Jesus: Color, Style, and Presence for Thurs. 8

Artistic renditions of Jesus and other godly (or demigodly) figures are basically a form of advertising, as well as a way for the common man to either relate to or be distanced from. Many Asian religions mix their godly hosts as fearsome or placid, which is definitely visible in Hindu art when comparing the calm Christ-like Vishnu (though, I believe he is pre-Christ) to the blackened, multiarmed and fanged goddess of death Kali. Each are revered but Vishnu is revered for his compassion and mercy, while Kali is honored for her destructive powers. While in Islam Mohammed may have a body but his face is completely white; perhaps a blank slate that reflects on the religions strict focus on the teachings rather than the imagery.
Modern Christianity is known for its Aryan depictions of Jesus, that show an almost doe eyed, non-threatening Prince of Peace. Perhaps this concept of his merciful and calm nature is a recent attitude considering how the Pantocrator's we observed last term were downright imposing and seemed to be scowling at the viewer. This depiction of Jesus reminds me of the literary personifications of God within the Bible. In the Old Testament, God is a wrathful, vengeful, and almost unforgiving Lord, making bets with Satan, putting his subjects into dangerous, sometimes nearly fatal situations, and smiting people and leveling towns whenever he got pissed with people ignoring him. However, in the New Testament he seems beneficent and understanding, though letting his only son get crucified doesn't seem all that fatherly.
Perhaps with the forward marching of time, attitudes changed about Christ's demeanor and appearance. In most of the older depictions of Jesus he was mostly white, probably due to the fact that those who rendered him wanted the public to relate to their skin color.
But the delving done into history as well as genetic analysis shows that Christ was most likely either darkly colored or of a mixed variety. Christianity however was original accepted and performed in cultures and countries where such shades were not all too commonplace. Only after Imperialist and Colonizing cultures such as the French, British, and the Americans, with their harebrained schemes of slave trade, came on to the scene and decide to "civilize" Africa was Christianity used as a tool of power, quiet invasion, and a way to pacify the tribes of Africa. In recent history, thusly, there has been a clamoring on the part of both African American and other ethnic groups that Christ's white complexion be traded in for something darker. I, myself, have not necessarily seen any movement towards such change, but perhaps with the introduction of Obama's administration, such a alteration may be accepted and put into some use or effect.