Superman #40

[superfangirl1]

Comments

[janegray]

Maybe Supes could try telling them the story of the drowing man on the roof.

[nyadnar17]

Although my eyes roll to the back of my skull at yet another "religious people/leaders are the bad guy/idiots story. This is a really great setup for a Superman problem.

[locuatico]

I remember reading something about how many, MANY writers assume that what applies to Christianity applies to every other religion (even fictional ones).
For example, Martyrdom and Sin are HUGE parts of Christianity. So much so that the most iconic image that has defined Christianity for SO many years...... is a guy in red giving gifts to good kids (okay, it is jesus in the cross).
That doesn't apply to, say, Buddhism, which doesn't have a concept of "Sin" as Christiniaty understands it (if at all).

Likewise, Christians (not all, yada, yada) consider the Bible as the word of god and, as such, it is unquestionably the objective truth and, to defy it, is to sin against God (again, to all christians and not to the same extreme). This doesn't happen in Judaism... at all. The Torah isn't taken literally or with just one interpretation but, in fact, it's meaning is open to interpretation.
As a non-jew, I don't know to what extent, but my point is that... this? this idea of a religion in which every member seems to take everything as god's doing and that certain doom MUST means they are being punished? it's done by people who think the Christianity experience is an universal one.

[nyadnar17]

I think what annoys me is nothing about this is really Christian? Like except for monotheism I guess, but if anything the whole doom that must not be avoided at the cost of incurring even greater wrath is more inline with religions with Karma/Reincarnation or maybe some Pagan religions?

It all just seems like sloppy theology. Biblical I don't think G-d every promises certain doom that can't be avoided. Turn from your evil ways and be saved is pretty much His deal. The mere fact of Superman's arrival should at least spark a theological debate about whether Superman's saving them is their god's will.

I mean did I miss the part about a prophecy of doom? If they really believe that just everything that happens is their god's will and it is wrong to ever interfere in that then why do they have walls? clothing? weapons? If their god never works through humanoid agents (like say fucking Superman) then how do they justify medicine, farming, housing, etc?

[locuatico]

While it is true this is not something actually said in the Bible, you also have people like Mike Pence flat out saying that humans should not care about climate change because God would stop it or something. So it is Christian™ at the very least....

[silicondream]

See also, many conservative evangelicals arguing that we should push the Middle East toward a giant Jerusalem-centered holy war, because that would advance the doomsday clock toward Christ's return. Which sounds kinda like something that a Lovecraftian cultist would say, only with less grunting.

[locuatico]

I take the cultists, at least they are honest...

[silicondream]

Heck, if you're going Biblical, Jesus is pretty clear in Matthew 24 that when the prophesied apocalypse occurs, you should run the heck away. . Run for the hills. No, don't stop to collect your stuff, just run. You may not survive, but there's no sin in trying to survive.

There are occasional mentions of unavoidable doom in, e.g., Ecclesiastes, but again, it's not like you're supposed to help your doom get even less avoidable. Time and chance happen to all, therefore be prudent and industrious and charitable so we can all get through it more easily and the Lord can reward you in kind.