Jesus didn't give easy answers

A striking opinion piece in the LA Times gives an interesting view of how the media approaches Christianity today -- set pieces much preferred over actual religion.

Broadcast media prefer to cast Christianity in the role of "right-wing values PAC" because it's so neat and tidy. They don't much like even to say the name Jesus on air because then we might have to talk about his ideas.

Sometimes I think that those evangelical preachers who get all the press would prefer not to talk about his ideas either, at least, not those that can't be presented in black and white, which leaves out quite a bit.

The Jesus who speaks in the Gospels is nothing like the fuming Republican Jesus I see on TV now. Jesus was a leader who understood that ambiguity and doubt are not to be feared but are, simply, facts of life that a great teacher exploits to guide his followers on their own paths toward conviction and belief.

The writer even quotes a parable whose message is not clear, and points out that the lessons of the Beatitudes are not as simple as the instructions of the Ten Commandments. I recommend the whole thing, no matter your personal take on religion.

(via This Modern World)