Is God A "white Man" In A Robe?

[theocritus]

God is going to be presented how the presenter wants to show him. They are all correct because God is all in my opinion. Personally I don't view "God" as a him or her. My own preferred term is "source" and I see it every where. Looking in the mirror, at my children, or nature I see source.

Should an image be pushed on to others as the only option? No. If some one sees the euro-centric image and ask: Is that God? The proper answer: That is my view of God.

/theo
as you think, so shall you be

 

[YO-ELEVEN-11]

I agree, unless you are suggesting that we ban them (and I think both have been in the past). I thought Malcolm X was great. The book, the movie, and the man. I also think that Mark Twain was trying to say something beyond the obvious in his writings.

I'm truly sorry if I offended you. I did not mean to. I see art (I include literature) as a kind of roadmap of the ages. It points to history. I agree with you that Huck Finn should not be presented to children because of the nature of the language. But you know, think of who the real hero in that book was.

And I was not equating it in any way with any holy book.

And I can't seem to put cigarette ads in the same category as the human individual who tries to express something regarding the realm of the Spiritual.

I gotta go cook some dinner, and I'm not sure that I have said things very well here. But I thought I should make an attempt. After all, I did open that can of worms, didn't I? (Not for dinner, you understand.)

InPeace,
InLove

GOD BLESS

 

[YO-ELEVEN-11]

God is going to be presented how the presenter wants to show him. They are all correct because God is all in my opinion. Personally I don't view "God" as a him or her. My own preferred term is "source" and I see it every where. Looking in the mirror, at my children, or nature I see source.

Should an image be pushed on to others as the only option? No. If some one sees the euro-centric image and ask: Is that God? The proper answer: That is my view of God.

/theo
as you think, so shall you be

WoW, very profound and insightful.
I am close to your age (in the 30's though) but, your words make me question if I am younger or older than you.

 

[YO-ELEVEN-11]

A mirror, a perfect creation, reflection. Eachness in the allness.

Wil, like said before , you never cease to amaze me.
You have got a true gift for bringing people together.
Do not waste it. I suggest that you share it and pass that sharing on to others.

 

[China Cat Sunflower]

I'm sorely tempted to go off on an extended rant about the importance of freedom of speech and expression...but I won't.

I don't recall ever seeing an image of God except in cartoons and other obviously humorous caricatures where he is depicted as an old white dude in a robe. I've conversed with a number of people who insist that God is male, but I never got the impression that they had a clear image in mind of what he looks like.

I'm never quite sure which God people are talking about: not which of many, but which level. It doesn't seem possible not to anthropomorphise God and still communicate anything about what IT might be, so I guess some mental image/idol is unavoidable. I think it's important to remember that whatever we use to represent God isn't God Itself. With that firmly in mind I don't see anything wrong with representing IT any way we find meaningful.

Chris

 

[Quahom1]

"Our Pilot". I asked earlier. Just curious.

Believe it or not, in an Admiral's office...just a few years ago.

v/r

Q

 

[Quahom1]

I'm sorely tempted to go off on an extended rant about the importance of freedom of speech and expression...but I won't.

I don't recall ever seeing an image of God except in cartoons and other obviously humorous caricatures where he is depicted as an old white dude in a robe. I've conversed with a number of people who insist that God is male, but I never got the impression that they had a clear image in mind of what he looks like.

I'm never quite sure which God people are talking about: not which of many, but which level. It doesn't seem possible not to anthropomorphise God and still communicate anything about what IT might be, so I guess some mental image/idol is unavoidable. I think it's important to remember that whatever we use to represent God isn't God Itself. With that firmly in mind I don't see anything wrong with representing IT any way we find meaningful.

Chris

Chris,

I just can't seem to bring myself to considering God as "erotic" in display. That's all. I never said pictures of such should not be presented, only that I found the one present by Yo, to be, disturbing. That's all.

I'm not going to change my thinking on it, but ne're did I say get rid of it. I simply expressed my own damn opinion on something...

v/r

Q

 

[China Cat Sunflower]

Chris,

I just can't seem to bring myself to considering God as "erotic" in display. That's all. I never said pictures of such should not be presented, only that I found the one present by Yo, to be, disturbing. That's all.

I'm not going to change my thinking on it, but ne're did I say get rid of it. I simply expressed my own damn opinion on something...

v/r

Q

Right on brutha, nothing wrong with expressing one's opinion that I can see.

I take your point about the Mohammed caricatures. I actually thought the one where his turban was a bomb hit the nail squarely on the head.

Chris

 

[YO-ELEVEN-11]

I agree, unless you are suggesting that we ban them (and I think both have been in the past

Inlove, you have a life that is GLOURIOUIS.
To be able to cook diner is proof engouh.
GOD BLESS

I thought Malcolm X was great. The book, the movie, and the man. I also think that Mark Twain was trying to say something beyond the obvious in his writings. I'm truly sorry if I offended you. I did not mean to. I see art (I include literature) as a kind of roadmap of the ages. It points to history. I agree with you that Huck Finn should not be presented to children because of the nature of the language. But you know, think of who the real hero in that book was.And I was not equating it in any way with any holy book.

Inlove, you have a life that is GLOURIOUIS.
To be able to cook diner is proof engouh.
GOD BLESS

I gotta go cook some dinner, and I'm not sure that I have said things very well here. But I thought I should make an attempt. After all, I did open that can of worms, didn't I? (Not for dinner, you understand.)

NO OFINSE TAKEN

 

[YO-ELEVEN-11]

Chris,

I just can't seem to bring myself to considering God as "erotic" in display. That's all. I never said pictures of such should not be presented, only that I found the one present by Yo, to be, disturbing. That's all.

I'm not going to change my thinking on it, but ne're did I say get rid of it. I simply expressed my own damn opinion on something...

v/r

Q

Q," Erotic " is a term resvered for the eye beholer.
GOd BLESS

You express your opinon and that is what I was looking for,

 

[wil]

Really wil...A muslim fanatic declares death to all who defame Muhammad?

Gee, perhaps we should declare death to all who threaten our very existence...no? Not politically correct I suppose.

The question is why do why draw conclusions on the fanatics?

Christian fanatics KKK burn crosses, hang innocents because of their race and religion....surely you don't want to be put in that barrel, just because they quote from the same book?

More than one 'Christian' has expressed the solution to the 'problem' is to drop a nuke and turn the whole area to glass. And the nerve of them to have our oil under thier soil.

We need to start using the same lens on ourselves that we so glorioiusly point at others.

Do we know what wanted dead or alive means...and how does that differ? Are we not trying to elimnate our perceived 'infidels'?

 

[Quahom1]

The question is why do why draw conclusions on the fanatics?

Christian fanatics KKK burn crosses, hang innocents because of their race and religion....surely you don't want to be put in that barrel, just because they quote from the same book?

More than one 'Christian' has expressed the solution to the 'problem' is to drop a nuke and turn the whole area to glass. And the nerve of them to have our oil under thier soil.

We need to start using the same lens on ourselves that we so glorioiusly point at others.

Do we know what wanted dead or alive means...and how does that differ? Are we not trying to elimnate our perceived 'infidels'?

Maybe it is because we seem to be about 1000 years ahead of some concerning fanaticism and putting it under wraps...

Frankly I fail to see the "impact" other fanatics have world wide over what we are seeing world wide today by a particular group of self righteous religious liars (just like the KKK, they can't even follow the truth of their own holy book, but just make up the rules that suit them, for their own power and benefit). But unlike the KKK, they have taken it "world wide", and intend to go even more wide spread.

I personally am not trying to eliminate anyone I think is stupid for death or on a power kick...just want to keep them away from my family and my community, and my country.

By the way, the term "infidel" includes...you and yours too as far as they're concerned...

v/r

Q

 

[cavalier]

Maybe it is because we seem to be about 1000 years ahead of some concerning fanaticism and putting it under wraps...

Just a thought, after centuries of going to new territories and forcing people to convert to Christianity, after becomming the world's most powerful religion, does Christianity need to be as fanatical now?

 

[InLove]

Believe it or not, in an Admiral's office...just a few years ago.

I had a feeling....if I go sailing, I want to sail with One who can calm a nasty storm, or when necessary, show me the way through it.

 

[InLove]

Inlove, you have a life that is GLOURIOUIS.
To be able to cook diner is proof engouh.
GOD BLESS

Isn't it amazing, YO, how much we find in literature and life concerning "dinner"? I mean, hungry people have to set aside differences and misunderstandings in order to share a meal. Lots of forgiveness around the dinner table--that is, if we are to have nourishment.

I have spent more than a few months of my lifetime in the kitchen (often barefoot and pregnant), but it never kept me from exploring the woods when no one but GOD, whatever "He" looks like, was watching. <----Do you think GOD ever wears sunglasses?

InPeace,
InLove

 

[path_of_one]

Finally got a chance to look at all the images. The female Christ doesn't bother me at all, any more than I normally am saddened by the image of the Christ on the cross. I don't think it was done to evoke eroticism- that is not my impression- but I guess it could evoke eroticism in some men. The naked female form is erotic to a lot of men no matter the circumstances. Personally, though, I've always thought of God and the eternal Christ as gender-neutral, though Jesus brings to mind a Jewish man.

My favorite was the hands holding the baby. I wish I had a link to a larger version of it or knew where to buy a print. My mother would love that for her house. I also really liked the black Jesus with outstretched hands.

I'll share a few images that I love when I think of God...

"The Eye of God"

I don't know what the title of this piece is, but I love it. It makes me think of the Earth Mother trying to heal humanity. When I think of depictions, God is as often female as male to me. And I have no issues with nudity- the human body is a beautiful gift and part of God's creation. It is as much God as anything else for me.

I found this as a postcard when I was shopping in a flea market in southern France about ten years ago. It was entitled "The Spirit."

One of my favorite images of God is a black and white photograph my husband took about four years ago in the Eastern Sierras. There are clear rays of light spilling over the High Sierras and illuminating a valley known as Paradise. Light is associated with God for me and any interesting light evokes a depiction of the Creator in my mind.

I'm currently working on a pen and ink of a woman who is a tree (sort of dryad idea) holding a bird's nest with a bird in it. It's a concept I had of the Earth Mother.

So my depictions of God run the gamut from human of various cultures (pretty much anything that depicts love and caring to completely nature.

 

[YO-ELEVEN-11]

Isn't it amazing, YO, how much we find in literature and life concerning "dinner"? I mean, hungry people have to set aside differences and misunderstandings in order to share a meal. Lots of forgiveness around the dinner table--that is, if we are to have nourishment.

I have spent more than a few months of my lifetime in the kitchen (often barefoot and pregnant), but it never kept me from exploring the woods when no one but GOD, whatever "He" looks like, was watching. <----Do you think GOD ever wears sunglasses?

InPeace,
InLove

More like night vision googles to see those dark spots in our life.

 

[YO-ELEVEN-11]

NO OFINSE TAKEN

WoW look at that.. Guess staying up late does not help. Spelling gets all twisted. I ment no "offense" taken, but lack of sleep made it "ofinse".. Guess my degree really does not help me much....Kinda like somebody I'v seen on TV who has had a hard time with words...lol

 

[inhumility]

Having been raised in america, every image that was presented to me as GOD and for that matter (Jesus) have been of a "White male" with long hair and a beard and Euro-centric facial and body features.
If I were to come from a place that knew nothing of GOD or any other diety, Would it be "ok" to present this image of GOD or any other diety as
Euro-centric, Asian, or any other race?
My question: Is GOD a "White Male" with long hair and a white beard with Euro-centric facial and body features?
Any thoughts?

God has created everything and is beyond any physical human apprehension. The colors have also been created by God and he is far from any such colors, his being and color is of attributes without a blemish through which we apprehend Him. He is also beyond having any pairs like the humans have as male or female which system has been designed by him for our reproduction only. To understand Him I quote from The Holy Quran: Chapter 112: Al-Ikhlas

[112:1] In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.
[112:2] Say 'He is Allah, the One!
[112:3] Allah the Independent and Besought of all.
[112:4] 'He begets not, nor, is He begotten,
[112:5] And there is none like unto Him​

Unquote
Thanks

 

[17th Angel]

Having been raised in america, every image that was presented to me as GOD and for that matter (Jesus) have been of a "White male" with long hair and a beard and Euro-centric facial and body features.


If I were to come from a place that knew nothing of GOD or any other diety, Would it be "ok" to present this image of GOD or any other diety as
Euro-centric, Asian, or any other race?


My question: Is GOD a "White Male" with long hair and a white beard with Euro-centric facial and body features?

Any thoughts?

Is your god a white man? If race and colour didn't matter, then who cares what colour your god was? Only if you care about colour and race and see some kind of stupid pride in one being better than the other would you care what your god looked like... A: The bible tells you NO man has seen god. So how can anyone answer what colour he is? Could be brightpink with green spots and twenty seven arms for all you know. And they call him "the father" how can a woman be the father... But meh, whatever.

The description you give is of jesus... Not god, and nah jesus wouldn't have been white would he... he'd of been tanned skin... Also if he was such a perfect human he'd been built and strong. Not like this image you get of some little weasly weakling.

I would of thought it more important to dwell on the lessons your god teaches you more than his appearance... but thats just my thoughts.... *shruggs*