Here at Unfinished Man, we do our best to keep religion out of the equation. It’s a divisive topic, and as you’ve undoubtedly noticed over the years, we don’t like offending anyone. But every so often there’s that rare religious act or message that I feel just needs to be shared, and this is one of them.
Created by the often hilarious team at Saturday Night Live, and with a slew of actors you know and love, they’ve brought us DJesus Uncrossed – the ultimate historical revenge fantasy from none other than the mind of Quentin Tarantino! If you loved Django Unchained, then you, my friend, are in for one hell of a treat. He’s risen from the dead, and he’s preaching anything… but forgiveness.
“A Less Violent Version of Passion of the Christ”
With a tagline like that, you know it’s good. Once you watch this, you’re going to wish for two things: 1) that someone actually creates this and 2) that Jesus was actually this bad-ass.
I don’t know about you, but I could watch this over and over again. Sadly, it seems some believe that SNL crossed the comedic line with this one. After all, the skit does involve a religious figure loved by many, committing acts of incredible violence against a wide range of people. It’s almost like, oh, I don’t know… the vast majority of stories in the bible. We can’t have that on television!
In any case, I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Do you think this really goes too far? Are there certain things better left untouched? Was Jesus really a vegan yoga master? All of these questions and more can be discussed in the comments below this post.
Chad in Humor, Sorry but I can’t disagree with you more. SNL crossed a line in a huge way. You happen to be wrong about violence in the Bible. First, your looking at the Old Testament which does have a lot of violence I admit but your missing the point. The OT has “lot of Violence” because it shows how terrible sin is when it entered the world. The New Testament however is different (maybe if you read it you would know) becasue of the lack of violence, unless you count the violence that was showed TO CHRISTIANS. The whole message of Jesus was about LOVE! Not violence. Laying down one’s life for another EVEN WHEN THEY DON”T LIKE YOU! maybe even they hate you. Jesus went to the cross, as he was the ONLY one that could die and take away the wrong that I do, that you do that we do. Key is we have to accept it. It’s a gift that has to be opened by us. Plus he gave it to us even though we didn’t ask or even want it. That’s what makes this SNL sketch so atrocious. Funny thing is is that its COOL to bash Jesus or Christians! Isn’t it? Yea! That’s funny! Wait… IS it funny to ridicule Jews, Muslims, Hindu. What about the blind (which you happen to be) or the mentally challenged? No it isn’t, is it… Something that I find interesting is that I can have a discussion and talk about Confucius, Buddha, Hari Krishna and people will talk all day. But talk about Jesus and what he taught and people will run the whole gammet of emotions and maybe even run away from the discussion. I believe (this is my thought) is that there is something inside of us that is lit up. His words speak to people’s heart’s. however it can be a light that shows us whats in the darkness of our being. That is never a pleasant ordeal since it does cause emotions. So what do people do? They don’t understand so its easier to mock, make fun of, ridicule, verbal slap around and maybe even physically. you know what else is funny? For such a “violent” religion as you eluded to I don’t see rioting in the streets and dying because of it. Wait… think maybe it is becasue Jesus taught Love, peace, happiness, contentment even in duress, acceptance… do I really need to go on? IF you don’t believe me then read the “Good News of Matthew” or of “…Mark, Luke and John”. Read and prove me wrong or prove me right. Or you can just be lazy and do… nothing… seems there’s a lot of that going on.
You wrote a 456 word paragraph… I really don’t even know where to begin here, but I’ll try.
No, there is plenty of violence in the bible, I’m sorry, that’s not even up for debate. No, the old testament doesn’t use this violence as an example to “show how terrible sin is”. You’re obviously free to draw that conclusion, but I think you’re flat our wrong there.
Yes, I agree… it sounds like Jesus was a really nice person, spreading a message of peace. The character in this skit was quite unlike that. They made someone who is universally recognizable as being one way, and flipped that on its head. This is called “comedy”.
My mother bought me an ugly sweater I didn’t ask for once, and I certainly didn’t appreciate it.
Christianity isn’t bashed any more than any other religion. I think most reasonable, logical people, group them all into the same category. On the other hand, we know that most Christians are quite happy with Islam, yes? Time has clearly showed us that Muslim’s and Christian’s have existed peacefully since the two religions were invented, right?
I’ll talk about Jesus with you all day, no problem my friend, though I don’t think he lights me up in the same way that he does you.
Nope, you’re right… there has never been any violence or rioting related to Christianity, or in fact any religion, ever! The recent Occupy Vatican movement was faked… probably by the dinosaurs.
No, no… please, no need to go on any further. I think I get the idea.
I’ll think this is funny as soon as SNL or any other liberal mock Islam with the same frequency and degree.
I think you forgot about one religion that no one dares touch, hmmm, it’s easy to pick on Islam. I’d think it’s funny when someone picks on the “other” religion, I’ll give you a hint, it starts with “J”.