Letters to the editor

What is wrong with the Jesus bomber cartoon? Nothing, really, but it’s something for Christians to cry about so they look busy. I’ll bet none of your local Christians are picketing against hunger in the streets, depression and marginalization among those whom Christians have denounced, or the lack of support/affordable housing/food assistance/educational assistance/daycare/medical care among women who might otherwise bear the child from an unexpected pregnancy but can’t figure out how they would ever support their child.

Frankly, I don’t think Jesus would be bothered by the cartoon. After all, he hasn’t been bothered when modern American Christians have turned Him into an errand boy, on-call healer, sports coach, war fog, ATM or hitman. I’m sick of television shows where someone hits the home makeover jackpot and screams “praise Jesus.” I’m sick of wannabe America’s Next Top Models who are selfish and unkind, but walk around using Jesus like he’s an emotional battering ram or psychological screen that will hide everything ugly and unholy in their own life.

Modern Christianity is hugely popular because everybody loves the Jesus slot machine: Put in your offering and pray for a jackpot. It seems that very few "believers" (if any) give their offering simply because they are grateful, it’s like the Lucky Lotto with a crown of thorns.

I moved to Denver in 1979 to attend a conservative Baptist Bible institute, and graduated valedictorian. Not bad for a confused gay kid from California. I was married for six years and worked in churches during that time. Actually, being married and in Bible college saved my life, because AIDS showed up and ravaged the gay community during that time.

The big, rich, suburban church I attended had no reach; 5,000 members on the rolls and a 4.25 million annual budget. The Sunday fashion show and we-are-blessed self-congratulations are elating if you’re in the church, but four miles away where people are in need, not a peep.

My favorite question to ask American Christians is, "What other religions did you explore before deciding Christianity is the answer?"

The only answer I’ve ever received: "None." It’s all tradition. Most Christians haven’t even read the Bible. Most Christians aren’t willing to question and debate Christianity. Check out Julia Sweeney’s revelation at www.thisamericanlife.org (episode 290). The former “Saturday Night Live” star knocks it out of the park as she questions some of the absurdity she finds in the Bible and receives even more absurd answers from her church spiritual guide.

What I found most creepy about the Jesus cartoon are the Little Orphan Annie eyeholes. I think if Jesus were alive today, he would probably wear a bomb belt and a detonator – to the biggest, most pious and misleading churches in the world. That might get him heard in Melodyland, the Crystal Cathedral, even Liberty Baptist Church or any of dozens of Texas mega-churches (whose "culture of life" happens to include living in the state with the most state executions).

I was just going to write and congratulate you on your ample "cojones," but I decided to rail and rant. So before I forget, congratulations on your ample cojones.

Steve Cruz
Denver, CO

 

Young man – you certainly have the "right" to publish whatever offensive material you choose to publish – but as a former editor of a college newspaper I found your decision to offend the majority religion in the U.S. (Christianity) … and the minority religion in the U.S. (Islam) in keeping with the "liberal" stance of your paper, your university and your state. Of course, I would expect you to print similar insults for gays, lesbians, transsexuals and minority students on your campus – right!

Your choice was and is simply in poor judgment and poor taste. To be rude, crude and vulgar seems to suit the current crop of overly pampered and coddled university elite – from the faculty to the administrators to the students. Enjoy – a reality test will come soon – it’s called "graduation."

Simply sad, and of course offended,
Rev. Don Wright

 

I thought the paper’s cartoon of Jesus as a terrorist was outstanding in provoking discussion of the recent similar cartoon of Muhammad. This may help Christians understand why the Muslim community was so outraged about the cartoon that offended them. It is also a great study of freedom of the press. Your student paper is to be commended for such cutting-edge material.

Keep up the great job!!!
Ms. Anita Shagena
Retired government teacher

 

First, I would like to thank the Vanguard for having the courage to publish the cartoon, “How to start a riot, part II.” Second, I would like to thank KOIN for following up on this story, although I think you should have worked a little harder to balance out reactions, which is why I am writing to let you know I fully support the cartoonist.

And third, I would like to point out that anyone with a brain understands it is a cartoon and a very clever one at that.

Lately everybody is afraid to have a different opinion or speak up except, perhaps, this cartoonist. It is a shame that he has to worry about intense overreactions, when it is obvious his goal was to stimulate discussion and more thoughtful reflection.

Yes, making fun of something can be as touchy and uncomfortable as wearing someone else’s shoes (which more people should try), but so what? The best thing about this cartoon is that it makes everyone a little uncomfortable.

The young man you interviewed who objected to the cartoon seems to have missed the whole point. The cartoonist’s satire was meant to harpoon the Christians who have so easily dismissed the Muslims. It is showing the Muslims that the West is not persecuting them, we make fun of ourselves as well. Our culture, for the time being, still allows free speech and thought.

It also was not too far off in pointing out that Christians might have rioted given a similar caricature or other equivalent inspiration.

As you know, The Associated Press reported that on Thursday, Christians in southern Nigeria did riot, attacking Muslims and also burning their mosques and homes – all in the name of God, of course, in an attempt to get rid of the pesky Muslims "who start all these problems," as Christian rioter was quoted in that article.

One look at this world and you would have to assume that God would not be offended by the cartoon. I am pretty sure s/he would be offended, however, by the Iraq war and the Bush administration. But that’s just my take. After all, any being who created this mess must have started with a sense of humor. My advice to that student? Quit reading the comics and hit the books like you should have been doing.

Elizabeth Madrigal

 

I seem to recall that, not too long ago, a cartoon appeared in the paper, and some folks got all upset. They felt the comic was offensive, and they demanded an apology, some kind of punishment for the cartoonist, and shouted and hollered, and marched in the streets. They ranted and raved and carried on, filling the papers and airwaves and placards and handbills with their vitriol.

Now, here’s where this story diverges from what’s been going on in the Middle East and elsewhere. Here, things won’t escalate to killing and riots and impassioned acts of violence in the name of a revered religion. The most we’ll see is some shout-show host like Sean Hannity or other Fox News neo-cons squawk a lot, maybe there will be a few prayer meetings, or a even peaceful protest by picketers.

No matter what the shouters may say about the Jesus cartoon, you were right to print it. The cartoon made me laugh, not because I’m some kind of a rotten, anti-Christian or sinful person, but rather because the comic made a point – and made it brilliantly.

Unlike the brouhaha raised by the Danish cartoons printed in European papers, we can say (and draw) what we darned well please, and there isn’t going to be violence in the streets about it.

Perhaps those same shout-show hosts and other folks who have a case of the "how-dare-you’s" about this issue or that should pay more attention to what’s been happening abroad. And maybe the folks who are all in an uproar overseas should compare their own actions to our take on something like this. Maybe both would learn to appreciate that people need not fear literate discourse about even the most cherished aspects of our cultures.

 

Mark S.
Huntington, W.V.

 

What a genius cartoon. Miel’s comics are the best part of the Vanguard (no offense to the other parts). You have a true national-level talent working for your paper.

 

Alexis Madrigal

 

Personally, I fell it’s about damn time. People around the globe have been in an uproar over the Muhammad cartoon, and many Muslims blame the Jews (an Iranian newspaper is holding a contest for the best cartoon about the Holocaust being a story, not fact), but really it’s many Christians that target Muslims for hate crimes and label them as terrorists. Finally someone who noticed this fact is speaking up and I support this person

 

Adam
Student, Chicago

 

Re: Jesus as a suicide bomber. Sorry guys. Not funny. Not clever. Not intelligent. Not applicable.

Pat Hyde

 

I caught the story about your newspaper and the picture –

I’m from Detroit, and I work in an area here in Cali where a lot of people reside who outwardly express their Muslim faith. Being raised Catholic, (though not a successfully indoctrinated one), I say that I appreciate your nalgas for publishing the picture and opening up the discussion on a grassroots level here at home. I have a lot of respect for the purported character of Jesus and Muhammad, based simply on the legacy inspired by the core tenets that governed and guided them (and others like them).

I feel that though it is understandable for people to get upset by imagery or discussion that enflames or unsettles them, that ultimately it is discourse, not violence, that is still the best means of communicating your disgust. But, without a platform that allows you to express yourself with resound, violence is an ever effective and efficient means with which to display anger and chaos. This is a pitfall of the globalization of the world and the media. Long live free expression.

 

Gus
Oakland, Calif.

 

The picture of Christ as a terrorist is disturbing. However, I will remain un-judgmental. That is his job after all. Despite that I find the picture horrendous still proves, however, what a great country we live in. That someone could post such a heinous piece of work and not risk any chastisement from anyone other than fellow Christians like myself. Oh – there is Judgment Day that the "artist" will have to contend with. May God bless you anyway.

 

Jodie
Texas

 

This is a transparent effort to draw attention to your paper.

That you used a caricature of Jesus smiling and with a bomb strapped to his chest is an idea that someone in Denmark came up with first.

Try to be a bit more original in your efforts to start problems with Christians. We are not offended by your cartoon. We feel sorry for you.

You are lacking in originality and desperately seeking attention.

Christians are taught to hate the sin but love the sinner. I will pray for you, as I’m sure many other Christians will do.

 

Minerva Burns
Texas