He was born in Jerusalem over 2000 years ago. He would have been olive or dark skinned. Does that go to show that Americans are very ignorant or conceited to think that he was white?
2006-11-05 06:40:49 · 26 answers · asked by jasmalha 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Americans? the first paintings of Jesus were in Italy.
and artist paint what they know.
2006-11-05 06:44:18 · answer #1 · answered by Hannah's Grandpa 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
I think it has a lot to do with most Christians being caucasian, as well as Catholicism (pretty much the earliest LARGE religion to show Jesus' image) became more widely spread after reaching Rome, which was full of mostly white people. It has nothing to do with Americans, point in fact, as most of the Europeans to settle in America were raised to see Jesus as a white man already. For a long time ago, most Christians, mostly white folk, wouldn't have even considered that Jesus was NOT WHITE. *sarcastic gasp*
Doesn't really matter to me what color he was; black, white, yellow, red. He's Jesus!! As long as he ain't purple or green.. cuz that'd just be weird.
2006-11-05 06:47:50 · answer #2 · answered by Suraya 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dear Jasmalla,
The fact of the matter is that you are seeing the disobedience of man. The Bible tells us in Deuteronomy 5 and Exodus 20 that we (man) is not to make any image of God.... To draw a picture or make a statue of the Lord Jesus is sin, rebellion against God. You have probably heard of the movie "The Passion of Christ"? Anyone who went to view that movie broke the commandment of God. Do you understand how sinful we all are? Jesus Christ was a Jew and most likely resembled a typical Israelite.
The work that Jesus did for His children-the elect or sheep-was the most wonderful gift that ever could be given.
2006-11-05 06:51:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What does Americans have to do with it ? The Artists who depicted Christ as White were French, Italian, and Dutch, and did their Painting before America was even thought of.
Now.......I do indeed concede the Point that Jesus is not Caucasian. He is a Jew from Israel, He is Semitic, as you said, dark skinned.
2006-11-05 06:53:03 · answer #4 · answered by Minister 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nobody is ignorant for thinking that he was white, and for that matter i dont think that anyone thinks that he was white.. Jesus is a jew which would make him not exactly white.... I have often wondered the same thing before, Jesus i'm sure looks nothing like the photos of him they are thought up and made by man... Who knows who made the first photo? And who knows why they made him look the way that they did and still do... I guess we'll never know what he really looks like until judgement day...
2006-11-05 06:46:27 · answer #5 · answered by Ash 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Most of the images were made by Europeans during the Renaissance period - a long time before there was a US. Look at all the women in the paintings, they all like something from a Rembrandt or Rubens painting and have no resemblance to people in the Middle East. Let's face it, no one knows what Christ looked like any more than any one knows what his mother looked like - her images are all idealized versions as well.
2006-11-05 06:46:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, first...it isn't an american phenomena. The paintings I saw over there were the same. The area had light and dark skinned people...all kinds of shades in between. Italians are olive skinned and they are the home of the hugest faith. I think the whiteness is a sign of purity....
2006-11-05 06:46:31 · answer #7 · answered by TCFKAYM 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no it goes to showhow cultures will try to dominate themselves in any mannor possible. Americans themselves didnt come up with the idea that Jesus was white. That came from the Catholic Church long before USA was founded. Your correct that he most definatly should not appear as a fair skinned white child but you cant chage the masses
2006-11-05 06:47:57 · answer #8 · answered by jubei_ryu 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it goes to show the ignorance of Christians in general. Science proves that the people from that region were Dark/Olive skinned.
Oh Wait, he must have been the only Albino ARAB. But the bible doesn't mention a damn thing about Albinos so apparently they don't exist nor did the dinosaurs.
2006-11-05 06:46:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well Jesus is Middle Eastern and there are a a lot of light skinned middle easterns. I remember when I watched the world cup game of Mexico vs. Iran I was so surprised because all the Mexicans were SO dark and the Iranians were SOOO light!! The pictures of Jesus look Middle Eastern. No one knows what he looked like anyways though, so it really doesn't matter.
2006-11-05 06:45:31 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
have seen portraits of HIM as a Native American, Black, Hispanic, etc. which really pleased me. after all who can believe JESUS was Caucasian as HE was born as you say in Jerusalem. Couldn't care less about HIS appearance as HIS actions and words were more important than HIS appearance.
2006-11-05 06:58:33 · answer #11 · answered by Marvin R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋