Jesus Vs. Superman (Which is more convincing?)

[The Reality Salesman01]

Growing up, I was a huge fan of comic books. There have been countless debates about who would beat who should they ever have to fight, and really, unless kryptonite is in the equation, Superman is your trump card. He's faster than a speeding bullet, he can fly, his impervious to everything but Kryptonite, he's got ice breath, plasma vision, and if he plowed directly into the sun, it would only supercharge his abilities. So, short of having a stash of kryptonite or being able to block the sun, Superman is the king of the ring.

Being 28 years old, the old Superman movies didn't have the effect on me that they did on my parents. I was spoiled by the advance of special effects being made in the entertainment industry, and Christopher Reeves couldn't match the impression of Superman I had from the comic books, and as the new movies came out later, they seemed to fall flat when compared to the Iron Mans and Dark Knight movies that topped the box offices. Man of Steel got it right. If you were ever inspired by Superman's combination of raw power mixed with selfless altruism, then this movie will definitely entertain you. Hanz Zimmer, who's most recent work was done on the History Channel's The Bible series was interviewed about the perceived parallel between The Bible's Jesus Christ, and DC Comic's Superman. He confirmed that it was intentional correlation that they were trying to make, and before even knowing this, it was something that stuck out to me within the first 30 minutes of watching the film. My question is this...If the people that wrote The Bible would have had more creative imagination when describing their protagonist, and the Jesus character had more God-like abilities, would it have been easier to believe? Would a character like Superman be a more convincing son of a God? I think so. But lets look at the similarities in the plot...!!!SPOILER ALERT!!!

Compare and contrast with me...

Superman
Cal El (superman) is born to the king of Krypton. He was the first natural birth Krypton had seen in centuries and would be the key to securing the future of Kryptonians. He was the one and only son, sent to Earth, where he would be thought of as a God and would be the protector peace, and ensure the safety of mankind and earth.

Jesus Christ
Jesus was born of a virgin mother, and was God's one and only son sent to earth to save mankind from evil. He was perceived as a God, and was promised to be the savior of mankind and ensure eternal salvation of the souls of mankind.

How did they gain believers and followers?...

Superman
Superman was powered by the sun, and soaked up the radiation. It made him more powerful than any creature on the earth and made him virtually invincible. He could lift giant structures of considerable mass, he could fly at speeds over Mach, shattering the sound barrier, Plasma beams could be fired from his eyes that can disintegrate anything that opposes him, He could freeze things with his breath and was capable of seeing things from what can only be described as a 4th dimensional perspective as he looked through objects in a manner that no human could be capable of. He was virtually invincible to any damage from dangers that humans are vulnerable to, and defied the laws of physics that they are bound by. People of DC comics believed in Superman's abilities.

Jesus Christ
Jesus performed miracles. He cured the sick and healed the blind. His supernatural capabilities were that he was seen walking on water, and at one point, he was killed, and then came back to life. He could take fish and bread, and multiply it. He informed humans of a certain torturous evil that would only be escapable through him. He saved souls from being damned with his Jesusnous. People believed in Jesus' abilities.

Significant events caused by humans. The decisions made by the Heroes, and how their fathers impacted the outcomes.

Superman
The people of earth were made aware of Superman's existence among them by General Zod (Evil Kryptonian), and they were frightened as they were told that if they did not find him and turn him over they would all be killed. Cal El wanted to honor the request of the people and trusted his abilities to be great enough to overcome anything that was in store for him. He went without protest to General Zod. When he was there, his suspicions were confirmed when he learned that Zod intended to destroy earth and the people that inhabited it in order to erect a planet of his own choosing with different inhabitants. Superman was rendered impotent while aboard the ship and could do nothing to stop Zod. The artificial atmosphere of the Kryptonian Ship was not hospitable to the conditions from which Superman derived his powers. If something did not change these conditions, Superman would be rendered impotent and unable to save himself and the people. However, the consciousness of Superman’s father was programmed within the ship. His father was able to over-ride the ship’s programming and alter the atmosphere which enabled Superman to regain his powers and use them to support his cause and defeated Zod and protected the people of Earth.

Jesus Christ
When certain people had learned that Jesus was being regarded as the King of The Jews, they were not pleased. Jesus had known for a long time that his ability to save the people of earth would be made manifest through his death, as this was his father’s plan. Jesus was condemned to be crucified on a cross by the very people he was sent to save. He went into his prosecutor’s custody. Jesus was tortured, beaten, whipped, cut and spat on. He was nailed to a cross and had a crown of thorns mounted on his head. He was bleeding like a man and was susceptible to every known danger that existed to all other humans. He did perform any miracles and at one point cried out to his heavenly father asking why he had been forsaken in this manner. God did not answer audibly for others to hear, however, many believers of Jesus are convinced that his dad just wanted him to feel human suffering so that he may know what its like to suffer the way that all humans do without God saving them. God let Jesus die on that cross, and before he did, it is said that Jesus’ last words were requests for forgiveness for the very people that were killing him. Later, Jesus rose from the dead and disappeared forever, leaving behind instructions for how to rejoin him in a heavenly afterlife. It is said that because of Jesus’ death, his dad will spare the people of Earth that follow the instructions left for them through the teachings of his son. People of Earth continue to tell stories of Jesus and his father who they also accept as their God, convinced that they too will receive the same favorable afterlife.

While it seems that they both share a lot of things in common, Superman is clearly the more impressive character. His abilities and raw power are more inline with that of the power of a God, and he was able to accomplish his goal without getting nailed to a cross. Superman’s father did not let him die, and instead knocked down the boundaries that prevented Superman from exercising his abilities of awesome power. Superman was fighting and evil source that his father was unable to destroy himself. Jesus was trying to save people from being destroyed by his father. This part seems a bit counter-intuitive, and requires an extreme amount of gullibility to swallow. At any rate, the movie was awesome, and I found it hard to ignore this comparison that was being made. Amazingly enough, I haven’t seen any religions being practiced to worship Superman, but that’s probably because Cal El never went around convincing people that his dad would eternally torture them in their afterlife if they didn’t worship him. If he had, I think Superman’s power would have been more than convincing enough to gain a following.

[Anomalocaris]

I would have to say both are equally infantilizing and unconvincing.


However, one is unconvincing while trying to entertain you.

The other is unconvincing while trying to subjugate you.

I leave to you to consider which is which and which is more odious.

[little_monkey]

Both Superman and Jesus were characters written from the imagination of Jews.

[Anomalocaris]

Both Superman and Jesus were characters written from the imagination of Jews.

I wonder how many generations of the bottom percentile of gentile imagination managed to interpose themselves between what a few jews cooked up 2000 years ago and what the roiling ooze of howling dervishes at revivalist meetings imagine to be coming to save them.

[Drich]

Just so you know I went to the theater to see this movie so I could read this Thread.

Growing up, I was a huge fan of comic books. There have been countless debates about who would beat who should they ever have to fight, and really, unless kryptonite is in the equation, Superman is your trump card. He's faster than a speeding bullet, he can fly, his impervious to everything but Kryptonite, he's got ice breath, plasma vision, and if he plowed directly into the sun,

I guess you've never seen "All Star Superman." It's a Animated feature length movie, on net flix.

it would only supercharge his abilities. So, short of having a stash of kryptonite or being able to block the sun, Superman is the king of the ring.

Actually in 93' we found out that superman is subcepitiable to "Doomsday" like every one else.


Being 28 years old, the old Superman movies didn't have the effect on me that they did on my parents. I was spoiled by the advance of special effects being made in the entertainment industry, and Christopher Reeves couldn't match the impression of Superman I had from the comic books, and as the new movies came out later, they seemed to fall flat when compared to the Iron Mans and Dark Knight movies that topped the box offices. Man of Steel got it right. If you were ever inspired by Superman's combination of raw power mixed with selfless altruism, then this movie will definitely entertain you. Hanz Zimmer, who's most recent work was done on the History Channel's The Bible series was interviewed about the perceived parallel between The Bible's Jesus Christ, and DC Comic's Superman. He confirmed that it was intentional correlation that they were trying to make, and before even knowing this, it was something that stuck out to me within the first 30 minutes of watching the film. My question is this...If the people that wrote The Bible would have had more creative imagination when describing their protagonist, and the Jesus character had more God-like abilities, would it have been easier to believe? Would a character like Superman be a more convincing son of a God? I think so. But lets look at the similarities in the plot...!!!SPOILER ALERT!!!

Compare and contrast with me...

Superman
Cal El (superman) is born to the king of Krypton.

Ah, no. Were you even watching the Same movie? Because He was of a natural birth Zod labled Him an abomination.

He was the first natural birth Krypton had seen in centuries and would be the key to securing the future of Kryptonians.

Again no, according to the Great General Zod (The only other Kryptonian who has any speaking parts aside from superman's mom and dad on the matter) Said "Cal" would disrupt the Kryptonian way of life.

He was the one and only son, sent to Earth, where he would be thought of as a God and would be the protector peace, and ensure the safety of mankind and earth.

Again what movie where you watching? Cal was sent from a dying world as the LAST HOPE of a Doomed Race of beings. His Mother even warned that he would not be accepted by us.

Jesus Christ
Jesus was born of a virgin mother, and was God's one and only son sent to earth to save mankind from evil. He was perceived as a God, and was promised to be the savior of mankind and ensure eternal salvation of the souls of mankind.

Nope
Jesus was born of a Virgin Mother for the purpose of being the Last Sin sacrifice needed to provide attonement for all who wants it.

Understand Christ does not offer 'salvation' for anyone who does not A/S/K for it.

How did they gain believers and followers?...

Superman
Superman was powered by the sun, and soaked up the radiation. It made him more powerful than any creature on the earth and made him virtually invincible. He could lift giant structures of considerable mass, he could fly at speeds over Mach, shattering the sound barrier, Plasma beams could be fired from his eyes that can disintegrate anything that opposes him, He could freeze things with his breath and was capable of seeing things from what can only be described as a 4th dimensional perspective as he looked through objects in a manner that no human could be capable of. He was virtually invincible to any damage from dangers that humans are vulnerable to, and defied the laws of physics that they are bound by. People of DC comics believed in Superman's abilities.

I could pick this apart but I am willing to say close enough.

Jesus Christ
Jesus performed miracles. He cured the sick and healed the blind. His supernatural capabilities were that he was seen walking on water, and at one point, he was killed, and then came back to life. He could take fish and bread, and multiply it. He informed humans of a certain torturous evil that would only be escapable through him. He saved souls from being damned with his Jesusnous. People believed in Jesus' abilities.

The facts in of themselves are true but have been compiled incorrectly and your conclusion forces the subject to be more like the one your comparing Him to.

Significant events caused by humans. The decisions made by the Heroes, and how their fathers impacted the outcomes.

Superman
The people of earth were made aware of Superman's existence among them by General Zod (Evil Kryptonian),

Actually Zod was not evil. He was Just a Kryptonian. For that reason alone Jorel told cal was the reason He and His mother did not join him/cal on earth.

and they were frightened as they were told that if they did not find him and turn him over they would all be killed. Cal El wanted to honor the request of the people and trusted his abilities to be great enough to overcome anything that was in store for him. He went without protest to General Zod.

You must have gone to the bathroom during the 15 or 20 mins worth of protest and conflict Clark underwent trying to figure out if he should go or not.
He talked with his mom, a priest, a General, and finally Lois, before he took a chance on humanity.

When he was there, his suspicions were confirmed when he learned that Zod intended to destroy earth and the people that inhabited it in order to erect a planet of his own choosing with different inhabitants. Superman was rendered impotent while aboard the ship and could do nothing to stop Zod. The artificial atmosphere of the Kryptonian Ship was not hospitable to the conditions from which Superman derived his powers. If something did not change these conditions, Superman would be rendered impotent and unable to save himself and the people.

close enough

However, the consciousness of Superman’s father was programmed within the ship. His father was able to over-ride the ship’s programming and alter the atmosphere which enabled Superman to regain his powers and use them to support his cause and defeated Zod and protected the people of Earth.

Did you even see the movie or just read a synopsis?
In a word no. Jorel's programming was up loaded into the prison ship via lois and the Key clark gave her.

The Father built the ship and thus was able to over ride atmospheric control.

Zod nor anyone else was defeated on the ship.
Superman and lois simply escaped from the ship. The defeat of Zod and his army did not happen for another half an hour to fourty five mins.

Maybe this is why You do not understand biblical Christianity. Even when everything is being played out in front of you, you still can not accurately relay the events as they played out. Let alone Read and comprehend what has been read, as it was intended to be read.

You have bent this movie to fit an argument. Which is beyond dishonest. You've taken the highlights and retold the story to make a point. This is not how a true compareson is made.

I can't wait to see what you say next.

Jesus Christ
When certain people had learned that Jesus was being regarded as the King of The Jews, they were not pleased. Jesus had known for a long time that his ability to save the people of earth would be made manifest through his death, as this was his father’s plan. Jesus was condemned to be crucified on a cross by the very people he was sent to save. He went into his prosecutor’s custody. Jesus was tortured, beaten, whipped, cut and spat on. He was nailed to a cross and had a crown of thorns mounted on his head. He was bleeding like a man and was susceptible to every known danger that existed to all other humans. He did perform any miracles and at one point cried out to his heavenly father asking why he had been forsaken in this manner. God did not answer audibly for others to hear, however, many believers of Jesus are convinced that his dad just wanted him to feel human suffering so that he may know what its like to suffer the way that all humans do without God saving them. God let Jesus die on that cross, and before he did, it is said that Jesus’ last words were requests for forgiveness for the very people that were killing him. Later, Jesus rose from the dead and disappeared forever, leaving behind instructions for how to rejoin him in a heavenly afterlife. It is said that because of Jesus’ death, his dad will spare the people of Earth that follow the instructions left for them through the teachings of his son.

Wow, you actually got most of this right!

People of Earth continue to tell stories of Jesus and his father who they also accept as their God, convinced that they too will receive the same favorable afterlife.

This is where you veer off course. Your thinking of Mormonism here.

While it seems that they both share a lot of things in common,

Ah, no they don't, at least they don't when you look at the official rendition of Superman and the biblical account of Jesus.

Superman is clearly the more impressive character.

Not according to you opening statement.
Only one specific rendition of super man appeals to you.

His abilities and raw power are more inline with that of the power of a God, and he was able to accomplish his goal without getting nailed to a cross.

Then maybe you do not understand what a God is or does. For Super-MAN is only what MAN would do with Himself if he had access to God like powers. In the end Super Man is still limited, in that he has to be 'Superman' He could never truly be Clark Kent.

When one is an Alpha and Omega, limitless power gives one the authority and ablity to be whatever He/she wants to be. Even if the Son of God wanted to be 100% man, he could be in the form of Jesus Christ. (The Son of God's clark kent.)

Superman’s father did not let him die, and instead knocked down the boundaries that prevented Superman from exercising his abilities of awesome power.

At that point in the movie Cal's life was not in danger. Zod did not resolve to kill Cal until AFTER they found out that the Kryptonian codex has been intergrated into Cal's DNA. He was just being poked and prodded to find out why or how he adapted to earth.

Superman was fighting and evil source that his father was unable to destroy himself. Jesus was trying to save people from being destroyed by his father.

Again Zod was not Evil. He was a general programmed with the protection of Krypton and all of it's people. The leaders of Krypton through their selfrighteousness and bureaucracy destroyed their own planet. It was His job to protect krypton, they were/did destroy it. On this front Jorel and Zod were united. Their approaches differed. Jorel want to go through the bureaucracy to address this problem, but Zod's programming would not allow this time sensitive threat to further endanger krypton.

Again Zod was not evil, Zod was just being Zod. Zod was following his programming up until he was the only thing left of krypton to protect. His lashing out after the destruction of everything he was charged to protect was his only sin. To which superman's dad at that point in the movie had been killed twice by Zod. Again this story arch had nothing to do with the God of the bible.

This part seems a bit counter-intuitive, and requires an extreme amount of gullibility to swallow. At any rate, the movie was awesome, and I found it hard to ignore this comparison that was being made. Amazingly enough, I haven’t seen any religions being practiced to worship Superman, but that’s probably because Cal El never went around convincing people that his dad would eternally torture them in their afterlife if they didn’t worship him. If he had, I think Superman’s power would have been more than convincing enough to gain a following.

I don't know how you can see any compareson between Superman as portrayed in the Movie and the record of Christ. One has to over look ALOT of stuff, Ignore a lot more and flat out make up a whole bunch of other stuff to make your compareson to work.

[Ryantology]

Actually in 93' we found out that superman is subcepitiable to "Doomsday" like every one else.

But then, like three issues later, he was resurrected. Praise Clark!

I don't know how you can see any compareson between Superman as portrayed in the Movie and the record of Christ. One has to over look ALOT of stuff, Ignore a lot more and flat out make up a whole bunch of other stuff to make your compareson to work.

Well, obviously. Jesus only saves those who debase themselves to a level he finds sufficient. Superman will save anybody, even his worst enemies, with no expectation or demand of thanks or praise, because that is what righteousness really is.

[Drich]

But then, like three issues later, he was resurrected. Praise Clark!

Not to nerd out but if memory serves Superman did not resurrect himself. His body was put into somesort of regeneration machine he had in the fortress of solitude.

Well, obviously. Jesus only saves those who debase themselves to a level he finds sufficient. Superman will save anybody, even his worst enemies, with no expectation or demand of thanks or praise, because that is what righteousness really is.

And Superman saved everybody he could whether they wanted it or not. Well everyone except his fellow kryptonians, and everyone who was sucked into the Phantom Zone. (Which you know more than a few humans got suck in by accident if he had to expend so much effort at the end of the movie to escape)

[pocaracas]

You people...
It's Kal El, not Cal El.
And Jor El.
El is like the family name.
And it took some 10 issues before supes recovered from doomsday...

[Drich]

You people...
It's Kal El, not Cal El.
And Jor El.
El is like the family name.
And it took some 10 issues before supes recovered from doomsday...

I've seen it spelled both ways.

[Whateverist]

Who really has the omni-powers then? Clearly not the bearded boy with the thorny crown. Hell, he isn't even invulnerable. Those thorns cut that dude and his puny hide couldn't even keep nails out. Jesus' only true omni-power is that of suffering. He rocks at that. And if you appreciate him for it and emulate him as much as possible you might inherit the earth or play a harp in the clouds or, wait, are there any other options?

---

It kind of looks like superman is trying to scissor with Jesus in that picture. Perhaps he is trying to cum unto him?