Kanye West, Hip-Hop and Jesus

Good points, Rosa. I can only give Kanye props for doing things such as this. He isn't what I would call the BEST person to throw some conciousness back into the arena but at least he is doing it (and doing an ok job too). Bad thing is I don't see other rappers following suit like that.

The only thing I was tripping on was when he compared himself to Jesus when talking about his career. Man, come on. He knew before he got on that the entertainment industry is synonymous with "haterism".

As much as I can see Rosa's point about the importance of finding representations of Jesus that are culturally and racially relevant to your own life. I think the problem many people have (me included) with the Kanye/Rolling Stone thing is that he is using an image which for many people (me included) is a powerful, personal and even sacred thing. Again with due repect to Rosa, the white people she calls out are all actors playing the role of Jesus in films, that is a very different thing to taking on the character of Jesus to promote yourself and to ultimately put yourself on some kind of pedestal.
I think if any white/chinese/indian artist did the same it would be equally offencive. I love kanye and think he has some really valid things to say about alot of things (including spirituality) but this sure ain't one of them.

Think about Kanye and the Jesus thing this way. I am not Christian so I'm not sure (correct me if I'm wrong), but as Christians isn't it your "goal" to do as Jesus did (What Would Jesus Do)? What I mean is, Jesus accepted everyone and didn't have bad intentions for people and things of that nature, so I look at Kanye on that cover trying to "be like Jesus" and showing respect to the Lord. I haven't read the article so I don't know if he puts himself on that same level as Jesus, but I think for a man striving to do good and be great like Jesus was is a good thing. Am I wrong to think that?

the image has nothing to do with race or Christianity...obviously this writer feels like the image needs to be justified in some socially relevant way. Simply, it's really just a result of how corny and pretentious Kanye West is. I'm anything but a "hater", I like a good amount of his beats, although he can't rhyme for shit. The dude is just corny...as a person.

The problem is not that Jesus is black on the cover, it's not even that Jesus is being portrayed by a rapper of all walks of life, instead kanye is being portrayed as Jesus. For all we know, Jesus looked Aramaic and resembled the terrorists the United States fight these days. Kanye can't just dress up as Jesus and compare his struggle with that of Christ.

I love interracial portrayals of Biblical figures. It shows the diversity in the interpretation of the Bible. You can't just dress up as God to gas yaself up. Damn I respect his confidence but shit, God?! Beats are dope though...rhymes arent bad either...but someone who has openly confessed to a pornography addiction touting themselves as christ? damn!

ahh well, sure ruffled some feathers huh?

How does one look Aramaic? I think you mean Jewish.

"obviously" hit the nail on the head: it's just a tired-ass publicity stunt. Nas did this like 10 years ago. It's totally unoriginal. No creativity. What's next? Kanye as president? Kanye as astronaut? Kanye as Nostradamus? Oh wait, Nas did that one too.

All it is is a media stunt. I'm sure this is pretty obvious to most everyone here, but that's what we have to take it as. It was goine to attract attention to Kanye, and more specifically, attract attention to Rolling Stone and sell magazines.

People are going to criticize anyone for posing as Jesus; although the criticism is intensified for a black man, I don't think that should make it a political statement, other than that of raw capitalism.

And yes, Jesus was not white, and there's a lot of people who don't know that. And the white image of Christ is definitely racist. But I don't think picturing Kanye West as Jesus for no clear reason has much to do with the false image of Christ--other than, of course, that it creates controversy.

Look at this google ad I got on this page. Too much!

http://teenagejesus.com

i haven't read the Rolling Stone article yet, but I admit I did initially have an aversion to the cover. I haven't really been paying attention to reaction to it, so I cannot really comment in an intelligent way on the array of problems people might have with it. However, like a couple folks mentioned above, it is not hard to believe that some folks annoyance with the cover really may not have anything to do with a black face being under a crown of thorns, but rather that the face belongs to big headed, whiny ass, drama queen Kanye. The photo, which I suppose is meant to be some sort of visual commentary on how he feels persecuted as a celebrity, is obnoxious hyperbole. Kanye dwells in the realm of the obnoxious so much already. In my young life, I've never seen an artist so good at irking people who love him.

Props and love to Rosa and I am not saying she is wrong about everyone's reaction to the photo--I am sure there are some white folk out there that do have that racist reaction to the photo. But that's not necessarily the only reason and white folk aren't necessarily the only people that find Kanye exhausting even while appreciating his music.

ppl like kanye need to continue to do covers like rolling stone, in that way, at the appropriate time...according to their clocks. they get the discussion rolling on religion and spirituality. this is coming from a dude with many religious/spirituality issues.

it gets folks who were raised a certain way, to question why they do the shit they do...religiously that is. religion is a way of life correct? it aint like a jacket that u only wear to the club. so phuck it...let the cover rock. discuss it no doubt...it's content/context/relevance/appropriateness but ultimately let it rock becuz it moves the discussion away from dumb shit like "should jay-z wear slippers with long denims or not".

jay,
think it says alot about your audience that such a potentially controversial topic has brought the above response. It's good to know that internet doesn't have to be full of totally freaks.
Of course you might have just been heavy on the edit-in which case-damn!

Rosa, I don't think this has a thing to do with race. I am sorry that you struggled with your faith due to the caucasian portrayal of Jesus. I think that historically, you will find many interesting facts about icons depicting the Lord.
I don't think Kanye was trying to depict Jesus, I think he was trying to identify himself as a Christ figure. Kanye is full of himself, he readily admits to it. He may have sold many albums (and thus have many fans/followers) but he is not, nor will he ever be the Savior like Jesus (there is only one), the Prince of Peace like Jesus, and if he is trying to comment on feeling persecuted, he completely missed the mark. Jesus was persecuted to save souls. Kanye West may feel persecuted, but its his own fault- if he's going to make statements that come from the way he honestly feels, then he should stand by that and not whine about how people don't like him. I think Rolling Stones was sensitive to the fact that he is controversial and definitely used him, but he did let them. This cover does raise questions though- why Christ? Why didn't they pick some other symbol of faith or another "figure of persecution"? Why Kanye? Who does he think he is? What in the world does Jesus have to with Rolling Stone Magazine? I would love to know what Mr. West has to say to justify or explain this cover...

I got mad love for Kanye West right now for being such a 'conscious' mc, but it seems that this cat is taking the martyr approach, ala tupac, a liitle too serious. Kanye hasn't said anything revolutionary as far as 'consciousness' goes nor as he made hip-hop that challenges Americas notion of disenfranchised minorities( Ice Cube's Amerikka's Most wanted, PE's It Takes A Nation.. etc.)But, for being mainstream as he is he has done pretty well. When he first came out I thought that record labels were gonna ease up and sign a slew of "conscious" artist to piggy back on the succes of Kanye,but it seems it's not gonna happen.

I have not read everyones response, but in response to article the writer may beleive Jesus was black. Are we really this dumb?!! Jesus Christ was Jewish and that is not either black or white. Why is that even an issue? The issue is that what kANYE did was blasphamous. If you really want to KNOW the truth about hIP hOP go to www.exministries.com and order the dvd's. CAN YOU HANDLE THE TRUTH IS QUESTION. We talk about religious institutions that brain wash us and etc but never consider that hIP hOP does the very same thing. This is the TRUTH: we are sinful and in need of Jesus to save us form the wrath to come, not to mention we are foolish and stupid.

I wonder how people identified themselves during those times? Especially, since back then there weren't the political geographical lines drawn to mark "Africa", "Middle East" etc...

May Yahweh Have Mercy on Kanye and us� idiotic simple minded lost souls growing more rebellious everyday not knowing Judgement Day is on it�s way and we better start to Pray !

Yes �Jesus� is Black, No he is not �Jewish�, he is Hebrew, Black People are the original Hebrews (and fallen angels) now turned slaves because we turned away from the Torah (The Law) and became full of ourselves like Nimrod (and Kanye) � the only candidate for �Black Jesus� to me is Yahweh Ben Yahweh (this is my opinion, maybe one day real conscious b-boys & seekers of truth will dig deep enough and start talking about the real issues... like why be a black muslim when they (moors)persecuted the "black Hebrews" and sold them to white people )

this article is stupid. Jesus was born in the middle east. Would you call middle eastern men white?

all of you guys are idiots... "original hebrews" "black jesus"... black people will never stop thinking that the world is racist and not realize the truth: it is - deal with it... the jews were almost exterminated, north korean citizens are put under opression under their own government, blood diamonds, africans are enslaved in africa by africans - where's your bleeding heart for them; its a point where there is no compassion but rather lazy people looking for excuses for their setbacks and not working ardently to promote their seeds... i mean look at the asians.. they were persecuted hardcore when they first started immigrating into the US and they worked hard and opened up business and raised their children well who grow up to go to good schools and get sucessful jobs to put them in positions of power - the positions "white" people in who "persecute" you. jesus was a jew. but he didn't die for the jews he died for everyone so what kind of superficial, shallow, ignorant fool would so heavily scrutinize on his race as reasoning behind some sort of racial supremist. by doing so, a generation who brought up MLK and Malcolm X are becoming just like those they were prosecuting; stop your bitching.

Maybe Jesus will come back next time as a rainbow and then everyone will be happy. Is there a Chinese Jesus too...maybe Yao Ming will do the next cover of Sports Illustrated with a crown on his head.

If you are hung up on the color of Jesus's skin then I think you have lost the entire message that He brought to us 2000 years ago. Jesus took our sins away...does it really matter how the suns ray refracted light from his face?

Style I like your comment, but sorry to dissapoint you dude Jesus's second coming won't be as a rainbow.
It's hard to believe that some people would have a problem with the Rolling Stones cover, they put a mocary of how one should act or judge for ones success in the craziest fashion in society. I believe Kanye West was persuading to pay gratitude to a higher power, our Lord Jesus Christ. People should'nt think of Jesus facial features either. Love you're brother while you still can.

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL ARTICLE. KEEP IT UP ROSA. WE NEED THE TRUTH.

syroj542@newschool.edu

damn that was a funny comment, style. i like your style.

I would like to think that Kanye in thorns is a powerful social statement but it’s really the same old hip hop MC self-absorption spiral. Once you literally think that you are the greatest ever..there is still one dude in your way and that’s Jesus.

P Diddy was on a cross in a video, Nas had an album called God’s Son and wanted to be on a cross on the cover, now Kanye is doing the Jesus thing.

It’s adolescent and sad example of the lack of reality in these people’s lives.

"From the moment I was placed under this religious institution, I was put in a situation where my savior would never look like me."

Why should he look like you. Does each "race" get their own Jesus?

"For me Jesus Christ was a white men with blond hair and blue eyes."

150,000 some-odd images of Jesus on Google Images; I can't find a Blonde one.

"Much of my high-school years were spent going to church..."

This woman just can't write. Even if she wen't to church 3 times a week...

"...and confessing my teenage sins to a white man..."

Right, a Latina Jesus would be better for confessing sins.

"...who would absolve me of those sins and tell me to pray to a white women(virgin mary)..."

Again, always pray to God's of your own race.

"While reading the teachings of Jesus Christ, not the King James version of the Bible, I have learned what I believe is the truth of this person. and understand the fullness of him as a man in a specific historical time. An African revolutionary, who walked with the dispossessed."

There's no consensus amongst historians that Jesus even existed.

"...and preceded to call him and the magazine..."

PROceded

"...many white christians whom..."

WHO

"...revisionist history of whom Jesus was."

WHO!

"...liberate million of minds who everyday see the lord and savior as a white boy..."

Really? A "boy"? Ah, the old 'fight racism with racism' routine.

" So once again brother Kanye West has used the mainstream media to shake up white America, score 2 for Hip-Hop culture."

Well I hope you're enjoying your little race war.

People make way too much of this. I suppose since I'm not Christian I don't get it, however, since Lennon musicians have been getting mileage from the Jesus comparisons. BFD. I was more huffed by the Ali comparison inside the article. As a musician, your praises are based on objective criteria. As an athlete, it's almost all subjective. One thing I suppose West/the photographer were getting at is West's Ali like ability to sing his own praises.

Im not goin to get mean, or curse or anything because its about god, but I think Kanye shoudent be posing as god, I mean Kanye might see it as he the god of hiphop, but hes not Kanye is trash, and is nothing, he is a waste of time, hes albums are wack, Hes style is wack wearin tight jeans and tight pink muscle shirts, and we know he has no muscle at all! Kanye is just a cocky little kid and needs too go back where he came from. Kanye ur not a god, stick too ur day job and go make crappy albums and songs. HOLLa!

Im not goin to get mean, or curse or anything because its about god, but I think Kanye shoudent be posing as god, I mean Kanye might see it as he the god of hiphop, but hes not Kanye is trash, and is nothing, he is a waste of time, hes albums are wack, Hes style is wack wearin tight jeans and tight pink shirts and we know he has no muscle at all! Kanye is just a cocky little kid and needs too go back where he came from. Kanye ur not a god, stick too ur day job and go make crappy albums and songs. HOLLa!

1. To those commenting that the cover is about Kanye's ego: Is that really how a magazine cover works? An artist tells Rolling Stone (probably the most preeminent music mag aside from Billboard) that his ego has concocted a cover and the Rolling Stone staff says, "okay!"
If you think that's how a magazine cover works, you are either heavily motivated by hate of Kanye West or extremely naive. This was not about Kanye's ego.

2. While we're on the topic of Kanye's ego, if Kanye is just using Jesus as popular figure who he wants to replace the face of - why did he do the "Jesus Walks" video with a WHITE ACTOR portraying Jesus (Yeshua for those who know) walking with him and protecting him from harm?

3. Kanye has certainly made alot of money doing "party tracks", "posse cuts", "love songs" (including You Don't Know my Name by Alicia Keys), "emcee braggadocio" and other types of songs. If it was just about his ego, he could've made a braggadocia track talking about how he's better than Jesus, and how he can rap better than Jesus, and how he's got a better gold "Jesus Piece" than Jesus. Kirk Franklin became very successful making "party tracks" about Jesus. BUT KANYE DIDN'T DO THAT - instead he made a thought provoking, "sit down and listen" type track about Jesus, in an industry and time, where it was "not cool" to talk about God or Jesus. Kanye was chosen for this magazine cover because of his passion for hiphop music, but more importantly because he has proven that he will continually put his passion for Jesus before his success in music.

4. My final note: At the beginning of "Jesus Walks", he says, "most importantly, we are at war with ourselves". In other words, spirituality is about making this world a better place by making YOURSELF BETTER FIRST. Jesus didn't go around pointing fingers at people for being different - he pointed to a greater realm, beyond the flesh, and certainly beyond pointing fingers at other people.
Kanye talks about conflicts of his ego, materialixm, sexual impulses, etc. in his music and with the press. He doesn't cast stones at others, he understands others by trying to understand himself.

The cover image shouldn't be read, "Kanye thinks he's God". It's more like, "Kanye realizes that Christ's message was for every human to try to be as Christlike as possible" it is less a physical issue as it is a metaphor for the SPIRITUAL resemblance of everyday people striving to reach their potential and realize WE ARE ALL Children of God.

I am a black man and I grew up similar to how you have. But around age 16 I questioned my pastor about it and he explained that Jesus was not black, white, hispanic or any other race besides Jewish. I of course think it is wrong to only portray Jesus as blonde and blue eyed but it says in the Bible that Jesus was Jewish and I accept that because it is God's word. Not the words of stereotypical white pastors or overzealous black panthers but it's the truth.

PS He probably had dark skin and eyes, so he at least looked more black than white.

Praise the lord, .
I would like you to see a couple of facts before you conclude
1: the 5 % (five- percent Nation) are an occult
they Hate GOD, and denouce faith, they dont even follow Islamic Laws in which the organization sprang from, Hip Hop (jay z, kanye west)in general believe in the SELF- God,
Hip Hop is the voice of the organization...

2: Hip Hop is a Religion,
it is registered under the US Congress as such
it promotes and denegrates (just look at it...)
it is trying to come into the church with thier doctrines....

3. as a former listener and SAVED Man,
i witnessed all the demonic and harmfulness it provides, kanye is not doing a good job, of his dipiction its actually blaspheme,

check out ZULUNATION. com to see false idoltry and the glorification to other dieties, be careful
its harmful and offensive if you are saved
and TEMPLEOFHIPHOP.com where its prophets teach this hip hop thing as a religion
warning its harmful cuz' its against GOD and His Word spread this message.....befor your church falls victim to it.

Thank You
GOD bless

Charlton Heston never played Jesus. He was Moses and Ben Hur. Get your facts straight. Second of all, there is a HUGE difference between dressing up as Jesus because you're depicting him in a film, and dressing up as Jesus because you think you're Jesus, like Kanye. Don't get me wrong, the guy's talented, but nobody should be even close to that arrogant ( I'm not even talking about the Jesus thing, read the article).

Let me ask you a question? Who is like the LORD? There is no one. I've been reading these articles that was saying that Kanye is GOD. That he's this and that. If he is making his equal with God, then I beleive that something is wrong. God clearly says in the bible that he is the only true and living God and there is no other. Jesus said that there's going to be false-christ, and false-messiahs in these last and evil days. Let Kanye be Kanye; and Let God be God. I'm not trying to judge Kanye. I have a lot of respect for the man as an individual. He has good talent. He's a good rapper. The only thing that I as a Christian will do is to pray for him. IF KANYE THINKS THAT HE IS GOD, THEN I WILL TELL YOU WHAT, THAT ONE OF THOSE GODS IS UNNESSERSARY! One is a false-god. WHICH GOD DO YOU SERVE? CHOOSE THIS DAY, WHOM WILL YOU SERVE? AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSEHOLD WE WILL SERVE THE LORD(Joshua 24:15)! About Jesus color, I beleive that while he was on the earth, he was a color man. If people would just read the word of God. The countries that are in the bible are NOT EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. Jesus and his earthly mother Mary had African blood running heavily in their veins. God started the civilization with the EAST, AND NOT THE WEST. Since Jesus is NOW at the right hand of the Father in heaven, if you understand what I'm saying that Jesus carries the complete DNA genetic composite of humanity in a glorified body. He can appear as a Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, African, Arab, Indian, Caucasian at any time he chooses. Jesus's disciple and Mary did not recognize Jesus after his resurrection because he appeared to them in different forms. Mary thought that he was the gardener (John 20:11-18). God detest drawing pictures and carving sculptures of him because they are graven images that does not include the image of every person (Acts 17:29-30), Deuteronomy 4:12-16). Consequently, only one race can relate to the male idol that Christians have given to the world as their god. Pictures drawn to portray Jesus to the world are wrong. You are created in the image and likness of God. So we have to see ourselves in him. AMEN!

I would like to thank Michael for his intelligent comments. Your ability to discern truth in the light of hysterical rhetoric is admirable. The article is compelling but it is one person's opinion. All have a right to disagree, but I find that only the laziest minds look at the 'obvious' and run with it.

I think Kanye has done a great job just because you are discussing it! He's got a reaction out of alot of people and that is all that matters.

Point!
Kanye in the Jesus Walks video
1. Does not talk about the salvation, the very basis of Christ, all he does is talk about his crime and sin filled life and says that he hopes Jesus walks with him whilst he commits those very acts for which Christ died.

2. In the video he says that Jesus walks with him but Jesus is FOLLOWING Kanye not leading him as should be the case. If anything at all Jesus should be leading Kanye not vice-versa, and that depiction in itself is enough to constitute blasphemy.

Trying to depict himself with imagery associated with Christ's persecution and death is heading him nowhere fast.

Somebody please tell Kanye not to use the Lord as a springboard to success.

I used to be heavily involved in the hip-hop culture to the point were i almost converted to becoming a 5%. For those that don't know, do research. The hip-hop community deliberatly does things to discredit or make people question their religions. Do some research on KRS-1. Other than a MC is is a hip-hop historian. Read some of the things he says. Listen to what you favorite MC is saying. The culture of hip-hop and Christ does not mix. Jesus saved people not cultures. As far as Kanye goes it is no doubt in my mind that is wrong, but if he ask, God will forgive him, so should you. Jesus color does not matter. Will you be all that concerned with his color when he returns.
Peace and Blessings

I read your comments and i agree to what your say except the part when you say kanye corny. I mean truthfully i like him but that my opinion. He shoudnt try to compare his self to Jesus becaue knowone can be completely like him, not even if they wanted to. So him trying to get on jesus level was out of line. but know one critizes the actors for playing as jesus, especially when they represent him all wrong if your trying to get realistic the come with the truth. I'm christian to the fulliest and what ever color he would have been would have been fine with me because i love him not just his color. In a way kanye just trying to shout it loud that jesus is black because we have so many lies that been told, but he went about it the wrong way. Look we know his color but we dont exactly know the image of his face.So drawing a picture an worshiping it doesnt make it any better. I just want the truth to come out and for people to stop beind so damn ignorant...

ARE YA SERIOUS??? C'mon man!! Does it matter what color Jesus was. I understand that blacks went through hell throughout history but c'mon we, as black worry about our race to much man. We shouldnt worry about wat color he was. we need to focus on what he came here to do and how we should apply it to our lifestyles. Kanye is really taking it to another level!! As a "Christian" he knows better not to portray himself as christ! People that werent even christians were saying stuff lyke " Oh man dat nigga is buggin, B!!" How can Kanye have 1 song tryna minister to people than the rest of the 20 and then another saying stuff like "give head stop, Breathe,!! Im surprised at him sayin stuff like "jesus Walks" then portraying himself as the one he claim walks!! MAKE UP YOUR MIND KANYE!!!!

L-matic Productions

Peace be unto you all. I've been reading a little of everybody's comment's reguarding Kanye's song/video Jesus Walks, I just want to say this to those who made comments positive or negative. First, I applaud him for being couragous enough to present a topic for enjoyment,entertainment,education and awareness. Music videos for the most part are entertainment these days, but during the golden age of Hip-Hop (1988-1995), the Hip-Hop community was being fully enlightened in regards to the knowledge of self and social awarenss through many different expressions. Now there was some negative things, but for the most part it was positive, educational/enlighting and fun. Those days are pretty much gone, sorry to say.
As you all know there is Gospel Hip- Hop which is positive and inspirational, but in the secular world of Hip-Hop music for an artist/producer to make an attempt to remind us that Hip -Hop does have spirit and can represent a way out of ignorance or darkness and not be classified as gospel is a leap of faith if you will. We have to give Kanye credit. Common,Kanye,Mos Def,Talib and really a host of underground Emcee's and dj's old and new, are still coming with some wonderful positive music. The topic of Kanye being a represntitve of Christ or even mentioning the Christ is controversial only to those who don't consider the righteous way at all. The Rolling Stone cover depicts Kanye as Christ in image,but historicaly if we read and are taught right knowledge we know that Jesus or Isa or Yahshua was an Original black man. We also know that Rolling Stone magazine is not owned by black people. Kanye is using his influence to allow us to look at alot of things differently this is good in my opinion. At the same time we have to remember that aritsts sometimes contradict themselves. In Kanye case he's a gemini so he's blessed and cursed(you can laugh now). There is so much more I can say about him and others I could go on for day's so until next time, I greet you all in peace!!!

kanye is a egotystical person. if he wants to think he is god let him.other celebrities woudnt even stoop down to his level.he needs to grow up and listen to what he is saying.i dont care what colour jesus is, i just cared of what jesus taught.kanye is not god!!!

kanye is a egotystical person. if he wants to think he is god let him.other celebrities woudnt even stoop down to his level.he needs to grow up and listen to what he is saying.i dont care what colour jesus is, i just cared of what jesus taught.kanye is not god!!!

I havnt bothred reading some of the posts coz they pathetic. Jesus wasnt white neither is he black. The Lord is a Jew which most of you guys forget. Loads of people repping the hip hop culture see him as black when he was born a jew which is a wheatish complextion. What good is it to an individual to percieve Jesus as their own race when he was never that race. These people arnt real christians and lack faith in the bible for which they questions it in a stupid manor and bring up questions and beliefs that Jesus was black, he was white etc. Colour does not matter but as you guys brought this topid up he was at a wheatish complextion and was from Israel and was a Jew and is the Saviour of all of us christians. Amen

" taught right knowledge we know that Jesus or Isa or Yahshua was an Original black man."

jesus was not black,get over it.he wasnt a white man either.he was infact jewish.jewish people are usually light complexion with either black,light to dark brown and sometimes red hair.jesus did not look in now way shape or form anything like a black man.

" taught right knowledge we know that Jesus or Isa or Yahshua was an Original black man."

jesus was not black,get over it.he wasnt a white man either.he was infact jewish.jewish people are usually light complexion with either black,light to dark brown and sometimes red hair.jesus did not look in now way shape or form anything like a black man.

This is bull, at some point every man has to be held accountable for his beliefs and realize what the bible says and not what the Catholic Church or any other church says.You can explore any version of the bible you want and in not one of them does it describe Jesus as white with blue eyes, so Kanye should stop hiding behind the church and turning this into a black/white issue. THE WORD IS THE WORD, and through that and accepting Christ comes salvation.

As far as I see, christianity did not spread through out the middle east and northern Africa, Islam. Christianity, I believe, spread through out europe and the mediterranean during the early centuries. One has to ask himself, if Jesus was black, do you think white people (early europeans) would want to listen to him? As far as I know, racism was still alive during those days. Come on. Quit it with all this, jesus was black, jesus was white stuff. Do you care what color the person was who saved you? Yes its true that blacks have been persecuted through out history, but they werent the only ones....

And about kanye. hes kewl, like his music, most of it at least, n its kewl that he had the balls to place Jesus onto mainstream. But his song "Jesus Walks", as far as I can see, hasnt made the world any better. You dont see people flocking to church cuz Jesus was on MTV. But as I see it, no matter what anyone does or says, it will never make them equals with Jesus. I wonder what it would be like if some singer or rapper tried to portray the prophet Muhammad saying they were his equal....

As far as I see, christianity did not spread through out the middle east and northern Africa, Islam. Christianity, I believe, spread through out europe and the mediterranean during the early centuries. One has to ask himself, if Jesus was black, do you think white people (early europeans) would want to listen to him? As far as I know, racism was still alive during those days. Come on. Quit it with all this, jesus was black, jesus was white stuff. Do you care what color the person was who saved you? Yes its true that blacks have been persecuted through out history, but they werent the only ones....

And about kanye. hes kewl, like his music, most of it at least, n its kewl that he had the balls to place Jesus onto mainstream. But his song "Jesus Walks", as far as I can see, hasnt made the world any better. You dont see people flocking to church cuz Jesus was on MTV. But as I see it, no matter what anyone does or says, it will never make them equals with Jesus. I wonder what it would be like if some singer or rapper tried to portray the prophet Muhammad saying they were his equal....