Why are christians so disrespectful to Jesus (peace be upon him)?

Question

Whenever I pass through a church, I see some ugly pictures that the christians claim that it is Jesus (p.b.u.h.). Every picture is different not everyone of them the same.
Also, in the movies, Why is some film-star playing the role of Jesus (p.b.u.h.), no matter how pious and great the person is, still it is disrespectful to Jesus (p.b.u.h.), because he was one of the GREATEST people who ever lived on earth.....
I wonder why would the christian do this.....
Who took the picture of him some 2000 years ago so that it can be prooved that really Jesus looked like those pictures hanging in the church???
And same thing about Mary..........
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P.S. I am not being rude to anyone, this is just a question that floats through my mind every single time I pass through a church.
And if anyone lives in US, they know there are a lot of churches, and that is what makes me curious.
Thanks for the answers and comments

wow.......
Why some of the answers go back to Islam..
I am not relating anything to this issue........
I just a have a question in my mind that I would like to find an appropriate answer.
Is that how christians should deal with someone who needs help people???????????????????
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Really guys I am too surprised to hear people taking it back to Islam...........

Answer 1

Everyone has a different view of what Jesus looks like

God Bless You

Answer 2

There are Christians who do not believe in having any icons or
images of Jesus at all whatsoever. I hope one day that you
find a church like that. I've been looking for a long time.
They are mostly the independent baptist sects.

It is too obvious from the new testament that Jesus could not
have been a long haired, dress-wearing "european" looking
man. You are correct to say that it is disrespectful.

The reason for this disrespect is not about the bodily appearance
of Jesus, but a disrespect for the scripture.
Commentary about scripture is held as the equal of scripture
itself. Depicting Jesus in any way violates the second of the
ten commandments not to make graven images.

The disrespect is the result of ignorance.
There are Christians who believe the second commandment.

Answer 3

No need to say Peace Be Upon Him everytime you type or say Jesus. Nobody took pictures of Jesus, they were made from various paintings. From descriptions passed down, etc. I really do not think any of them are close. I cant really answer the question properly , because I know it isnt Jesus and have wondered myself, I have a light up cross, that my mom gave me, and I know it isnt him. I have the last supper,,they are depictions, it loses me to, and I am a firm believer . Hope you get an answer. The reason I told you did not need to say pbuh is because Jesus stated that he did not come to bring peace, but a sword. Effectively dividing good from evil. That was and is his intent. The battle has only begun to unfold.........and YES you are welcome in the churches !! If you really want a good one, choose a true sabbath keeping church !! That is also missed by mainstream christianity,,the true sabbath. See exodus 31:13 The sign/seal of God. You can find many verses to back that one also. Revelation 14:12 , genesis at creation time, deuteronomy, proverbs. Wearing the commandments as frontlets between the eyes, and binding them upon thy fingers,,which would effectively mark his people, before the beast could . That is where it says there will be a mark of the beast. Mainstream Christianity misses that seal. and No, Jesus did not come to change those laws, it was moses law that changed, not GODS laws. Mainstream Christianity misses that too..be careful where you learn, and what church you learn it in. Much is missed by mainstreamers, and those pastors are responsible, and will be held accountable.
The catholic church freely admits to changing it, and God also talks about that through the Bible. he says they will think to change times and laws. Well, man would rather keep his traditions. If you want to learn the Bible, its best to read it yourself.

Answer 4

1)Jesus is not just "A Great Person". He is God's Son. He sits at the right hand of the throne. He died for all of our sins so that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. 2)Back when Jesus was walking the earth what kind of technology do you think they had? The bible gives a description of Him but only the people that we were living in that time actually know what He looks like until we (believers) get to Heaven. The paintings of Jesus are that, just paintings. Don't get caught up on the painting because you'll lose the meaning of WHO HE REALLY IS! Once you have a true relationship with Him, you won't worry about how He is painted. You'll just be waiting on the day when you will see His glory for yourself. Read the book of Revelations, it gives you a deeper description of His glory at the end of time.

Answer 5

Those pictures are only some artist's idea of what Jesus may look like. Did you notice that many of them have the depiction of light over his head. His halo, or His Aura, if you will.

Christians understand that Jesus doesn't really look like these pictures. No man can depict what He is really like. There isn't enough talent in all the world to truly capture His glory.

We are told that we were made in God's image, and that Jesus came to earth in the form of a human. We know by this, that He looked like a man. Beyond that, we can not imagine what He truly looks like. Holy, and perfect, and shining in His glory.

We only hang those depictions in the church because we know that an artist saw Him that way. But, we know that the pictures aren't right. we will know Him by the glory that shines within Him. And, we will know Him by the nail prints in His hands.

Answer 6

It is my opinion that the pictures and (most) movies are not disrespectful to Jesus, they are helpful tools used to spread his message of grace.
From a Christian point of view, if we could not look at the "ugly" pictures or have him portrayed in a movie because it would be disrespectful to Him, then we could also not mention Him in any conversation because of our belief that all are sinful and fall short of the glory of God.
Jesus told his Disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations" at the end of the book of Matthew (some scholars debate the originality of this particular portion of the text, but it is congruous with the message of the gospels).

(Concerning the pictures) The common pictures that I have seen depict a very caucasion-looking Jesus, and most Christians today realize He would not have looked like the pictures.
(Concerning Mary)... that whole Mary thing is a Catholic thing(a sort of subdivision of Christianity in case you aren't familiar).


-In response to Gary's comment near the top of the list.
I am sorry to hear someone on the side of Christianity make such a blatantly disrespectful comment. It is not some radical discrespect on the part of "Muslims (and Islam)" for them to say that Jesus is not divine/Son of God/Christ. It is simply based on their own logic/beliefs, and anyone who is not Christian would feel the same way.

Answer 7

I don't know what kind of "churches" you are talking about because none of the churches I attend would make a picture of Jesus since that's a form of idolatry like making golden calves.

As to an actor playing a role of Jesus everyone knows that it isn't really Jesus. If you look on the Free Stuff page @ http://web.express56.com/~bromar/ there is a link where you can watch The Jesus Film Project and during the intro they make a disclaimer where they say "even though no man is worthy to play the role of Jesus...."

In regards to your surprise about people putting it back on Muslims you should realize that calling Jesus a mere prophet is like someone calling you a primate. You are a human being created in the image of God and Jesus is God's eternal Son who came down to earth from Heaven and wrapped Himself in flesh so that He could lay down his life as payment for our sin debt.

Answer 8

I have never thought of christians being disrespectful to Jesus by portraying an ugly picture of him. I may be wrong but I have always thought of his pictures as a very handsome man with sort of sad eyes and an angelic face. Ones I have seen in church seems to have been drawn by very good artists.

Answer 9

Good point. Let me answer by saying that there are paintings depicting Jesus as black, white, Indian, Native American, Chinese, Korean, and just about any other race or nationality that you can think of.

People identify with Christ, and I think it's human nature to want to make Him look like ourselves. Nobody in their right mind claims that theirs is the real and authentic version of how He appeared.

My taste may not be the same as yours or someone else's. But if a painting of Jesus or Mary gives a person peace and comfort, I think that's what's important.

Thank you for showing your respect for Jesus and the beliefs of others. And please accept my apology on behalf of those who did not return your courtesy.

Peace be unto you and your household.

Answer 10

I'm not Christian, but the pictures, like in many Eastern religions, are only meant to remind the people of their gods/deities/religious founders, etc... Some religions don't necessarily have pictures but they do constantly display certain religious symbols.

I do have one question to the Asker, though, what siginficance is the picture of the crescent moon on all Muslim Mosques and flags?

Answer 11

You raise a valid point. I assume your Christian or otherwise you wouldnt be offended of him being objectified.

First of all, the only portrait if you can call it that that we have of Christ is the Shroud of Turin and the veil of Veronica. From there, painters from all ethnicities paint Jesus to what they feel will make the most impact. Sometimes he's black in Africa, sometimes he has blue eyes in Germany, but in the end I dont think he minds if your intent is to draw a connection to a populace. And the same thing applies to movies and actors. It depends on the motives.

And didnt Jesus ask us to imitate him in every way? Imitation is the highest form of flattery.