My Response to Jesus Walks by Sandra (The Holy Blogle)

In Sandra’s post on Kanye West’s Jesus Walks, from his debut album The College Dropout, I agree with her point that the song effectively presents the Christian message that the everlasting presence of Jesus Christ lies within every human being. Furthermore, I appreciate the seeming irony in the fact that Kanye made a song about Christ, despite his frequent brash, arrogant and frequently “non-Christian” behaviour.  However, I disagree with the fact this irony is due to the fact the West misrepresents what it means to be Christian. In my opinion, Kanye West didn’t make this song with the intention of giving the impression to his listeners that he accurately portrays what it means to be Christian. In one of the lines of the song he even says:

And I don't think there is nothing I can do now to right my wrongs/

(Jesus Walks with me)

I want to talk to God but I'm afraid because we ain't spoke in so long/

I think that Kanye makes it clear that he, and most of society, by definition, are in fact poor Christians, yet despite our flaws, Jesus will forgive us for them. He focuses on the internal struggle that the many modern Christians face in a society filled with racism, violence, drugs and poverty, as highlighted in the lines:

To the hustlas, killers, murderers, drug dealers even the strippers/

To the victims of Welfare for we living in hell here hell yeah/

If Jesus Walks was a song about changing ones life in order to life guided by the light of God, then I definitely would agree that Kanye West would be an inappropriate person to be singing the song and the link to Michael and the rest of the Corleone Family justified. However, this song is about the sins Christians commit and that Jesus will ultimately forgive us for, perhaps making “Kane” the best person to sing this song.

Kanye Behaving Badly: 

Exhibit A: Kanye West claiming President George W. Bush is a Racist on live television:

Exhibit B: Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift's speech at 2011 VMAs:

Exhibit C: Kanye sipping on a bottle of Hennessy on the VMAs Red Carpet:

Homer the Heretic...sort of...

In light of this week’s in class screening of The Simpsons episode “Homer the Heretic” (season 4, episode 3), I would like to examine the series’ cynical take on American Christianity. Although this episode aired in almost 20 years ago, The Simpsons, now in its 23^rd season, continues to present religious content, substantiating claims such as that quoted by Professor Harris that the animated series is the most religious show on television. However, although many wouldn’t argue this point, the manner in which the Christian faith is presented is the focus of much debate, often leading to stern criticism from religious groups, while likely contributing to its wild popularity…after all there is a fine line between fame and infamy. In an article entitled The Gospel of Homer, published in the Ventura County Star, the Rev. Francis Chan is quoted as saying that The Simpsons “makes anyone who follows God look like a fool” (Kisken). Despite coming across as extreme, I feel that many critics adamant on protecting the Christian faith may share this belief and, in their defense, their position is not completely unfounded, as demonstrated in the following clip:

Reverend Lovejoy, Springfield’s bible quoting Protestant pastor, is frequently ridiculed in the show and, at first, this may seem like a low blow to Christians (Lewis 153-165). However, as one becomes more familiar with Lovejoy’s character, it is clear that this pastor is more a man of words than faith, which some critics claim is attempt to highlight the flaws of organized religion (Lewis 153-165). Although this was the general theme of the episode viewed in class, I don’t believe it was the intention of it’s writer, George Meyer, or writers of other episodes for that matter, to discredit those who believe in God. Rather, by having Homer refuse to go to church, Meyer tackles an important issue surrounding the practice of the Christian faith. Many practicing “Christians” in the United States go through the motions of saying grace and paying lip service at church on Sunday, something the Simpsons did as a family prior to Homer’s revelation in “Homer the Heretic” (Lewis 153-165). However, is this sufficient to be considered “religious”? In my opinion, certainly not. Furthermore, when he decides to stop going to church, does God turn away from him? No, he doesn’t.

Ultimately, it seems that the message Meyer, and The Simpsons in general, is trying to convey is not that American Christians are foolish but rather that the acts of false devotion that many partake in are meaningless. After all, is Ned a good Christian only because he goes to Church every Sunday?....

Works Cited:

Kisken, Tom. "The Gospel of Homer." Ventura County Star 04 Sep 1999, n. pag. Web. 22 Jan. 2012. <http://www.snpp.com/other/articles/gospelofhomer.html>.

Lewis, Todd. "Religious Rhetoric and the Comic Frame in The Simpsons ." Journal of Media and Religion. 1.3 (2002): 153-165. Print.