan as far back as the 13th century BCE (Late Bronze Age).

    “Jesus’” tribe: In Matthew 1:1–6 and Luke 3:31–34 of the New Testament, “Jesus” is described as a member of the tribe of Judah by lineage. Revelation 5:5 also mentions an apocalyptic vision of the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

  1. TK's Avatar TK

    Jew ETYMOLOGY: late 12c., Giw, Jeu, "a Jew (ancient or modern), one of the Jewish race or religion," from Anglo-French iuw, Old French giu (Modern French Juif), from Latin Iudaeum (nominative Iudaeus), from Greek Ioudaios, from Aramaic (Semitic) jehudhai (Hebrew y'hudi) "a Jew," from Y'hudah "Judah," literally "celebrated," name of Jacob's fourth son and of the tribe descended from him.

    Y’hudah/Yahuda/Yahudi ETYMOLOGY: YAHUDI. The prophetic and scripture name of the COVENANT PEOPLE of those who loyal follow and obey YHVH.

    The most ancient communities of Jews are the Ethiopian, Sephardi, and Mizrahi Jews of North Africa and the Horn of Africa.

    The well-known 16th Century geographer Leo Africanus - an Andalusian Berber convert to Christianity - mentions a mysterious small village of African Jews southwest of Timbuktu, who traded in exotic spices, weapons, and poisons.

    Gentile ETYMOLOGY: "one who is not a Jew," c. 1400; earlier "one who is not a Christian, a pagan" (late 14c.), from Late Latin noun use of Latin gentilis "of the same family or clan, of or belonging to a Roman gens," from gens (genitive gentis) "race, clan," from PIE root *gene- "give birth, beget," with derivatives referring to procreation and familial and tribal groups.

    Goy(m) ETYMOLOGY: Borrowed from Yiddish גוי‎ (goy, “gentile”), from Hebrew גּוֹי‎ (goi, “nation”).

    The word goy technically refers not to non-Jews, but rather to a nation per se; the Jews are said to constitute a “goy”.

    But through common usage – namely referring to "the [other non-Jewish] nations" – the word came to colloquially refer to non-Jews.

  1. Gerardo's Avatar Gerardo

    Who really cares about what color was Jesus´ skin? For all I know he could have been yellow with green stripes and red eyes and still His message would be the same: Love each other as I have loved you”. When I receive a letter I look at the letters contained therein and never give a second thought to the paper on which it has been written. As for the ink, it can be magenta, purple, black or red and it doesn´t make any difference. What is really important is the MESSAGE.

    We have reached a point that borders on absurdity. Scholars, biased or not, can proclaim their theories all over the universe and still I would not care about them because what is important is Jesus Himself regardless of his color or ethnicity.

    1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

      Yes, the MESSAGE is the same Gerardo, Murder none believers as it’s written in Luke 19:27. He didn’t put any caveats on beating slaves either, Luke 12:47. He’s full of love though!

      ?❤️

      1. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

        That's not fair dude! According to scriptures, you cannot just beat your slaves all you might want - if they cannot move after 2 days then you have gone too far! You see? God even cares about insolent, lazy slaves! And, about murdering non-believers... if they are non-believers, is it really murder? I think not!

        1. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

          NOTE: The preceding post is satirical.

        2. Laurie Cleveland's Avatar Laurie Cleveland

          Jason, murder is murder, whether they believe the same as you is irrelevant. As for slaves, there is no such thing as a "lazy" slave. The overseers, many of whom should have been locked up and given the same treatment themselves, well that is Old Testament an eye for an eye type of thinking. Yeshua preached love. Unconditional Love is the number 1 Universal Law. It trumps every other law. Hate to say this Jason, you just broke it with your crude remarks.

          1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

            I think you will find Jason’s comment satirical Laurie.

            ?❤️

          2. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

            No $hyte Laurie... LOL Are you intentionally being dense or are you having an incredibly bad day. Even a stoned high school freshman with ADHD could easily deduce that post as being stated ironically, sarcastically or satirically. Furthermore, I followed up that post with the statement: " NOTE: The preceding post is satirical."

            There are verses in the bible that say: (1) you can beat your slaves all you want so long as they can move after 2 days have passed, if so - then you are all good. (2) directing readers to kill non-believers.

            So, I can reliably conclude that (1) you, like most so-called Christians, (a) know very little to almost nothing about your own religion; and (b) are not too bright to begin with. And (2) the related corollary, that Christianity is a religion of ignorance ... Ignorant people led by ignorant leaders to believe and follow a set of principles and beliefs that are in every sense of the word, ignorant.

            My saying this is not bigotry. I am a survivor of being raised by a christian family in a christian church... I am slowly recovering... It is a difficult, one-step at a time process... Today I worked up the courage to have some crab cakes and try on a cotton-poly blend shirt...

            Peace, Jason

            PS: I am a Gay. I never would wear or even touch polyester blends. The last line above was more satire about the bible saying 'eating shellfish is an abomination' and likewise for wearing 'shirts made from 2 different kinds of thread'... Both obviously ridiculous Bible B.$. Yet the same book of the bible also supposedly says homosexuality is an abomination... Yet NO Christians EVER make a fuss about the 1st two abominations!!! Just the homophobic one! So, when describing Christianity, add the words bigotry and hypocrisy to ignorance!!

            All Y'all HAVE BEEN SERVED!!! LOL

          3. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

            They terk R jerbs!!! Derp De Do!

  1. TK's Avatar TK

    Jew ETYMOLOGY: late 12c., Giw, Jeu, "a Jew (ancient or modern), one of the Jewish race or religion," from Anglo-French iuw, Old French giu (Modern French Juif), from Latin Iudaeum (nominative Iudaeus), from Greek Ioudaios, from Aramaic (Semitic) jehudhai (Hebrew y'hudi) "a Jew," from Y'hudah "Judah," literally "celebrated," name of Jacob's fourth son and of the tribe descended from him.

    Y’hudah/Yahuda/Yahudi ETYMOLOGY: The prophetic and scripture name of the COVENANT PEOPLE those who loyal follow and obey YAH. YAHU-DI means in Hebrew "YAHWEH'S PRAISER"; It is the exclusive name authorize by the prophets in the Tenak.

    Goy(m) ETYMOLOGY: Borrowed from Yiddish גוי‎ (goy, “gentile”), from Hebrew גּוֹי‎ (goi, “nation”).

    The word goy technically refers not to non-Jews, but rather to a nation per se; the Jews are said to constitute a “goy”. But through common usage – namely referring to "the [other non-Jewish] nations" – the word came to colloquially refer to non-Jews.

    Gentile ETYMOLOGY: "one who is not a Jew," c. 1400; earlier "one who is not a Christian, a pagan" (late 14c.), from Late Latin noun use of Latin gentilis "of the same family or clan, of or belonging to a Roman gens," from gens (genitive gentis) "race, clan," from PIE root *gene- "give birth, beget," with derivatives referring to procreation and familial and tribal groups.

  1. Bobbi's Avatar Bobbi

    If you want to see a photo of Jesus' face as it looked in life, Azna placed it on one of my book covers as a birthday gift. Basically to let me know she was very proud I had completed the book she wanted written. www.clarebobette.com

    1. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

      Was it called the shroud of Turin?

  1. Robert Messmer's Avatar Robert Messmer

    Palestine didn't exist, not even as a concept, until the mid 1960s when the term was invented by Yasser Arafat.

    1. Joe's Avatar Joe

      Let me guess, you are pro-Zionist and anti-Palestinian? Palestine was the name given to the region by Romans. Did the the Roman Empire exist in 1960s?

      1. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

        Darn tootin' I am anti-Palpatine!!! He killed almost all of the Jedi Knights, dumb.a$s!! I suppose Libtards like you and your ilk are not bothered by the fact that he is a Sith Lord, huh? DOOH!!

  1. Linda Capps's Avatar Linda Capps

    The funniest thing I ever heard was my daughter's ex-MIL & her ex-Grandma-in-law spout that Jesus was NOT a Jew but a Christian & white, that's why we're called Christians. I almost choked to death on my soda I was drinking when my daughter told me this. When she tried to explain to them about where Jesus was born and all and that he would have been dark skinned and of Jewish descent they got so made they almost resorted to violence.

    1. TK's Avatar TK

      Sad yet unsurprising and is a symptom of the white supremacy ideology we’ve all been force-fed.

  1. TK's Avatar TK

    Well, since no one else has said it...unsurprisingly...there IS a description of HIM in HIS book.

    Revelation 1:14-16 symbolically describe Jesus as having hair as white as wool, eyes like blazing fire, and from his mouth came a two edged sword. HIS FEET like BRONZE/BRASS, AS IF REFINED IN A FURNACE, and His face was shining like the sun in all its brilliance.

    Bronze is a metallic brown color which resembles the actual alloy bronze. The first recorded use of bronze as a color name in English was in 1753.

    Bronze is ALREADY BROWN...what happens when you heat it??? Any takers???

    I don’t think there were tanning booths nor tanning lotions nor sunscreen lotions back then.

    1. dvaunhowe's Avatar dvaunhowe

      Revelation was written around 95 AD. Of course, Seven would be the number of interpretations ascribed to the Book of Revelations.

    2. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

      twice now my attempts to lay some major compliments on you for the educational post you made on 5/1 failed... one more tiny try: Very nicely done, sir! Best post i have seen in a long time! Peace, Jason & Fischer Bender

  1. TK's Avatar TK

    Well, since no one else has said it...unsurprisingly...there IS a description of HIM in HIS book.

    Revelation 1:14-16 symbolically describe Jesus as having hair as white as wool, eyes like blazing fire, and from his mouth came a two edged sword. HIS FEET like BRONZE/BRASS, AS IF REFINED IN A FURNACE, and His face was shining like the sun in all its brilliance.

    Bronze is a metallic brown color which resembles the actual alloy bronze. The first recorded use of bronze as a color name in English was in 1753.

    Bronze is ALREADY BROWN...what happens when you heat it??? Any takers???

    I don’t think there were tanning booths nor tanning lotions nor sunscreen lotions back then.

    The letter J was first distinguished from 'I' by the Frenchman Pierre Ramus in the 16th century, but did not become common in Modern English until the 17th century, so that early 17th century works such as the first edition of the King James Version of the Bible (1611) continued to print the name with an I.

    Biblical Hebrew, sometimes called Classical Hebrew, is an archaic form of the Hebrew language. The very first translation of the Hebrew Bible was into Greek.

    There was no 'J' in Hebrew. There was and is a letter representing something like 'Y' in Hebrew but later translators and editors rendered various names with a 'J' in the text.

    Hebrew belongs to the Canaanite group of languages. In turn, the Canaanite languages are a branch of the Northwest Semitic family of languages. According to Avraham Ben-Yosef, Hebrew flourished as a spoken language in the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah during about 1200 to 586 BCE.

    The common ancestor of Hebrew and Phoenician is called Canaanite, and was the first to use a Semitic alphabet distinct from Egyptian. One ancient document is the famous Moabite Stone written in the Moabite dialect; the Siloam Inscription, found near Jerusalem, is an early example of Hebrew.

    Canaan (Hebrew: כְּנַעַן‎ Kena'an), according to the Book of Genesis in the Hebrew Bible, was a SON OF HAM and GRANDSON OF NOAH, and was the FATHER OF the Canaanites. He was the recipient of the so-called Curse of Ham.

    The Bible directly refers to Egypt as the Land of Ham. The word Ham is believed to come from the word Khawm which means “black, hot, and burnt” in Hebrew and chamam, also a Hebrew word for “to be hot”.

    Ham is the youngest of Noah’s three sons along with Japheth and Shem. Ham himself has four sons, namely: Cush (Ethiopia), Mizraim (Egypt), Put (Libya), and lastly, CANAAN (Canaanites are believed to be the first people in Israel). The Bible stated that Ham and his sons, and their soon-to-be descendants lived and became THE FOREFATHERS of the African continent and the Middle East.

    Egypt ETYMOLOGY: Strictly one of the names of Memphis, it was taken by the Greeks as the name of the whole country. The Egyptian name, Kemet, means "black country," possibly in reference to the rich delta soil. The Arabic is Misr, which is derived from Mizraim, the name of a son of Biblical HAM.

    Kemet ETYMOLOGY: Ancient Egyptians referred to their homeland as Kmt (conventionally pronounced as Kemet). Egyptians REFERRED TO THEMSELVES as "Black" people or kmt, and km was the etymological root of other words, such as Kam or HAM, which refer to BLACK PEOPLES in HEBREW tradition.

    Africa ETYMOLOGY: 1.) Africa: Originated from the Egyptian word “Afru-ika”which is translated to “Motherland.” 2.) “Africa,” comes from the Arabic word firk or frik, which means separate, divide, or conquer. 3.) It is also reported the spelling of Africa originated from Romans who conquered Carthage and identified the continent as Africa terra (feminine form of Africus) meaning the land of the North African tribe, AFRI. 4.) Other theories for the origin of the spelling of Africa stems from the adjective for Africa in Latin“Afer,” which means Black or Dark and “Aprica” meaning “Sunny.” 5.) The spelling of Africa originates from the Greek word phrike, combined with the negating prefix a-, Aphrike means land free of cold or horror.

    ORIGIN of the word/name AFRICA: 1.) Alke-bulan: According to KEMETIC History “(A)mong the many names Alkebu-lan [“mother of mankind” or “garden of eden”] was called the following: “Ethiopia, Corphye, Ortegia, Libya and Africa – the latest of all.

    Alkebulan is the oldest and the only one of indigenous origin.

    It was used by the Moors, Nubians, Numidians, Khart-Haddans (Carthagenians), and Ethiopians.

    Africa, the current misnomer adopted by almost everyone today, was GIVEN to this continent by the ancient Greeks and Romans.

    The Afri People: Afri (singular Afer) was a Latin name for the inhabitants of Africa, referring in its widest sense to all the lands south of the Mediterranean (Ancient Libya). Latin speakers at first used afer as an adjective, meaning "of Africa". As a substantive, it denoted a native of Africa; i.e., an African.

    Greek description of “Black” people/Ethiopians: ALL BLACK AFRICANS were known as Ethiopians to the ancient Greeks, as the fifth-century B.C. historian Herodotus tells us, and their iconography was narrowly defined by Greek artists in the Archaic (ca. 700–480 B.C.) and Classical (ca. 480–323 B.C.) periods, BLACK SKIN color being the primary identifying physical characteristic. It is recorded that Ethiopians were among King Xerxes’ troops when Persia invaded Greece in 480 B.C. Thus, the Greeks would have come into contact with large numbers of Africans at this time.

    It's well-documented that classical Greek thinkers traveled to what we now call Egypt to expand their knowledge. When the Greek scholars Thales, Hippocrates, Pythagoras, Socrates, Plato and others traveled to Kemet, they studied at the temple-universities Waset and Ipet Isut. Here, the Greeks were inducted into a wide curriculum that encompassed both the esoteric as well as the practical.

    Thales was the first to go to Kemet. He was introduced to the Kemetic Mystery System -- the knowledge that formed the basis of the Kemites' understanding of the world, which had been developed over the previous 4,500 years. After he returned, Thales made a name for himself by accurately predicting a solar eclipse and demonstrating how to measure the distance of a ship at sea. He encouraged others to make their way to Kemet to study [source: Texas A&M].

    Just a SMALL amount of the information available if you’re TRULY interested in removing yourself from the white supremacy mindset that’s been bestowed upon all of us. That thinking is THE ONLY problem we have in the earth. Exalting oneself over ALL ELSE based upon skin color has been and continues to be the reason this earth we need to live on is being utterly destroyed. It takes much self reflection to arrive at such an understanding.

    1. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

      OMFG... You are such a wierdo! With your knowledge, information, facts and reason... Doofus! Bringing book learnin' to a religion fight - now I have seen everything! LOL.... ;)

      1. TK's Avatar TK

        LOL...you’re right.

        I COMPLETELY overstepped! My apologies?

        1. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

          PS: You probably inferred this, but I think this post is the most awesome one I have seen in a long time... Nicely done, sir!

        2. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

          DONT KNOW WHY THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE HAD TO BE POSTED TWICE... But:

          what you wrote SUPRA (on 5-1-19 @ 0936 hrs) is one of the most awesome posts I have read in a long time.... THANK YOU!

          Nicely done, sir!

  1. Glenn Geist's Avatar Glenn Geist

    No, it doesn't matter, Jesus, as many Christians think of him is largely a mythological character and to many wasn't human but a manifestation of the divine. What color was Apollo, after all, or Zeus? What color is YHWH?

    BUT when we talk about modern Palestinians, we are not talking about 1st century Israel or Judea. Those people were the descendants of a crossroads area that had been populated by Assyrians, Babylonians, Mediterranean sea people like the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and others. Modern Palestinians include descendants of Arabs.The Arab invasion occurred about 600 years after Jesus. The tradition of depicting Jesus dressed like a Bedouin is a 19th century conceit, just like the long lanky hair and Nordic features shown in Renaissance European art.

    "Middle Eastern" refers to an area that's been in constant flux since the arrival of the first Homo Sapiens and still is. It's like saying Americans are all white Europeans and so Pocohontas must have been white. This is a deliberate political thing, an attempt to ignore the Jewishness of Jesus, and not anthropological.

  1. Blair Orr's Avatar Blair Orr

    My aunt painted a picture in the 1930s that she titled "Black Jesus". It is a great painting and quite amazing that she was able to do such tremendous work as a high school student. The picture was flagged for first place in an exhibit IF she was willing to change the title. She refused. No prize. I have the picture hanging in my house.

  1. John's Avatar John

    Why does it even matter what color skin, eyes, hair or any other "human" feature. Unconditional Love is exactly what it says unconditional.

  1. Minster Raydeen's Avatar Minster Raydeen

    It does not Matter, what he was on this earth, there is no flesh in Heaven, God is a Spirit! No Black,White,Yellow or Brown.....on this earth he walked as a man with God inside him, do not let that confuse you, We need him more today than ever

    1. Ray Hathaway's Avatar Ray Hathaway

      Jesus, as God, was NOT A SPIRIT. He was made of flesh and blood. He was a Jew. Genetics would dictate that Jesus, the man, looked very much like the man I posted above.

    2. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

      I notice your book says we were made in his image, so does your god look like an Aborigine from Australia, or did he look more like a small Chinaman? I hope he doesn’t look like my mother-in-law. Just saying!

      ?❤️

      1. browneyedwytch's Avatar browneyedwytch

        Just curious: everyone keeps saying we are made in god's image. So do this mean that god is a woman also? I'm a woman, so then god must be a woman at times also. Inquiring minds want to know. Everyone seems to assume that god is male, why can't god be both male and female. I know this is a change of subject but I keep seeing his image, etc., and I'm just asking.

        1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

          You will get some very weird replies to your question Donna, all trying to make sense of that statement of being in his image. In reality, it is of course a fallacy. It only tries to become real if you want to believe in creation. We now know through science, logic, and reason, that evolution is how we came to be here.

          Creationists won’t agree with me, and that’s okay. Many of them don’t have a formal education, which is obvious from their remarks and indoctrinated rebuttals.

          ?❤️

          1. Hank Stanco's Avatar Hank Stanco

            And evolution doesn’t explain where life started.

            Blessed be.

          2. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

            And neither do the theories of creation Hank, unless you want to believe the words in the novel you read.

            Hare Krishna ?

            ?♥️

        2. Hank Stanco's Avatar Hank Stanco

          Which came first Lion, the chicken or the Egg???

        3. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

          Do you see what I mean Donna? Hank (who says he's a Christian) loves throwing in riddles in an attempt to try and divert your question to make it seem he's intelligent. He has of course no intelligent answers. He tries, but when he falls short, he throws in his chicken and egg question. He seems to think all answers in this life are answered by chickens and eggs.

          ?♥️

      2. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

        I think they mean God looks like an ape, from which we came.

  1. Ray Hathaway's Avatar Ray Hathaway

    The real Jesus was a Mideastern Jew. The "westernized" Jesus we have been presented with is ridiculous. Here is my Lord and Savior: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YFi6r7_Agss/VnSD2vWAa9I/AAAAAAAAaq8/jgz4cBu1Dr0/s1600/jesus-real.png

  1. Phillip's Avatar Phillip

    Minister Phillip here, I like to picture Jesus in a Tuxedo T-shirt, because it says I want to be formal, but I'm here to party.

  1. John Owens's Avatar John Owens

    I wouldn't say He was Palestinian, but I would say He could probably pass for one. Many present-day Palestinians are actually of Jewish descent, and their ancestors converted to Islam a few generations back, to keep from being beheaded or some such. Having said that, there was certainly never any reason to think He was the light-skinned, tender-looking man with long red hair and sometimes light colored eyes that is usually depicted in the artists' renderings of Him.

    I suppose it was not easy to sell a Saviour who looked like a Moor to the Europeans, but Abraham was an ancient Iraqi.

  1. Professor's Avatar Professor

    The word anti-Semite is always used when the racists want to keep people from hearing the truth. The truth is that the word “Jew” is a lie. Jew is not a race, it is a religion, the very religion that Jesus condemned as being of the Devil (Mark 7:13). Ashkenazi is a race, Sephardic is a race and Hebrew is a race. Ashkenazi is not Hebrew, they are imposters who have absolutely no “Right of Return".

    The Christian Holy Bible is clear about who the Ashkenazi’s are (Genesis 10:3). Ashkenaz is a descendant of Japheth, not Shem, therefore, not Semites. The real Semites (Descendants of Shem) who are also the real Hebrews, are the “Palestinians”. Most Jews of today are Ashkenazi. Not only does the Bible tell us that Ashkenazis are decedents of Japheth, this fact has been proven through DNA testing by Eran Elhaik, PhD.,The Missing Link of Jewish European Ancestry: Contrasting the Rhineland and the Khazarian Hypotheses, (McKusick - Nathans Institute of Genitic Medicine, John Hopkins School of Medicine, Dec 5, 2012). Dr. Elhaik’s findings have been corroborated by Dr. Martin Richards: A Substantial Prehistoric European Ancestry Amongst Ashkenazi Maternal Lineages, (University of Huddersfield).

    Ashkenazi Jews came from the Ukraine (Khazar) after converting to the Jewish religion as defined by the Babylonian Talmud. They are imposters who dare to call themselves “Hebrew”. They want the world to believe that the word Jew also means Hebrew. Jew, is a religion, not a race, the most evil religion that ever existed and disguises itself as something good. They are trained to lie to everyone, even other Jews in order to subvert and control the entire world. The implications of this are so profound that Jews can never admit they are wrong. The truth cuts them like a two edged sword.

    1. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

      In that case Professor, since Christianity is an off shoot of Judaism, in that the coming of the messiah was predicted by their schizophrenics called prophets, Christianity is probably the second most evil religion in this world. I don't know about the lies of good Jewish people, some of whom which have been among my closest friends, but I've known a bunch of Christian liars, one of which was a girlfriend of mine, who was also a psychology professor at a nearby college, Professor, which is part of why I question the sincerity of all people claim such a high and mighty title. Although you are good at referencing specific, supposed sources sir, why should anyone believe you? What are your credentials, and what proof can you give us of that? You could be as an incredulous as Bob Fleutsch or Flugo.

    2. TK's Avatar TK

      Yet again, SPOT ON!

  1. BERNARD ANTIN's Avatar BERNARD ANTIN

    To entertain the notion that J was anything other than ethnically, racially or any other way Jewish is Anti Semitic at its core .

    1. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

      I'm nothing like a Christian, but am Wiccan, and don't care what Jesus was, if he really existed, which I seriously doubt.

      1. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

        Well... Credit where credit is due... It was AWESOME what Christ said about: feeding the hungry, caring for sick and poor, showing forgiveness and mercy, the need to treat others like one wishes they were treated as well as avoiding hypocrisy, false piety, judgmentalism and similar self-righteous behavior - and so on...

        Christ existed... the question is: is he THE child of God, and is not A child of God like you and I are...

        Peace!

  1. minister james's Avatar minister james

    I'm having trouble fully enjoying the 'Snickers' I'm munching on because it came in a 'Milky Way' wrapper...May we all find that better day.

    1. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

      Don't y'all think it looks like people from Arab countries might have had some ancestors who were much darker complexioned, and came from Africa, probably belonging to a tribe who were rivals of the Vikings, called the Moore's, who were from the African country called Arabia. Doesn't the word Arab come from Arabian? Personally, I'm an all American mutt, with ancestors I know of to have been from seven different European countries. Half of them came from Cicily, and where might my Civilian ancestors have come from? Nevertheless, I look like a white boy, and am sticking with that. I think there are beautiful members of all races, and have done more than just think about it. Jesus could have resembled an African Pygmy. What difference does it make? It's the message, not the messenger, that counts. Is that too difficult for other than a mutt to figure out?

      1. TK's Avatar TK

        Carl, you’re absolutely right. Unfortunately, in our current society anything Black/Brown has to be discredited and deemed as unbelievable because we have all been so inoculated into the fallacy of white supremacy and the rest of the untruths, (“freedoms”), that come along with it. In addition, the majority of us are purposefully, woefully undereducated when it comes to knowledge of other history other than white history and viewing the world, (past, present and future), through that particular lens.

  1. Carmela's Avatar Carmela

    Hi Gary shade Palestinians did exist during the classic age,in Jesus, time. The romans coined the term as an insult to the people of the area including Jews. It was meant to be an insult and means something like a hodgepodge or riff raff of people. Carmela

  1. Carmela's Avatar Carmela

    I am intrigued by the legend of saint Luke, the evangelist who painted the portrait of mother Mary and painted her dark skinned. Saint Luke lived in Mary,S time and was the only evangelist to tell the birth narrative of the gospels.anyway, legend has it that the black Madonna portrait ended up in Poland and is to this day a famous icon.

  1. Gary Shade's Avatar Gary Shade

    Palestine still does not exist.

    1. Keith A. Eash's Avatar Keith A. Eash

      Gary. The Palestinians today are none other then the Philistines of David's time. The Romans called the Land of Israel Palestine. Check your history please.

      1. Dawn Pisturino's Avatar Dawn Pisturino

        Palestine is a region, and never was a nation or a people.

  1. Gary Shade's Avatar Gary Shade

    A stupid premise.

    Palestine and "Palestinians" did not even exist in the time of Christ.

    And Islam did not come into being for another 600 years.

    So how could Jesus have been "a Palestinian man". What a stupid remark.

    1. Dawn Pisturino's Avatar Dawn Pisturino

      Agreed!

  1. Minister Post's Avatar Minister Post

    Does it really matter the color of Jesus skin?? The point im making is he was, is , and always will be the Messiah. No one goes to the father except through me. We have no idea about what Jesus's heavenly body looks like now. In heaven their will be no prejudice, no sickness, sadness, and we will have new immortal bodies. Believe in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. What your debating about his skin color has no place in heaven. Remember what you have learned and who you have learned it from. Perhaps we will all look different in heaven. The point is that your soul made it. For the path is wide and many will follow to their destruction. The path of the righteous is narrow and few shall enter into heaven. Read your bible daily and commune with Jesus and the father as much as you can. For it will shock many when standing in judgement and Jesus says, " for I never knew you, depart from me you wicked ones. Once saved always saved will lead you to the worst destruction imaginable. For it would be better that you never knew the word of God then to be so easily deceived and led astray.

    My God bless all my brothers and sisters in Christ. Celebrate only what the bible tells us to celebrate and when to worship. All other holidays and Sunday worshiping is a pagan ritual that will surely lead you to death.

    1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

      Thank you for your mythical irreligious threats, but it doesn’t scare me. No god, or goddess, is worthy of being worshipped with the type of eternal blackmail purported by yourself, and especially one as brutal as the one you believe in.

      I’m still interested in knowing what pagan day you worship your mythical god being as you also have some strange beliefs about Sunday.

      ?❤️

      1. Laurie Cleveland's Avatar Laurie Cleveland

        Llionheart, you certainly love to stir the pot. Normally, I would just discount your caustic remarks and move on. It's clear that you don't come from a place of love. While this is a non-denominational board and "church," it represents many religions and denominations of those religions. While debating is good, negativity is not and you appear to be up to your neck in it. Why is anybody's guess. Color never matters as does religion. It is the message that is important. I guess that you never understood that and I will give you some advice that was given to me by a nursing instructor. Under the skin, we are all the same. It doesn't matter how He is portrayed, so long as His message of love one another is heard.

        1. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

          He wasn't being negative... For a reference on what true negativity looks like I refer you to most of my older posts... Also, he frequently has more than a few good points! Example from the post, supra: the beliefs you and nearly all of Christendom have about Sunday... Your religious texts repeatedly refer to the Sabbath which is Friday eve to Sat eve. From what I recall, those texts don't mention Sunday even once.

          Why do you think you can just ignore the 1st of the 10 commandments that your God handed down to you - with a penalty of DEATH attached for even minor violations??

          Either: (1) you dont believe it any more than I or Sir Lionheart do. or (2) You are a blasphemer! And, therefore,( by your God's law) YOU shall be put to DEATH - by stoning! (*NOTE: Read that line like James Cleese from Monty Python. lol!) or What other possible reason could there be for y'all to ignore your God's #1 law???

          Peace!

          1. Laurie Cleveland's Avatar Laurie Cleveland

            Again, do not think that I am a Christian, although I was brought up in a Protestant church. I am an eclectic Wiccan HP. I have a very wide viewpoint and I also read quite a bit about different religious beliefs. I believe that we need to respect each other's opinions and communicate respectfully even when we disagree.

          2. Hank Stanco's Avatar Hank Stanco

            We celebrate on Sunday as the apostles did right after the resurrection.

            Christians don’t celebrate the Sabbath. They celebrate the risen Christ...every Sunday.

          3. Keith A. Eash's Avatar Keith A. Eash

            Laurie, to know is one thing but to know the truth is what matters. With the knowledge that exists today I cannot believe you deny what has been proven false. Jesus was God, is God, and always will be God. What you know is false and a deception and a bold faced lie. You absolutely know nothing that is historical or true.

          4. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

            Keith, what you think you know is in fact false. You have been totally deluded, and the virus of indoctrination is rooted deeply within you, which clouds your vision.

            Laurie (praise be her name) who is Wiccan, has as much right, and possibly more wisdom and insight, to make her point of view than your good self.

            Blessed be, Keith. May the moon and stars look down favorably upon you. ?

            ?❤️

        2. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

          Laurie, my intention is not to stir the pot, anymore than Christians telling me I'm going to Hell. The pot doesn't get much bigger than telling someone they are going to go to Hell if they don't believe in their fallacious stories, so I'm sorry you see my comments as caustic, and Christian comments about Hell as angelic, or coming from a place of love.

          You see, in your mind, you think that I am not coming from a place of love when I don't believe your fallacies, but people who say I'm going to go to a Hell presumably appears to be a loving statement in your eyes. Do you see the dichotomy of your statement. I'm thinking you won't even understand where I am coming from, and that will be because of your indoctrination.

          If you truly knew me, you would know that I have been in Hospice as a volunteer to hold the hands of those who are close to passing away to give them comfort.

          If you truly knew me you would know that I have spent countless hours at gravesites recording details, and taking photographs of head stones, for www.findagrave.com for families out of state, or out of the country, that cannot get to the gravesite of a past loved one.

          These actions come from a place of love for his fellow man. Not from a fear of going to Hell if I don't doff my hat and follow someones religion.

          ?♥️

          1. Laurie Cleveland's Avatar Laurie Cleveland

            Lionheart, You have quite a few presumptions about me. I can only comment upon how you respond to people and sometimes, we need a mirror to see what others are seeing. You made the presumption that I am Christian, and while I was brought up in a Protestant church, my views have grown far beyond that narrow path. I am an eclectic Wiccan HP, and lightworker. Hell is a real spot. I had to go over it as part of my initiation. It is the total absence of God, however you see Him/Her. You don't strike me as belonging there, but you do need to figure out a way to get your point across, even though you are aggravated by another person's viewpoint . It's called respect and tolerance. I doubt that as a hospice worker that you would answer the patient or the family this way. We all have the right to debate the question and it's how we learn and grow . I am an RN in the home health field and my patients love me because I take the time to listen, I make them laugh and I am damned good at what I do. I am going back to finish bridge courses for. Y BSN, and we are discussing various nursing theories. I didn't know it, but my entire life, including nursing has been Watson's Theory of Human Caring. As a Wiccan, there is more personal responsibility than mainstream Christians or even the "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition " types. I am not unique in my viewpoint, but it was like coming home to family when I went to a seminar on Watson's theory. These nurses are like I am. They live the way that they believe. Really something. I like some of these debates because they make you think. Was Yeshua the way I described Him? Yes. I was there. Does it matter if he is portrayed differently by different groups of people? No. It's the message of unconditional love that is important and if it makes people realize that this is the greatest of all of His teachings and that they can own it, than it's de trop.

          2. Laurie Cleveland's Avatar Laurie Cleveland

            I posted a long reply to your, but damned if I can see it. Hopefully, it will show up, because I think that you will find it interesting. Pax!

          3. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

            My humble apologies if I misinterpreted your comment in thinking you were Christian. I hope I answered you question regarding any of my comments you interpreted as being caustic, or stirring the pot.

            Peace, and blessed be ✌?

            ?♥️

          4. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

            Do not fear, Laurie, long messages tend to be flagged for human review prior to going live. The longest I have ever had to wait was until ~ 11am PST the following business day - usually much less. Of literally several hundreds of posts, only one was lost to the ether and I am pretty sure that one outlier was due to network or software gremlins on my end...

            Peace!

          5. Laurie Cleveland's Avatar Laurie Cleveland

            All is well. It's amazing how something so Iniquitous can cause such repercussions, lol.

          6. Hank Stanco's Avatar Hank Stanco

            Here comes Lion King again. Last week he wrote like an atheist, insulting Christians.

            New tactic this week. Now he’s writing like he’s some pagan.

            Next week he’ll be Hindi.

      2. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

        That guy who is now calling himself Post sounds a lot like Flugo, and before him Bob Fleutsh. And they're never around at the same time. When one disappears, the next one shows up, to preach to us in the same, twisted way. Just food for thought.

      3. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

        Worship is only a bedroom game, and is usually only done by the one who is being submissive. It's good to honor our gods and goddesses, but I don't know of any in Wicca who seek worship, like a dominant master,except for 0ossibly in christian mythology, and other similar religions. I'm surprised Jesus isn't depicted wearing leather, and holding a whip.

    2. Gary Shade's Avatar Gary Shade

      Right on the money Minister Post.

    3. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

      My God doesn't like your god, Post.

  1. Laurie Cleveland's Avatar Laurie Cleveland

    This is what I know. Yeshua had reddish brown hair and either blue or green eyes as did Mary Magdalen his wife. It was common from his place of origin. That doesn't, however, mean that he was white although with that coloration, he probably would have lighter skin tones, but then so do many people in the area do today. What's funny to me is that it really doesn't matter what He looked like, rather it's His teachings that are important. The Bible cut out so much of what he taught which is now coming to light, and, quite frankly, it's long overdue. So what if the man is portrayed differently in different places. The important thing is that each person who hears the message can relate to Him. That's the whole point. It's the same reason why there are so many religions. It is so people can relate to the IAM. Fighting or discussing about what He looked like is ridiculous when we should be discussing His teachings and how the Essenes factored into this. That would be more worthwhile. To discuss such pettiness is to discount everything that He taught, the most important thing being "Love your brother as you do yourself. "

    1. Keith A. Eash's Avatar Keith A. Eash

      Sorry to inform you but Jesus was'nt married to Mary Magdalene. That's only fictional in the Davinci Code. Have you read the Bible or the Apocryphal Books of the New Testament. No where does it say Jesus was married. If he was divine he needed to stay pure. Being married and having children would have created a rival heir for the throne. Jesus was God. Hence, thete was no need for Jesus to be married. That is a hersesy from the gitgo. People got burned at the stake for less. So I would suggest thst you do some serious theological and Biblical study on the subject before yoy spout such untruths. God bless.

      1. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

        What about Jesus' gay love affair with St.Judas. Have you heard about that?

  1. James's Avatar James

    Who truly knows many of these details. No one we know was there to confirm. All these writings were done 100's of years AD and are hearsay. ... http://theconversation.com/jesus-wasnt-white-he-was-a-brown-skinned-middle-eastern-jew-heres-why-that-matters-91230 .

  1. Ahira Benitez's Avatar Ahira Benitez

    What an awesome waste of time. He was, He is.

  1. Br'er George's Avatar Br'er George

    It's important-ish, kinda, depends on context.

    When Greek Christians started writing icons they evolved a "Greek-ish" look to Jesus and his crew but not because they had a problem with Middle Easterners. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has long ago "Ethiopianized" Jesus's looks.

    Scientifically Jesus came from the Middle East and probably looked like one a dem as opposed to a Viking from Iceland. But if a friggin' Christian Viking from Iceland wants to Vikingize Jesus I suppose it's they bidniss not mine!

    So evry body just needs ta chill!

  1. Robert Bruce Kelsey's Avatar Robert Bruce Kelsey

    I was tossed out of the Congregationalist Sunday School in 3rd grade when I said the obviously Aryan Jesus on the wall wasn't what the Nazorean (as he was called by documents in his time) looked like (yes I was a nerd). My Congregationalist mother was devastated; my closet-Thelemite father said: You will know what faith you are when you are called. Until then, enter no kirk or house unless you are willing to honor their gods as their gods.

    So would someone please enlighten me why the color of the body in which the Second Person of the Trinity "emptied" himself (as Paul has it) should matter at all, to anyone who professes the significance of the Incarnation?

    1. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

      I was assaulted by my sunday school teacher as a child when I pointed out (1) men and women have the same number of ribs - and proved it with an encyclopedia article.... And, (2) the SS teacher's assertion that men have more ribs than women in not only wrong - but also the claim makes no sense as the creation story she was talking about involved God allegedly removing a rib from Adam to make Eve - so by her logic Man should have less ribs, not more! LOL What a stupid biatch!

      1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

        Your problem was that you were too analytical, not to mention intelligent. My SS teacher, never told me anything about a man spilling his seed on the ground, Lots daughters having sex with their dad, or people having their heads caved in with rocks, a punishment approved by some sicko god. She only told me about the family “G” rated stories, which I assume was to get me, a child, hooked into believing god was a nice guy, and Jesus was the only man whose lap I should sit on. I think that’s why I though Santa Clause at the Mall was Jesus wearing a red costume. He seemed like a nice guy at the Mall but looked amazingly like Joe Biden with a beard. His hands were all over the place. Know what I mean?

        ?❤️

        1. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

          So the guy at the mall was a bit too touchy molesty with his hands? I am sorry - that's not cool! What the heck did the heathen think he was doing? That sort of thing is for priests, uncles and ... lol

          I don't mean to minimize your pain, but when I sat down in a mall Santa's lap for the very last time... i got goosed by much worse... as IT WAS NOT HIS HANDS I FELT PUSHING UP AGAINST ME BUM!! lol

          Anyway - about the abuse from my SS teacher(s): (lol) I am glad for that beating and a few others like it. I learned an early, clear and important lesson...

          (a) Organized religion = "think and do as we say or you will be tortured!"

          (b) Organized religion = Organized hypocrisy on steroids.

          (c) many organized religious leaders and most of their followers are (1) stupid, or (2) intentionally stupid or (3) intentionally stupid and proud of it.

           Note: Rule C has a vast multitude of exceptions... 
           No offense to anyone was / is intended!
          
  1. angel's Avatar angel

    Yes,we know.

  1. Rev. Rene's Avatar Rev. Rene

    Keep in mind, Iranians (Persians) are racially Arian. But Syrians are not. Palestine was more Syrian than anything, so racially one would presume Jesus was Jewish by birth, Palestinian by location, and likely Syrian by ethnicity. What did He look like? He was a Homo Sapiens, and what He looked like is about as important as a white, black, yellow, male or female President!!! He was human, end of story!

    1. Donnie R Bode's Avatar Donnie R Bode

      Amen

      1. Eva's Avatar Eva

        Amen! We will never agree but to disagree. Religion and Politics are topics that cause so much arguments sometimes war. I have my own beliefs, my testaments and miracles. Within me I have my own faith and whatever color he is, he has heard my prayers. We are all his children a d he preached ❤ love ❤ Just respect each other and let them be in their own religion, to each its own. Stop the hatered, violence, racism and ignorance is bliss. ❤ LOVE IS THE ANSWER ❤ Love to all ❤

        1. dvaunhowe's Avatar dvaunhowe

          thank you for the love! I give some back. ❤️❤️❤❤❤❤❤❤

    2. Glenn Geist's Avatar Glenn Geist

      Actually we can't say anything about him and the area he was born in means nothing. His ancestry could as well have include greco-Roman occupiers or Mediterranean "sea peoples" like the Philistines for whom the area was named. None of this matters if you claim his father was YHWH/EL but despite the howling of prophets, Israel and Judea were multicultural for much and maybe most of its history. Uncertainty may apply to history, but not to faith. Doubt is the horse honesty rides.

      1. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

        I've been through the desert on a horse with no name. It was good to get out of the rain.

  1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

    If he ever existed, does it really matter what he was?

    ?♥️

    1. Hank Stanco's Avatar Hank Stanco

      There you go again. He existed. Only conspiracy theorist and aluminum foil hat wearers believe any less. This weeks job for you: get those photos of a staged moon landing.

      1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

        Typical caustic, and arrogant remark, from a rose colored, glass wearing, Christian!

        Ever wondered whether your attitude is turning people away from your religion Hank?

        ?❤️

        1. Hank Stanco's Avatar Hank Stanco

          Not at all. And if anyone is caustic, it is you with you continual belittling and marginalizing of Christianity.

          1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

            You are the one that’s supposed to be setting the all loving example of your savior as a Christian. Thank you for proving my point!

            I can see by your poor example that I made the right choice to leave religion behind me, especially yours.

            ?❤️

          2. Hank Stanco's Avatar Hank Stanco

            Glad I could help.

          3. Laurie Cleveland's Avatar Laurie Cleveland

            Ah Hank, I gave Lionheart the same lecture that I'm going to give to you. This is the problem with religion per se. Everybody thinks that they are right and so we get arguments, etc. The point is, it really doesn't matter what Yeshua looked like. It was his message of Unconditional Love that he promulgated. If you are a Christian, or anything else for that matter, then you need to LIVE your religious beliefs and that includes the way you speak to people. I happen to have a far wider viewpoint of religion than you do, but I also come from a place of love (and perhaps some of my postings may not show this, but nevertheless, it is true. We all have our feet of clay. Getting down to somebody's level because you don't like it, well, it's not showing anybody but intolerance and prejudice, which is nothing more than hate of the unknown. The one thing about certain types of Christianity, like Southern Baptist is that they want you to go out and give "testimony" to whomever you encounter. I have always been uncomfortable with that. Why? Everybody is entitled to their own religious beliefs and it isn't my job to change their minds by words. Actions speak much louder than words on any day of the week. Whatever your beliefs, if you want somebody to know them and understand them, then the only way to do this is to demonstrate it through how you act. If you come from a place of love, great! If you come from a place of fear, not so good. I'm just saying. Yeshua was a perfect example. He and his disciples (for the most part) lilved his beliefs and that is why he was so effective. He just told the truth. The Bible today has been re-written so many times and so much has been left out of it that you are getting an incomplete picture of it. The other thing people of all faiths like to do is take something out of context to prove or disprove a point. We are all children of the IAM and we all carry a spark of the IAM in us, so, in effect, we are all brothers and sisters as well as to the 4-leggeds and 2-leggeds, those in the water as well as those in the air. We are all connected. If I want to see a particular animal, I have to get rid of the chatter and make myself still and calm. Likewise, if you really want to hear the message, you have to do the same thing. I believe you would probably call this a meditative state.

          4. Hank Stanco's Avatar Hank Stanco

            Laurie. Pretty words. But intent is everything.

            In this case Jesus’ heritage comes under question by Muslims to marginalize him as both a man of Jewish heritage and the and the son of God.

            This marginalizing ultimately leads to the argument that Jesus did not exist.

            So while your argument sounds all pretty, there is an underlying intent.

            Thank you for offering your lecture but it is respectfully declined.

      2. dvaunhowe's Avatar dvaunhowe

        do you have the photos of Yeshua's birth? It's up to believers to prove existence. Unless you provide evidence, there is no reason to disregard the null hypothesis: Jesus did not exist. It's not reasonable to expect proof of the negative. For example, can you prove there is no Vishnu, Spaghetti Monster, or "Bob" (praised be his name), Zeus, or any of the other thousand deities invented by people? The foil hat you are seeing just might be in your mirror.

        1. Hank Stanco's Avatar Hank Stanco

          There is plenty of evidence. Roman historians, Alexandrian historians, Jewish historians, Muslim historians, all say Jesus was born, raised, died and rose.

          The problem with deniers is they expect 21st century scientific evidence in a matter that occurred two-thousand years ago.

          We can only conclude that he existed based on the writing of several different societies.

          1. dvaunhowe's Avatar dvaunhowe

            much of the evidence is weak. written after the time of Jesus, authenticity of some is questioned, could just be repeating stories they heard, writings in the 'gospels' and other writings contradictory, etc. But even if he did exist, what is the evidence of the 'magic'?

          2. Rick's Avatar Rick

            Hank, can you provide a link to these?

          3. Glenn Geist's Avatar Glenn Geist

            None of those historians lived during Jesus time. Nobody who knew him wrote anything. Can we then conclude that Heracles existed even though several cultures - even the phoenicians worshiped him - even after he was merged with Melqart, the god of Tyre. the argument is fallacious. But it's moot - the real argument is about Jesus' characteristics all of which are items of faith not history.

          4. Hank Stanco's Avatar Hank Stanco

            dvaunhowe, Rick and Glen. You just proved my point. Thank you.

            Dvaun: the evidence is not weak if one understands that it was the best they had at the time.

            Rick? Link? No. Read a damn book. Philo, Flavius Josephus, and Tacitus come to mind.

            Glen, your argument doesn’t change the fact that there are historians that wrote about Jesus, his life and death, and his followers.

          5. Rev. B.H.'s Avatar Rev. B.H.

            And I can only conclude the Star Wars universe existed based on several different movies.

          6. Hank Stanco's Avatar Hank Stanco

            Rev you may conclude anything you wish.

          7. dvaunhowe's Avatar dvaunhowe

            nope. 'best they had at the time' doesn't mean the sun once went around the earth, or that the earth was once flat. We could have better evidence, if it existed. We are able to study DNA that ten's of thousands of years. We could have eyewitness accounts. We could have archaeological data. We do have texts chosen to be excluded from the bible. 'Best at the time' is an insufficient criterion for truth.

          8. Hank Stanco's Avatar Hank Stanco

            Dvaun:

            “We could have better evidence, if it existed.”

            That’s the point. We don’t.

          9. dvaunhowe's Avatar dvaunhowe

            Given humans' propensity for story-telling, sharing of memes, and quest for the divine, I think your criterion is inadequate.

            In closing, though, I need to say that I have enjoyed and I have benefited from our conversation. Thank you for the time and thought you have shared.

        2. Laurie Cleveland's Avatar Laurie Cleveland

          I don't need posters. Naszerenes had different hair and eye coloration than the typical people in that area. It is documented, but I'll be darned where I put it, but if you belielve in reincarnation and something tells me that you don''t, but I was there living in that time period and knew him quite well. Auburn hair by the time he was an adult and blue or green eyes, Regardless, it doesn't make a difference one way or the other. There was also an account that the "resurrection" was actually done by means of a false back to the original tomb and because of concerns that the Romans would descrate the grave, they moved the body to aniother gravesite altogether. That doesn't negate the fact that he was seen in his light body. Regardless, he had the capacity to be seen as fitting in wherever he went and look like those people because his message was of unconditional love. If he was portrayed as black, pink or purple, it was so his message would be taken seriously by the group of people. It was his message that was important, not superficial looks.

        3. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

          dvaunhowe, I’ve often wondered about the god called Bob (praise be his name). I think he was originally called Rob (praise be his name) but it got changed. His name just didn’t go down well when asking for money to support church funding.

          I’m sure the delusional Hank (cursed be his name) can tell you more about it. He thinks he knows everything.

          ?❤️

          1. Brett's Avatar Brett

            Lion heart, you said in a previous reply you have left religion behind you, especially Christianity. Why then do you insist upon “trolling” your way through the comments on this page? If you have made the choice to leave religion behind you, then just do so and leave others to follow the path of their own choice, move on in a grown up manner instead of a childish one.

          2. dvaunhowe's Avatar dvaunhowe

            thanks for that!!!!

          3. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

            Thank you Brett for your very grown up suggestion. You must be the life and soul at parties.

            In my opinion, religion has caused unsurmountable damage and destruction to so many peoples lives, physically, and emotionally, masqueraded in the name of love.

            I have as much right to bring a sense of humor, and love in some cases, to this blog as you do.

            I do indeed leave others to follow their path, but if I can bring wisdom, in the form of levity, to this blog, with a view to causing others to think about their belief structure, I will do so.

            I don’t wish to cause you any ill feelings if you find any of my crusader comments ill advised, or in poor taste, or just not humorous at all, so please feel free to ignore anything from me on this blog. I don’t want you to think you are forced to read them.

            Peace ✌?

            ?❤️

        4. dvaunhowe's Avatar dvaunhowe

          Hank, I think you need to look closer at that point: You seem to accept that the evidence is weak. Logically, you must accept the possibility that he did not. You believe in his existence because of faith, not reaon. The amount or quality of evidence is irrelevant to faith. Not sure if you accept the validity of science and reason, but you have no need for them, at least in this argument. They do not serve you.

          1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

            You won’t get much logic out of Hank. When he runs of ideas he’ll revert to asking you about chickens and eggs as to which came first.

            ?❤️

          2. Hank Stanco's Avatar Hank Stanco

            I’m must have hurt Lion King’s little feelings. I’m living rent-free in his brain. Lots of insults from him yesterday.

          3. Hank Stanco's Avatar Hank Stanco

            The only thing I accept is that Jesus walked this earth. I also accept that stories were handed down before being memorialized on papyrus.

            I also accept that if several people from different social backgrounds memorialized Christ in different ways with similar testimony, then at the very least, discussion should begin with with the basis that Jesus existed.

          4. Hank Stanco's Avatar Hank Stanco

            I enjoyed it as well. Perhaps another time.

      3. dvaunhowe's Avatar dvaunhowe

        Hi Hank. Thought I was done with this thread, but I have been doing more reading regarding 'historical Jesus', and the evidence thereof, which appears to support his existence in the first century CE. Thanks again for your contributions. Now as to his skin color...(just kidding ;)

        1. Hank Stanco's Avatar Hank Stanco

          Dvaugh I am impressed you decided to research for yourself. I look forward to talking to you again.

    2. Laurie Cleveland's Avatar Laurie Cleveland

      He existed. There is plenty of documentation to prove it, never mind reincarnated testimonies that he existed and what he looked like, but Lionheart, you are correct. It isn't important about what he looked like, but the message of Unconditional Love that he taunght among other things, this being the most important. If He appeared to other groups looking like them so that his message could resonnate with whatever group he appeared to, relly it's 6 of one and 10 of the other. Why we are even having such a superficial discussion is beyond me, but there ya go!

      1. Brett's Avatar Brett

        Lionheart, you delude yourself. You’re not here to be constructive, you’re here to be destructive. Your remarks offer no humour, wise insight, nor any any wisdom. Neither do you leave people to their beliefs, you attempt to belittle. You cause me no I’ll feeling, I just wonder why you insist on trolling through replies and comments, offering what you call, for no apparent reason “crusader” comments on the subject of religion which you claim to have left behind. It would be more constructive to remain silent so that those who wish to be constructive and share genuine insight to a subject they care about, didn’t have to wade through such negative, unsupportive responses.

      2. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

        Oh yesss, reincarnated testimonies, why didn’t I think of that? ?? I never knew you had such a sense of humor Laurie. Thank you.

        But seriously, if you could provide me with the plentiful evidence you make reference to I would appreciate that.

        ?❤️

      3. dvaunhowe's Avatar dvaunhowe

        can you clarify what a 'reincarnated testimony' is?

        1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

          I think you’ll find that my father-in-law was a reincarnation of Pontius Pilat. He could actually tell you everything about Jesus, even the color of his skin and the mole on his left cheek. He would never tell me though where his birth mark was, but swore he had one. This was just before my father-in-law was committed.

          ?❤️

          1. dvaunhowe's Avatar dvaunhowe

            well, I suppose it's better to know the look of Jesus through an in-law than as portrayed in a pattern on toast. I wonder what your father-in-law's, I mean Pilate's, mission was in his latest incarnation. Did he seek forgiveness? acclaim? Was he trying to right a wrong? So many questions. Does he take visitors? Has his soul passed onward?

          2. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

            He did indeed pass on a long time ago. We're all hoping he doesn't reincarnate back to be honest, but when I see comments from Hank, on this blog, I am wondering if he's has already arrived back. There seems to be a very uncanny type of omniscient, illogical behavior.

            ?♥️

          3. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

            This thread made me laugh so hard I nearly passed out from syncope.... ;)

            For a moment I could see demons!! You sir, obviously, are of the Devil!

    3. Woke's Avatar Woke

      There was never a Jesus Christ, or any savior messiah. The myth of Jesus was created by the Roman Flavian empire in order to control rebellious jews that were causing havoc all over Roman territories and trick them into worshipping Caesar, whose works were precisely mirrored in the creation of the new testament fables. Every christian that ever lived has been hoodwinked by a fantasy meant to control people. Look at Joseph Atwill's book Caesar's Messiah. Fascinating read!

      1. Dawn Pisturino's Avatar Dawn Pisturino

        History dictates otherwise. One man's opinion does not discount history.

  1. Hank Stanco's Avatar Hank Stanco

    Scholars aren’t debating this. Anti-Semites are debating this.

    The one thing Muslims desire is to know that the son of God is not a Jew.

    1. James's Avatar James

      We are all the "son / children" of god (love).

      1. Hank Stanco's Avatar Hank Stanco

        J I never said differently. Whether YHWH, God or Allah, it is the same God.

        But there is no love lost between the Jewish and Muslim, especially since the extermination of the Jewish people is what Muslims and, more specifically, Palestinians how to accomplish.

        It’s not a long stretch to understand that Muslims would never accept a Jew as the Son of God.

        1. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

          Yeah.. that too bad... sure is a shame they will all burn in hell - as a result - the tatoo me and my mates in the corps got "Kill 'em all and let God sort them (or 'it') all out!" really is not a fair thing to say... God is getting the easy job! - there is little to none actual sorting that is needing to be done!!!... What a slagger! Makin' me and my mates do all the heavy lifting of the righteous slaughter of the masses so deserving of their lot in life (or, lack thereof! LOL!) 1st Lt. USACE 416th Engineer Command

          1. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

            Jason... Note to self: Stop posting after toking! You sound crazy AND stupid - when in fact you are not both of those things...

        2. Dan Atatakai's Avatar Dan Atatakai

          Hank - Neither do Jewish folks. What is your point?

          1. Hank Stanco's Avatar Hank Stanco

            The point? Muslims are willing to exterminate both the Jewish and those that follow the son of God, who is also Jewish.

      2. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

        j you won’t be able to please Hank. He hates anyone to make any comment on anything he writes. I’ve come to the conclusion he’s a very unhappy Christian that will berate, argue, or try to correct, anyone with a different opinion than his. I’m beginning to wonder what, if anything, being involved with a religion has done for him.

        ?❤️

    2. William Clarence Bass's Avatar William Clarence Bass

      I is as simple as this. The New Testament records more than 10 occasions on which the ministry of Jesus took place in the synagogue. The Gospels record that "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues." NOWHERE, can I find where Jesus went to a mosque! Jesus was born in Bethlehem a city in the Kingdom of Judah! That makes he a JEW!

      1. Hank Stanco's Avatar Hank Stanco

        Well there were no mosques at the time but everything Law you said is spot on. Thanks.

    3. Pastor Dave's Avatar Pastor Dave

      Oh my! Posters are missing the point. The arrival of Christ on earth removed the exclusivity of Jews being God's chosen people. God, Son and Spirit belong to any and all around the world who will accept him. We are ALL God's chosen people. How fantastic is that!

      1. Hank Stanco's Avatar Hank Stanco

        It’s really fantastic Rev Dave, until there’s an AK47 pointed at you because you’re a Christian.

        1. Norma Battes's Avatar Norma Battes

          Hank Stanco May 1, 2019 at 12:41 pm " ...until there’s an AK47 pointed at you... " It wouldn't be a follower of Islam that would do that. Neither would pointing an M-16 at anyone make you a Christian. My point, if too abstruse is, to claim a faith is different than to be a follower. Many claim their faith, few follow.

          1. Hank Stanco's Avatar Hank Stanco

            Well Norma, when is the last time you saw a Christian, any Christian, point a weapon at someone simply because he is a Christian?

            I am aware that many Muslims are peaceful. Yet, how many of those good Muslims speak out against those violent members of those religions?

          2. Norma Battes's Avatar Norma Battes

            " ...when is the last time you saw a Christian, any Christian, point a weapon at someone simply because he is a Christian? " By the Grace of God, never. Continuing, besides being a confusing statement, yours is a pointless argument. Any Christian, or any Muslim, that murders in the name of their "God" is not a faithful follower of their religion. A "Christian" that points a weapon is not a Christian!

            " ...how many of those good Muslims speak out against those violent members of those religions? " Let's allow your deflection, again. True followers of Islam speak. They condemn radical interpretations of the teachings of the Quran. They have stated that violence and murderous acts by radicals are themselves not true Muslims. The God of Islam proclaims that life, above all else is a sacred right,- the right to live.

            Be enlightened. I suggest you read the Quran, or at least the parts that pertain to any of your misguided interpretations of the hate-talk of the Islamophobes.

            P.S. Make note: It is Pastor Dave, not Reverend.

            bye felicia

  1. Joe's Avatar Joe

    Man made God in his own image.

    1. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

      Wow! If I was created in God's image - then God has a very impressive schlong for a guy who never has any actual sex with females!! LOL (The immaculate conception was not sex, by definition, btw...)

      1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

        My sister tried to use the same immaculate conception thing, but mom wouldn't accept it, and worse still, no one else believed her. All I can assume is that Joseph was incredibly gullible, but not only that, others amazingly started to believe him, big time. My moms family were obviously not from the same culturally feeble minded stock and so the baby was adopted. It was a girl, so she was onto a loser anyway. No gold, frankincense and myrrh for her.

        Let's not always forget that the sex is determined by the male, so X-Y chromosomes make a male, and ribs make a girl (just kidding, thats another fallacy that some will believe). So the god guy had to make sure his immaculate chromosomes were X-Y. This info is for those whose ancestral DNA come from Josephs stock. If they believe in the immaculate conception they'll believe anything!

        ?♥️

        1. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

          Sir LionHeart, please tell your sister that I think she is AWESOME... Most women in her position who must lie (or choose to lie) select "I was raped!" (By some guy, not by God.) Your sis punched upwards and blamed God, instead of falsely accusing some poor innocent guy or some disadvantaged minority group... She did not risk ruining anyone's life but her own! (And, of course, her child's - but the conservatives in our society only cares about unborn fetuses, so what happens to the baby girl doesn't enter into their calculusa...) So she is one righteous chick in my eyes! [If one alleges she has loose morals or is a s##t.. well those are bonus points in my book... lol)

          We each have a type of need that we feel called to help... For some, it's hunger - other's it is lil' animals... For me, I feel called to help women afflicted with demons such as: low self esteem,or the proverbial "daddy issues", substance abuse disorders, certain risk taking tendencies - I have always wanted to help unwed mothers... I mean, you know, helping them get their start! LOL Wish I could have helped your sis!

          Peace!

          [Some Credit is due to Steve Martin circa 1975 for the 'helping unwed mother get her start innuendo...']

          1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

            The happy ending of that saga was that she married the father of that child, had two more children, and then her daughter, that was adopted out of wedlock, managed to find who her mom was years later and they were all reunited. All three of those children now have families of their own and they are all living happily ever after, so I guess I should have started my previous writing with “Once Upon A Time”. ?

            Thank you for your friendly comments. ✌?

            ?❤️

          2. JASON D BENDER's Avatar JASON D BENDER

            After reading you additional post with your sisters beautiful extended backstory - I regret putting my praise of your sister into the same post as my sophomoric attempt at humor... As I came of age during the "battle of the sexes" era - mild misogyny seems funny to me - and mostly is intended ironically...

            Fortunately, as you are whip smart and no stranger to the art of irony and satire, you were able to correctly interpret the positive sentiments I intended!

        2. Cay Raymond's Avatar Cay Raymond

          Immaculate Conception concerns Mary, not Jesus.

        3. Marisa's Avatar Marisa

          I stand by earlier comment - you are just silly, and that is being kind.

          1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

            Actually Marisa, let me tell you what’s silly: A talking ass, a talking snake, man coming from one woman and one man 6000 or 7000 years ago, a woman being created from the rib of a man, a woman being turned to salt by a mythical deity, a virgin giving birth, and there are many more. But, the silliest of all these? People believing it!

            So, bottom line, my silly comments pale in significance to the things that you more than likely believe in that fictional book.

            While ever people believe in these silly things Marisa I’ll continue to post other silly things to highlight how silly people can be.

            Thank you for additionally posting silly things, that you believe, on this blog.

            ?❤️

            1. Åndy★Lion's Avatar Åndy★Lion

              Lol and it will continue to seem silly to you as long as you read scripture with out using Aramaic to cross reference the use and context of how the word is being used in English which you probably only have a childs understanding of as well. 🍞†🍷

          2. Hank Stanco's Avatar Hank Stanco

            Hey Lion

            https://www.livescience.com/38613-genetic-adam-and-eve-uncovered.html

  1. Valdis's Avatar Valdis

    He was a Semite, and Semites have olive toned skin, darker hair and eyes. It’s totally reasonable that he looked much like an Arab.

    1. William Clarence Bass's Avatar William Clarence Bass

      He was born in Bethlehem a city in the Kingdom of Judah. He was a JEW!

      1. Aline Rich-Rodgers's Avatar Aline Rich-Rodgers

        I totally agree, Jesus was a Jew, the bible tells us this so if we believe in the bible we have to know that.

      2. John Bass's Avatar John Bass

        The Jews lived in Canaan which is roughly today's modern day Israel. They were nomadic herders and lived among the Canaanites and Philistines. So he could have been brown skinned and dark eyed. Doesn't change anything really, he is our Lord!

    2. Glenn Geist's Avatar Glenn Geist

      Semite refers to a language group, not a race. Arabs were not in the Galilee or in Judea until the 7th century AD. This is like saying I'm an American so I must wear feathers in my hair. In Jesus time Israel had been occupied by Greeks and Romans for many centuries and people from other cultures lived amongst them for more centuries. There is no way to tell what he looked like, or anything else about him for that matter. Can you tell me for sure he wasn't descended from Roman Jews, or Greek Jews or Spanish or French Jews of his period? This is political claptrap with no validity.

    3. Mj's Avatar Mj

      I feel the different depictions of Jesus represents the people of the region they are in. This is done so people feel connected to “their” Jesus. Most likely Jesus had dark skin, brown eyes and dark hair according to where he was from historically. Jesus looks fine in any color hair, eyes, clothes for connection for the individuals in the region he is serving. I know he was kind, loving and for all souls no matter what he looked like

      1. David Zimmerman's Avatar David Zimmerman

        I like your post. Amazing 2019 years AD we still discuss One Name, Jesus: Who was this Man, Divine, Incarnate Son of God!! Amen.

      2. Donna's Avatar Donna

        I agree!

      3. Mary C's Avatar Mary C

        Amen.

      4. Jean Bakula's Avatar Jean Bakula

        What a great answer! Does it really matter what Jesus looked like? I love the idea that everyone has their own idea of what that was, and feel represented by "their" Jesus!

    4. Pastor Dave's Avatar Pastor Dave

      My Jesus, like my friends, has no color. I see the soul which transcends physical form. And as I see it we are all God's chosen people.

      1. Mick's Avatar Mick

        Right on! It doesn’t matter what he looked like, he is the Savior of all...

      2. Kelly W's Avatar Kelly W

        Who cares what he looked like? His messages had no color and were for everyone

      3. Wayne's Avatar Wayne

        Well said

    5. Pastor Jim's Avatar Pastor Jim

      Jesus was Hebrew a Jew. Olive skin ,black eyes and hair. He would naturally get darker the more he was in the sun.

      1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

        Was his hair parting in the middle or to one side?

        Did he wear any type of natural sun block?

        I’m in absolute awe that some of you guys know so much about him, when there is very little evidence that he even existed. But anyway, I digress, does anyone know what make, or type, of sandals he wore, and did he wash his own dress?

        ?❤️

        1. Marisa's Avatar Marisa

          You are just silly.

        2. Herman R Taliaferro's Avatar Herman R Taliaferro

          He worn none in the concept you have as sandals. That came in time. Depending upon your race, look at the palms of your hands.

    6. Rick's Avatar Rick

      A careful read of the book of Numbers aptly describes Jesus Christ's lineage. There is no doubt that He is of Jewish decent. Truly He came to bear witness of His heavenly Father, who has no origin, who is not, Jewish. The color of his skin has no relevance. In a similar fashion the color of our skin has no relevance in the eyes of God. Our Spirit has no color, If you have the Holy Ghost within your color is pure. Since the beginning of time man guided by evil, disguised as vanity have built walls of misconception to drive us from the feet of the one who sacrificed His life for us.

    7. Herman R Taliaferro's Avatar Herman R Taliaferro

      You have a problem in your assessment. 1st, you are not talking about one(1) JESUS but two(2). JESUS CHRIST and CHRIST JESUS as was with ADAM, ADAM#1 and ADAM#2. 5his is a major decision needed made to conclude your understands of BIBLICAL TRUTHS. Now, as far as THE CHRIST JESUS of the two, he was without question far darkened, BLACK, in his skin color as was the exterior ADAM#1 and ADAM#2. I WILL NOT ENTER WHAT TRIBE.

Leave a Comment

When leaving your comment, please:

  • Be respectful and constructive
  • Criticize ideas, not people
  • Avoid profanity, insults, and derogatory comments

To view the full code of conduct governing these comment sections, please visit this page.

Not ordained yet? Hit the button below to get started. Once ordained, log in to your account to leave a comment!
Don't have an account yet? Create Account